2025 HEADLINERS
CHERYL WHEELER WITH SPECIAL GUEST KENNY WHITE
Sunday, April 6, 7 – 8:30 PM
from the Tucson Folk Festival Plaza Stage!
“Rare artist…strong poetry, complex melodies, clever wit.“ – SingOut! –
Cheryl Wheeler is a performer of striking contrasts—part poet, part comic, with each side vying for the audience’s attention. As a songwriter, she crafts some of the most beautiful, thoughtful ballads in modern folk music. As a performer, she keeps audiences laughing with sharp, hilarious observations and stories that make each show a unique experience. Her songs have been covered by icons like Dan Seals, Peter, Paul & Mary, Garth Brooks, and Bette Midler, yet Cheryl’s live performances are unmatched in their spontaneity and charm.
She’ll be joined by pianist and singer-songwriter Kenny White, an artist with an uncanny ability to stir laughter and introspection within a single song. Known for his clever lyrics and impressive piano skills, White has shared the stage with legends like Stephen Stills, Judy Collins, and Peter Wolf. Together, Wheeler and White promise an evening of heart, humor, and exceptional musicianship.
ORKESTA MENDOZA
Saturday, April 5, 8 – 9:30PM
from the Tucson Folk Festival Plaza Stage!
“Sergio Mendoza is probably my favorite musician of this time. He has the cumbia and mambo in his DNA, but he has the power to make it sound like today.” – Camilo Lara, Mexican Institute of Sound –
Sergio Mendoza & Orkesta Mendoza deliver a thrilling, genre-bending experience that melds Indie Rock with Latin rhythms like mambo, cumbia, and ranchera. Rooted in the vibrant sounds of the Arizona-Sonora borderlands, Mendoza’s music pays homage to tradition while fearlessly pushing into contemporary landscapes. With each performance, the Orkesta brings a big-band energy that gets audiences dancing to its infectious, cross-cultural beats.
Raised in Ambos Nogales, Mendoza’s musical journey is deeply connected to the borderlands that shaped him. His work includes collaborations with Los Ángeles Azules, Calexico, and Mexican Institute of Sound, with projects spanning everything from cumbia tributes to co-productions like Edge of the Sun and El Mirador. The band’s latest release continues to amplify the voices and sounds of the Southwest while resonating with listeners across the globe.
Join Sergio Mendoza & Orkesta Mendoza for an electrifying night of rhythm, soul, and Tucson pride, featuring powerhouse vocalist and percussionist Ozzy Acosta.
HEAVY DIAMOND RING
Saturday, April 5, 5 – 5:45PM
from the Tucson Folk Festival Plaza Stage!
“Heavy Diamond Ring creates a sound that feels as classic as rolling down the windows in the summer – a super highway to a new frontier.“ – 303 Magazine –
Some things are just meant to last. When Sarah Anderson and Paul DeHaven first began making music together in 2004, they couldn’t have predicted the depth and longevity of their musical connection. After the beloved indie-folk band Paper Bird disbanded, the duo founded Heavy Diamond Ring—and haven’t looked back since.
HDR delivers a rich, modern Americana sound: open-hearted, harmony-driven folk-rock with a touch of grit. Their music has been called “open-road, long drive music,” featuring “a little bitta twang, and a whole lotta beef.” Led by Anderson’s smooth-as-honey vocals and DeHaven’s rugged guitar chops, the band’s live performances are dynamic, infectious, and unforgettable.
The group is rounded out by a stellar rhythm section of Blake Stepan (bass), Mike Lang (keys), and Orion Tate Ignelzi (drums). Their new album, All Out of Angels—out now on Cowboy Cowabunga Recordings—was produced by Ben Wysocki (The Fray) and Mark Anderson and includes a must-hear duet with Nathaniel Rateliff.
ABBIE GARDNER AND MARC DOUGLAS BERARDO
Saturday, April 5, 7 – 7:45PM
from the Tucson Folk Festival Plaza Stage!
“Abbie is not only a first-rate Dobro player but a songwriter to be reckoned with.“
– John Platt, WFUV –
“Berardo takes you to a place within yourself to make changes you want to see in the world.”
– Mary Sue Twohy, The Village, Sirius/XM Radio –
As solo artists, Abbie Gardner and Marc Douglas Berardo have each built dedicated fanbases with their heartfelt songs, engaging performances, and magnetic stage presence. When they come together, the chemistry is undeniable. Their performances are a blend of humor, charm, and genuine camaraderie—inviting audiences into a shared musical experience that’s equal parts fun and moving.
Marc Douglas Berardo is a gifted storyteller, drawing on real-life characters and relatable situations to craft songs with emotional resonance. With a career that has seen him share stages with legends like The Doobie Brothers, Jimmy LaFave, and Martin Sexton, Marc’s music captivates with its wit, wisdom, and authenticity. His newest album, The Beauty of This Now, produced by Ron Flynt and Walt Wilkins, was released in May 2024.
Abbie Gardner, known for her soulful vocals and fiery dobro skills, has earned accolades as a solo performer and as a member of the acclaimed trio Red Molly. Her album Dobro Singer climbed to #11 on the Billboard Blues Charts and #2 on the Folk DJ Charts, receiving high praise from Bluegrass Unlimited and American Songwriter. Her songs of love and loss, delivered with raw honesty and propelled by her signature slide guitar, echo the spirit of Lucinda Williams and Bonnie Raitt while remaining distinctly her own.
Together, Gardner and Berardo offer a performance that’s both heartwarming and high-energy—a true showcase of musical craftsmanship, humor, and heart.
MISSY ANDERSEN AND HER ONE MAN BAND
Sunday, April 6, 5 – 5:45PM
from the Tucson Folk Festival Plaza Stage!
“If a voice as rich, supple, and vibrant as Missy Andersen’s could come out of a bottle – not that it hasn’t been tried – every blues singer would be dripping deep soul.” – Dave Rubin, Author & Journalist –
Missy Andersen & Her One Man Band bring a contemporary twist to the roots of American music, blending Soul, Blues, Gospel, R&B, Country, and Jazz into a sound that’s both fresh and timeless. This dynamic New Mexico-based husband-and-wife duo delivers a live performance that captivates audiences through compelling storytelling, Missy’s soulful, powerhouse vocals, and Heine’s percussive, rhythmic guitar that fills the room like a full band.
The duo has toured across the US, Europe, and Mexico, sharing stages with legends like Los Lobos, Mavis Staples, Taj Mahal, Ruthie Foster, and Brian Setzer. Twice nominated for Best Female Soul Blues Artist at the Blues Music Awards, Missy Andersen embodies deep soul and vibrant energy that will have you swaying, stomping, and singing along.
SCOTT COOK
Saturday, April 5, 4 – 4:45PM
from the Tucson Folk Festival Plaza Stage!
“As good a modern folkie as we have these days. A voice perfect for the genre. An understanding beyond the norm.– No Depression –
Since 2007, Canadian troubadour Scott Cook has been living the life of a modern-day folk musician—one song, one road, and one heartfelt performance at a time. What started as a leap from teaching kindergarten in Taiwan to living in a minivan has blossomed into a career spanning seven albums, hundreds of stages, and thousands of connections with audiences across the globe. His plainspoken, keenly observant lyrics shine a light on life’s simple truths, with songs that resonate like well-worn folk tales passed through generations.
Scott’s latest release, Tangle of Souls, came packaged in a 240-page cloth-bound book filled with road stories and reflections on life’s joys and challenges. The album hit #1 on Alberta’s CKUA radio network, landed him a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination, and produced the acclaimed single “Say Can You See”, which topped folk radio charts in 2020 and earned accolades from songwriting competitions in the UK and the US.
Joined by his sweetheart Pamela Mae on upright bass and harmonies, Scott’s live performances are warm, engaging, and unforgettably human. From solar-powered livestreams in their campervan “Roadetta” to festival stages across North America, Europe, and Australia, Scott and Pamela invite audiences to sing along, reflect deeply, and, above all, feel part of a larger, kinder world.
In 2025, they’ll release Troubadourly Yours—an album sure to continue Cook’s tradition of crafting music as medicine for the soul.
TESORO
Sunday, April 6, 3 – 3:45PM
from the Tucson Folk Festival Plaza Stage!
“Tesoro creates music that not only mesmerizes the audience but captivates even the most sophisticated flamenco purists and enthusiasts with their unique sound. They will make you want to jump out of your seat and dance.” – Tempo Magazine / The Taos News –
Tesoro is one of Arizona’s most dynamic and captivating live acts, blending the fiery passion of rumba flamenco with the infectious energy of rock, funk, and jazz. Known for their stunning Spanish guitar work and irresistible rhythms, Tesoro’s sound draws comparisons to legends like the Gipsy Kings, Jesse Cook, and Rodrigo y Gabriela—yet their innovative compositions and arrangements make their music unmistakably their own.
With performances ranging from intimate gatherings to massive festivals like SXSW, Tesoro has shared the stage with artists like Calexico, Los Lobos, and Del Castillo. Whether delivering a soulful instrumental or a high-energy, crowd-moving anthem, Tesoro’s shows are an experience you won’t want to miss.
LAS AZALEAS
Saturday, April 5, 12 – 12:45PM
from the Tucson Folk Festival Plaza Stage!
“Las Azaleas captivate audiences with mariachi, boleros, and tropical music, performing with a passion that honors the pioneering women of Latin music.”– BorderLore –
Las Azaleas is Tucson’s premier mariachi-inspired, all-woman ensemble, delivering soulful renditions of boleros, tropical rhythms, and timeless classics popularized by Latina music pioneers. With soaring harmonies, virtuosic instrumentation, and captivating stage presence, they pay tribute to icons like Selena, Natalia Lafourcade, Rocío Dúrcal, and María Grever, while infusing each performance with their own signature sound.
Led by vocalist and mariachi educator Diana Olivares, Las Azaleas are more than a band—they’re a celebration of women’s contributions to Latin music. Their performances are rich with emotion, cultural pride, and infectious energy, reminding audiences of the enduring power of tradition and the joy of live music.
From intimate gatherings to grand stages, Las Azaleas will have you singing along, swaying to the rhythms, and feeling the heartbeat of mariachi deep in your soul.
D FAKTION NYNE
Saturday, April 5, 1 – 1:45PM
from the Tucson Folk Festival Plaza Stage!
Founded as a means to heal through music, D Faktion Nyne is a multi-generational family band that gives deeper meaning to the term “family.” Performing Waila—a vibrant Tohono O’odham folk music that blends Chotis, Mazurkas, Wailas, Kwaliyas, and Cumbias—this family has found strength, unity, and joy through both tragedy and triumph.
Led by father Damon Enriquez, whose musical journey began with his grandfather and now continues through mentoring over 150 high school and middle school students, the band features four brothers, two sisters, and their dad playing with no rules, no boundaries—just fun and passion. In the social spirit of Waila, their music brings people and cultures together in a way that’s impossible to resist.
FAMILY SHOW HEADLINER
BRUCE PHILLIPS FAMILY SHOW
Sunday April 6, 2:00 PM
from the Tucson Folk Festival Wildflower Stage!
Bruce Phillips is back! After playing the family show for the 20th anniversary of the Tucson Folk Festival, he’s returning to help celebrate the big 4-0! A beloved children’s musician, educator, entertainer, and songwriter, Bruce has spent over 30 years bringing joy to kids (and the grown-ups who love them) from coast to coast. Whether strumming a silly song, sparking imaginations, or getting little feet dancing, Bruce makes music fun for the whole family. Don’t miss his special performance as we honor the legacy of the Tucson Folk Festival—past, present, and future!
DESERT MUSEUM FAMILY BAND
Saturday April 5, 3:00 PM
from the Tucson Folk Festival Wildflower Stage!
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum teams up with local musicians for a dynamic nature-themed jam! Come on a musical journey as we celebrate what makes our Sonoran Desert home such a special place. Sing, dance, & learn with original music in English & Spanish performed by Education Specialist, Michelle Constanza Miner – featuring Syndenn Sweet (Hanner House Records), Brother Bear Eli (Mr. Nature’s Music Garden), and a Desert Museum dancing saguaro. Now that’s edutainment!
SONGWRITING COMPETITION CLOSER
FOX AND BONES
Friday, April 4, 8:30 PM
from the Tucson Folk Festival Plaza Stage!
Scott Gilmore and Sarah Vitort are Fox and Bones—energetic offbeat folksters with a retro pop-rock bent who have been setting the world alight with a handclapping, foot-stomping good time since 2016. The indomitable duo has brought their optimistic Americana polish to international stages shared with the likes of Rayland Baxter, The Dead South, ZZ Ward, The Talbott Brothers and Horse Feathers among others. Winners of the 2023 Tucson Folk festival Stefan George Memorial Songwriting Competition.
SONGWRITING COMPETITION OPENER (2024 WINNERS)
ADMIRAL RADIO
Friday, April 4, 6:00 PM
from the Tucson Folk Festival Plaza Stage!
“Admiral Radio is one of those groups that reminds you why you got into the arts in the first place.”– Chris DeVore, Mountain Home, Idaho Arts Council Director –
Inspired by a 1941 wooden Admiral radio, this South Carolina-based duo blends tight harmonies, heartfelt storytelling, and an Americana sound rooted in tradition. Becca and Coty’s performances are timeless and refreshing, with moments of laughter, reflection, and musical magic. Winners of the 2024 Tucson Folk Festival and LEAF NewSong Songwriting Competitions, Admiral Radio invites listeners to gather ‘round for honest, feel-good music.