SHERMAN - It didn't take long for Maury Rosenberg and his band Hypnotic Clambake to appreciate Western New York music fans.
Although the band has toured the country, playing world music, it found an unofficial home in Sherman.
"When we were touring, we found that the area around Jamestown, Sherman, Rochester, Buffalo down to Pittsburgh had a huge fanbase for the type of music we did," Rosenberg said.
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The 16th annual Outrageous Universe Revival Festival will feature more than 15 acts June 1 and 2.
Submitted photo
The band's 16th annual Outrageous Universe Revival Festival will be held Friday and Saturday, June 1 and 2, at Brushwood Folklore Campground, 8881 Bailey Hill Road, Sherman. It will feature both camping and music.
"It made sense to really have it close to a home where a lot of our fans are," Rosenberg said. "We've always had great support in the Jamestown and Buffalo area. Without that support, the group couldn't have traveled all around the country. I'm always grateful for the fans in that area."
The festival will feature more than 15 acts. In addition to Hypnotic Clambake, headliners include Leigh Stoner & The Smoking Jackets, Stewed Mulligan, Baby Gramps, Waitin' on a Train, guitarist Kinloch Nelson, Creek Bend, and European touring artist Miche Fambro.
Seattle-based National steel guitarist Baby Gramps is a festival mainstay, playing his own arrangements of rags, jazz and blues from the 1920s and '30s, along with many originals. He'll be joined by Christopher Yarrow, son of Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary. Yarrow will play the washtub bass. Tom Brown will join them.
"He's legendary in that the instrument he plays is the cardboard box," Rosenberg said of Brown. "You've got Gramps on the National steel guitar, Brown on the cardboard box and Christopher Yarrow on tub bass, so that should be an exciting trio. That's a nice little nuance that's happening this year."
Stewed Mulligan will play music that will appeal to fans of old-time sounds, Rosenberg said. From West Virginia, the band blends backwoods with country rock.
Nelson and Fambro are new to the festival this year.
New York Klezmer Orchestra, Zydeco Vacation, JoAnn Vaccaro, John Martz Experience, Good For Nuthin' String Band, The Tribe of 2 and the Squeeze Box Kid will also perform.
From Youngstown, Ohio, The Tribe of 2 will be a highlight, according to Rosenberg. The duo consists of a pianist and a drummer.
"When these two people get together, it's incredible," Rosenberg said. "It's like Pink Floyd meets Oscar Peterson. It's a weird combination. It's a wonderful collaboration between two musical minds."
Other bright spots will include a Hypnotic Clambake performance featuring local musician Stan Barton on Friday night and a diverse guitarist lineup Saturday.
Nelson, Baby Gramps and Fambro will play at 3:10, 4:20 and 5:30 p.m., respectively.
"Kinloch Nelson is an incredible technician," Rosenberg said. "He's very musical. He's kind of under the radar, but he's really famous in guitar circles. It's really a delight to have him at this year's event. Where Kinloch is like a technician, Baby Gramps is almost bombastic, like a de-technician. He's the total opposite. It's very interesting to see the differences in the way the two people play."
Fambro plays nylon string guitar.
"He has his own style of playing," Rosenberg said. "You're going to see three incredible guitar players with three styles of playing."
Comedian Chet Wild will host the festival. He has toured with comedians such as Louie Anderson, Bobby Slayton and Rich Vos. He recently did a show with Tom Arnold.
New this year, there will be an open-mic segment, giving band and audience members an opportunity to show off their solo work. Magicians, comedians or musicians could all perform.
"All of the sudden, anything can happen," Rosenberg said.
Gates will open at 1 p.m. Friday, June 1. Advance tickets are on sale through Sunday for $50. Tickets include camping for two nights. To order pre-sale tickets, call 585-271-5069.
At the gate, two-night tickets will be $55. Saturday-only tickets will be $45 at the gate and will include one night of camping.
Attendees under age 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. No pets will be allowed on the grounds during the festival.
For more information, including directions and a complete schedule of performances, visit ourmusicfest.com.