Live Music. Wednesday Nights.
On the banks of the Rock River at Burpee, we present different artists each week! Relax and enjoy food and drink with friends and family at out beautiful outdoor theater from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Even if it’s raining – we just move the party inside!
2026 Music on the Rock Lineup
Click a date to see more information:
Sponsored by:
George & Diane Wilhelmsen
Susan Martin
David Rosik & Allison Butler-Rosik
Joe & Jeanette Geraghty
Gifts In-Kind:
Catered by:
June 3, 2026
Ivy Ford
Known as The Blues Kitten, serving an experience of music to soothe your soul & fill your heart. As a multi-instrumentalist, including electric guitar, Ivy Ford holds her own and entertains her audience and listeners. Ivy Ford is versatile, talented, and an old soul. From singing the blues to being sultry, she is an indigo artist whose gift connects those who are around her and those who listen. Whether leading a full band or serenading a small audience solo on stage, Ivy Ford commands a most magical energy. “Miss Ivy is a heel-struttin, red-lipstick-wearin”’ and refreshing entertainer, while staying true to the roots of music.”
June 10, 2026
Marty Big Dog Mercer Band
A towering presence in both stature and sound, Marty “Big Dog” Mercer is a commanding force in the modern blues scene. Inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame in 2016, Mercer has spent nearly two decades delivering authentic, high-energy Chicago blues and rock to audiences across the Midwest and beyond.
Known for his signature Southpaw Blues guitar style and a voice shaped by real-life experience, Mercer blends aggressive, soulful guitar work with lyrics that speak directly to the human condition. His powerful stage presence and larger-than-life personality draw audiences in from the first note and never let go.
Delmark Records has aptly described Marty “Big Dog” Mercer as “pure Chicago blues.”
Their latest release, Live at the Roxy, earned a nomination for Best Self-Produced Album of the Year, capturing the raw energy and passion of their live show.
In 2026, Mercer advanced to the semifinals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the finest blues acts from around the world, further solidifying their place among today’s standout blues artists.
June 17, 2026
Mississippi Heat
Led by harmonica master and songwriter Pierre Lacocque, Mississippi Heat is a world-class Chicago Blues Band. Their motto is “Traditional Blues With A Unique Sound” as they present fresh yet vintage-based musical ideas.
MISSISSIPPI HEAT’s name is a reflection of Pierre’s reverence for Mississippi’s blues culture and music. The band’s conviction is that there is no deeper music than Delta-inspired blues to express what lies in everyone’s soul. They have received worldwide critical acclaim, including from Living Blues Magazine: “MISSISSIPPI HEAT delivers its traditional urban blues with a freshness, energy, and competence that makes them a treasure on today’s Chicago scene.”
The band has made waves on the blues charts by regularly reaching the #1 spot on Living Blues Magazine’s radio charts.
June 24, 2026
Cash Box Kings
The Cash Box Kings, according to Living Blues magazine, “are one of the best blues bands in the land.” The group, co-led by real-deal Chicago blues vocalist and songwriter Oscar “Mr. 43rd Street” Wilson, and Madison, Wisconsin-based songwriter, harmonica giant and singer Joe Nosek, plays masterfully raw, unvarnished, old-school ensemble blues. No matter where The Cash Box Kings perform, they bring the music to fuel the party. The Cash Box Kings don’t merely pay homage to the past, they bring tradition into the present [and deliver] a rollicking good time. Between Wilson’s natural blues vocal power and Nosek’s talent at wringing every last drop of emotion from his harmonica, The Cash Box Kings never fail to wow their longtime fans while earning new ones at every gig.
Wonderful Wednesdays Theme and Class: Touch! Paint What You Hear
July 1, 2026
Reverend Raven and the CSABs with Westside Andy Linderman
Born and raised in the Englewood neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. The Reverend has been playing the blues since 1971 he first saw Freddy King play at the Kinetic Theatre in Chicago. After 15 15-year hitch in the Navy, Chief Raven moved to Milwaukee, where he began a long friendship and collaboration with Madison Slim, long-time harmonica player for Jimmy Rogers. The Reverend was the Wisconsin Music Industry (WAMI) award for best blues band in 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, and again in 2015. The band has been voted the Best Blues Band in Milwaukee by The Shepherd Express Reader’s Poll in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. Westside Andy Linderman has been the band’s featured harmonica player since 2015. He’s played over 10,000 gigs over some 45 years.
July 8, 2026
Tom Holland Band
Tom Holland grew up on Chicago’s south side and was influenced by the city’s rich jazz and blues heritage from a very young age. His father’s love of music and vast record collection was the catalyst for Tom’s love of music, especially blues. He began playing guitar at age 13, learning by listening to Muddy Waters tapes, LPs, and CDs. Tom cites Muddy Waters, Earl Hooker, John Primer and Magic Slim as his greatest influences. With over 24 years of stage experience under his belt, Tom Holland is, without a doubt one of the finest purveyors of classic Chicago Blues guitar styles.
July 15, 2026
Sean McKee
Sean McKee, born march 26th 1996 in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is a singer songwriter and guitarist with a passion for music from the past, vintage guitars and classic cars.
At the age of 8, Sean inherited a drumset from his grandfather. able to play very simplistic beats by ear, he became fascinated with playing music. Although wanting to play drums, his father bought him an electric guitar, a gesture that seemed like a way to control the noise.. However by his mid teens, Sean would be plugging into his ’71 Fender Super Reverb and cranking it up so loud that neighbors could hear it up to 2 blocks away.
July 22, 2026
Win Noll & The Rockin’ Souls
Win Noll has a commanding stage presence and a voice that carries the raw, soulful power of the great blues shouters. She possesses the rare ability to command a room the moment she steps onto the stage, blending a deep respect for tradition with a modern, high-octane energy. From gritty Chicago blues to soaring soul and rock-infused anthems, Win slides through genres with a natural authority and a fiery spirit that keeps audiences on their feet.
A decorated staple of the Chicago music scene, Win Noll & The Rockin’ Souls have earned their stripes at legendary venues like Buddy Guy’s Legends and Rosa’s Lounge, famously winning the Chicago Blues Challenge. Win has spent years refining her craft alongside the city’s finest musicians, bringing a lifetime of immersion in blues culture to every performance. As an ambassador for the soulful side of the city, she has become a celebrated figure in the legacy of women in blues. Whether headlining a premier blues club or rocking an outdoor festival stage, Win Noll delivers a sophisticated, house-burning performance that is pure Chicago soul.
July 29, 2026
John Primer
As the bandleader and lead guitarist for Jr. Wells & Sammy Lawhorn, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Magic Slim & The Teardrops, John Primer’s virtuosity as a blues musician was forged by legends.
John started playing for tips on Maxwell Street, the birthplace of Chicago blues, and soon became the house bandleader at the infamous Theresa’s Lounge for seven years alongside Sammy Lawhorn, Junior Wells, James Cotton, and many others.
Having played or recorded with a who’s who of blues greats including Gary Clark Jr., Derek Trucks, Johnny Winter, and Buddy Guy to name a few, John Primer’s personal accolades, including Lifetime Achievement Awards, reflect his countless contributions to the history of the blues.
There are very few blues fans, critics or musicians who will deny the fact that John Primer is the real deal.
Aug 5, 2026
Chris O’Leary
Chris’s musical background includes duties as lead singer and front man for rock and roll hall of famer and Grammy award winner Levon Helm’s band, The Barnburners. During the 6 years that Chris and Levon played together they toured across the US and Canada lighting up stages everywhere they went. Chris has appeared on stage with: Legendary Rolling Stones sideman Bobby Keys, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmy Vivino, Jeff Healy, Dan Akroyd, Albert Lee, Dave Edmunds, Dave Maxwell and the great James Cotton to name just a few. Chris has also recorded with Bill Perry and Hubert Sumlin, among others. The Chris O’Leary Band’s debut CD “Mr. Used to Be” won the 2011 Best New Artist Debut CD Blues Blast Award and was nominated for best new artist debut at the 2011 American Blues Music Awards.
August 12, 2026
The Jimmys
Founded in 2009 by Hammond B-3 keyboardist Jimmy Voegeli, The Jimmys are a Madison, Wisconsin-based blues and R&B powerhouse recognized for high-energy performances and a veteran horn section. With over 30 accolades, including multiple Madison Area Music Association (MAMA) “Artist of the Year” and “Blues Performer of the Year” awards, they have established a decorated career spanning five albums and international touring.
The Jimmys are celebrated for their high-energy “gumbo” of musical styles, blending raw Chicago Blues with second-line New Orleans funk, soul, and raucous rock-n-roll. Their signature sound is built on a foundation of “greasy” guitars, “funky” keys, and a rock-solid rhythm section, all punctuated by what is often called the best horn section in the Midwest. The band creates a vibrant, party-like atmosphere that spans from slow, low-down blues to uptempo swing. This “powerhouse aggregation” is known for its showmanship and infectious enthusiasm, consistently keeping crowds on their feet with a repertoire of strong, original songs.
August 19, 2026
Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials
In Chicago, a city overflowing with unrivaled blues talent, world-renowned Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials have been standing tall for over 30 years. The band’s big sound, fueled by Lil’ Ed’s gloriously rollicking slide work and deep blues string bending, along with his rough-edged, soulful vocals, is as real and hard-hitting as Chicago blues gets. The Chicago Sun-Times says, “Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials are the hottest purveyors of bottleneck boogie to come out of Chicago since Hound Dog Taylor.”
Lil’ Ed Williams comes to the blues naturally. His uncle, Chicago slide guitar king and master songwriter J.B. Hutto, taught him how to feel, not just play the blues. Nine albums and thousands of performances later, Lil’ Ed is now universally hailed as a giant of the genre. Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials —bassist (and Ed’s half-brother) James “Pookie” Young, guitarist Mike Garrett and drummer Kelly Littleton— have remained together for over 30 years —an extraordinary feat for any group—, the band fueling Ed’s songs with their rock-solid, road-tested, telepathic musicianship.