Magnolia Mountain (Cincinnati) 

http://www.magnoliamountain.net/

"Built around the sharp, intuitive songwriting of frontman Mark Utley, Magnolia Mountain is a seven-member Americana machine that has risen to become one of the best and more popular original acts in the area. Integrating all flavors of America’s Roots music (including its various offshoots), Magnolia Mountain has released four albums of original material since 2009, including this year’s Beloved, another ace collection that melds Folk, Country, Bluegrass, Gospel, Rock, Blues, Rockabilly and probably any other form of Americana you can dream" -Mike Breen, CityBeat

Shivering Timbers (Akron)

http://www.shiveringtimbersmusic.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjYwS1mU518

"And the winner for Unlikeliest Band Launch goes to Akron’s Shivering Timbers, which began with the husband-and-wife team of Jayson and Sarah Benn writing and performing songs to entertain their infant daughter. The Benns wound up playing some of those songs at Dan Auerbach’s 30th birthday party and The Black Keys guitarist ended up producing 2010’s We All Started in the Same Place, the couple’s debut album as Shivering Timbers. Through Auerbach, the couple met Brian Olive (Sarah sang harmonies on his last solo album, Two of Everything) and he signed on to produce the Timbers’ sophomore album, 2012’s Sing Sing, a collection of songs and sounds that distills and intensifies the vibe of the first release. More importantly, the Timbers have been honing their considerable craft on relentless tour stops with Shovels & Rope, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Chapin Sisters and so many more, resulting in a live presence that combines Indie Rock energy, Blues/Punk passion and Country/Gospel reflection." - Brian Baker, CityBeat