Augsburg German Band

The Augsburg Band is a premier German band from the Pittsburgh area. Consisting of eight members that have been together for over 15 years, the band travels around western Pennsylvania attending Oktoberfests, clubs, and festivals. The music is a Bavarian style, which seems only fitting due to the band’s roots. Chris Decker, who plays the tuba, keyboard and also sings, was stationed in Augsburg, Germany, with the United States Army. While there, Decker grasped his German ancestry with food, drink, and especially music. Once he returned home to the Uniontown area, impromptu jam sessions of Bavarian music between him and other soon-to-be band members lead to the creation of what is now known as the Augsburg German Band. The upbeat sounds of this band are a favorite at the Coal and Coke Heritage Music Festival.

Brass Knuckles Band

A 10-piece rock variety band from Uniontown plays music from the 1940s to today. Started in 1996, the band consists of professional music educators and several local musicians. Their music includes the sounds of rock, Motown/R&B, oldies, top 40/pop, big band/swing, disco, country, Latin, jazz, and even polkas. The Brass Knuckles Band performs using 22 instruments and eight voices. Instruments include: two guitars, one violin, one accordion, one bass guitar, five saxophones, one flute, four trumpets, one flugelhorn, one trombone, two keyboards, one drum set, and one set of bell chimes.

Bon–Journey

Since 2006, Bon-Journey has been performing hits of musical pop-rock greats Bon Jovi and Journey all over the East Coast at some of the finest clubs and venues to be found. They have also performed at college campuses such as Penn State University, Washington Jefferson, Carlow University, and many others. With three decades of chart-topping hits from both musical performers, the band has a following from young to old.

Chris Higbee Project

Chris Higbee, founder and fiddler of the former band “PovertyNeck Hillbillies,” has started a new venture: The Chris Higbee Project. The band’s debut single, “Break Me Down,” has had national and international success. The band can be described as energetic country rock that gives crowd-pleasing performances wherever they may be. Other members of the band include Higbee’s lifelong friends and a couple of newcomers. Childhood friend and initial lead singer of The PovertyNeck Hillbillies Les Philburn sings some lead vocals and harmonies. Former band mate and friend (from rock band "Drastic Measures") Mark Vinsick plays lead guitar and backup harmonies. Close friend and fellow songwriter Jay McKnight plays bass, lead guitar, and sings backup vocals. Lifelong friend and cousin Troy Williams plays guitar. Larry Shotter, a newcomer from Uniontown, has been playing drums for 12 years and has played in bands all over the area. Lastly, a native to wild and wonderful West Virginia, newcomer Nate Strasser plays the keyboard.

Harold Betters

Harold “Mr. Trombone” Betters grew up in Connellsville and credits his musical success to his parents, who owned and operated an area jazz hotspot. Betters has played his trombone at numerous venues such as The Encore in Shadyside, now known as “The House that Betters Built”; Pittsburgh’s Holiday House; The Virginian in Shaker Heights; Cleveland’s Theatrical Grill; and The Cabana Club’s Nero’s Nook in Palo Alto, California. He has played with greats, including legends Louis Armstrong, Al Hirt, Slide Hampton, Ramset Lewis, and Urbie Green. He has also been on tour with his own quartet and Ray Charles. Better’s has been on “The Tonight Show,” “Merv Griffin,” “Mike Douglas,” and local Pittsburgh shows. He has been recognized as one of the best trombonists in the country, named “Mr. Versatility” by Downbeat Magazine, and “Man of the Year in Music” by the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. This is Harold Betters’ third appearance at the Coal and Coke Heritage Music Festival, where he is a crowd favorite.

Joe Grushecky

A Pittsburgh native, Joe Grushecky is a singer, songwriter, record producer, music arranger, recording artist, and he leads what's been described as "one of the best bar bands in America." Furthermore, a song he co-wrote with his good friend Bruce Springsteen recently won a Grammy for best solo rock vocal performance ("Code of Silence"). He is an all-American rock, blues, pop and a-touch-of- country musician, but this is only his evening job. He has been a special education instructor teaching developmentally disabled, physically disabled, and emotionally disturbed children for over 25 years while pursuing his dream of music stardom. He is known for being part of the Iron City Houserockers; creating his latest act, Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers; and having a lot of luck in a solo career. Grushecky’s latest album, “East Carson Street, was released in 2009.

NewLanders

Another local band, NewLanders combine American-style music with the culture, heritage, and history of Pennsylvania. The band uses traditional instruments, such as the Appalachian lap dulcimer, a fiddle, a mandolin, an electric guitar, and bass. Sometimes, even bones are thrown into the instrumental mix. Their songs tell about the Pittsburgh region, the mills, mines, rivers, and fields. Member’s biographies go deeper than the band’s background. Award-winning musician and vocalist Paula Purnell is an educator, Commonwealth speaker, and certified trainer and conductor of art integration for child caregivers. Gerard Rohlf, a writer of music and poetry, can also be found in a classroom teaching Poetry Appreciation. He has been performing music since the age of seven. Art Gazdik is the township engineer for Ross Township and a string enthusiast. He plays the violin, octave violin, mandolin, fiddle, and sings. Doug Wilkin is the owner and operator of a recording studio in Pittsburgh, and works as the engineer, producer, and musician. He has made appearances on a number of other projects ranging from jazz to folk and rock to country. NewLanders is returning to the Coal and Coke Heritage Music Festival for a third year by popular demand.