In this episode of Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five, host Ashley Marie sits down with singer-songwriter Justin Trawick of Justin Trawick and The Common Good, an Americana fusion band blending bluegrass, folk, and heartfelt storytelling.

Justin opens up about his songwriting roots, building his band with a “family photo” of rotating musicians, and the very real journey of turning life experiences,breakups, family memories, and even a vocal injury, into emotionally resonant music.

Plus, get a sneak peek at the band’s Alive @ Five setlist, which promises a genre-mashing mix of originals and bluegrass-style covers (Whitney Houston, anyone?). Justin’s humor, honesty, and down-to-earth energy shine in this conversation, and if you weren’t excited for his set on the creek before, you will be after this.

🎶 Don’t miss Justin Trawick and the Common Good live at Alive @ Five!
📍 Visit downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive for full event details.
🎧 Listen to more episodes on the Listen Frederick Podcast Network: listenfrederick.com

In this episode of Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five, guest host Dylan Zing (owner of Brain Dead Live and Alive @ Five Band Selection Committee member) sits down with Rahsaan Eldridge and Cullen DeChant—co-founders of the Annapolis-based band Honest Lee Soul. Known for their magnetic fusion of soul, funk, blues, gospel, hip-hop, and rock, the band makes their Alive @ Five debut on Thursday, July 3.

Originally formed as Brother’s Keeper in 2017, the group released their debut self-titled LP in 2018 before evolving into Honest Lee Soul. With the additions of Reggie Maddox (bass), Kirk Meyers (keys), and Devin Brown (drums), the band found its core lineup—leading to the release of their first full-length album One Life in 2022 and follow-up Testify in 2023. In May 2024, they were voted Best Blues Band by the Maryland Music Awards.

In this episode, Rahsaan and Cullen dive into:

• How their unique lineup and backgrounds shape their dynamic live shows

• The organic growth of the band and their deep musical influences, from Bill Withers and The Roots to go-go music and CeeLo Green

• Why Frederick feels like a second home and the role Olde Mother Brewing played in bringing them to Alive @ Five

• How they approach setlists (hint: they don’t use them) and what fans can expect—original music, surprise covers, and undeniable energy

Whether performing as a duo or full ensemble, Honest Lee Soul aims to do two things: make you feel something—and make you move.

Visit downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive for full event details, and don’t miss Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five every Monday for artist interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and more. See you on the Creek!

This week, we're taking a rockin’ ride back in time with Ron “Bad Ron” Scott of Four Star Combo — a high-octane band known for reviving the spirit of 1950s rockabilly and honky tonk with a modern twist. Guest host Mark Blacksten from ACNB Bank sits down with Ron to talk vintage vibes, upright bass slaps, international releases, and what it means to keep roots music alive in 2025.

From classic influences like Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis to one-take recordings and vintage amps, Four Star Combo brings authenticity and energy to every show. You’ll also hear about their upcoming Alive @ Five setlist, what fuels their style, and how they get audiences on their feet with every performance.

Stick around after the interview to hear a special clip of their song “Wait a Minute Baby.”

Don’t miss Four Star Combo live at Alive @ Five this Thursday!

Presented by:
ACNB Bank – Proud to support community events that bring people together.
Downtown Frederick Partnership – Learn more about the Alive @ Five series and everything happening downtown.

For more episodes and artist spotlights, visit ListenFrederick.com.

#AliveAtFive #BackstagePass #FourStarCombo #ListenFrederick #FrederickMD #RockabillyRevival #SupportLocalMusic

This week on Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five, host Asa Weeks sits down with Frederick’s own hip-hop visionary, Ahzay, and dives into the heart and soul behind his music and band, Ahzay & The Squad. Together, they explore Ahzay’s deep roots in Frederick, the power of storytelling through music, and what it means to headline Alive @ Five on Juneteenth—a celebration of culture, community, and connection.

From heartfelt tributes to family, to the artistry behind his six-minute opus Vinyl Candle Thoughts, Ahzay shares the inspiration behind his most personal tracks and the upcoming release of his brand-new album. Plus, get to know the full Squad and hear how their on-stage synergy creates an unforgettable live experience.

Featured Tracks: “Scoreboard” and “Wave Now” (feat. Stitch Early)
Don’t miss Ahzay & The Squad live on Thursday, June 19 at Alive @ Five—a can't-miss Juneteenth performance!

Learn more at downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive
Stream more local voices at listenfrederick.com

On this episode of Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five, host Jade Dunhour sits down with Nick Fry and the Sons of Thunder—a Frederick-based band blending folk, soul, and pop into heartfelt, resonant soundscapes. Nick and Ryan chat about the band’s origin, their deeply personal songwriting, and how their music honors family, community, and local history. From lap steel solos to saxophone cameos and handmade merch, this group brings authenticity and energy to every note.

Tune in for behind-the-scenes stories, rapid-fire fun, and a moving performance of their original song "Day the Steel Mill Closed." Plus, hear how their connection to Frederick shapes their music and why playing Alive @ Five means so much to them.

Brought to you by Downtown Frederick Partnership

Learn more: downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive
Listen more at ListenFrederick.com

See you on the creek!

Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five – Dan McGuire Group Takes the Stage!
This week, we’re joined by Dan McGuire of the Dan McGuire Group—one of Frederick’s most versatile and crowd-pleasing bands! From high-energy wedding sets to unforgettable Alive @ Five performances, Dan shares the journey of growing his band from bar gigs to a full-fledged music and events business. We dive into wild gig stories, navigating the local music scene, and what fans can expect when they hit the creek for this can't-miss Alive @ Five performance.

Whether you’re a longtime follower or a first-time listener, you’ll love this behind-the-scenes look at one of the most anticipated acts in the Alive @ Five lineup.

Don’t forget to check out full event details at: : downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive

Learn more and listen to more local shows at: listenfrederick.com

This week, we go backstage with Poehemia, the high-energy Celtic rock band blending fiddle, guitar, and powerful vocals into one unforgettable sound. Host Jade chats with band members Ted and Kaitlyn about their Baltimore roots, how Celtic traditions meet modern rock, and what they’ve got planned for their Alive @ Five performance.

Hear stories from the road, the meaning behind their name, and a preview of their upcoming original album. Plus, stick around for their lively track “Whiskey and Gin” to close the show.

Don’t miss Poehemia live on Carroll Creek this Thursday!

Presented by Downtown Frederick Partnership.

New episodes every Monday at ListenFrederick.com.

In this episode of Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five, host Ashley Marie sits down with Jeff and Robin of the electrifying cover band Shake the Room ahead of their 90s Night performance at Alive @ Five. Known for their high-octane stage presence and crowd-pleasing setlists, the duo talks about the band's evolution, their favorite songs to perform, and how they keep the energy high from the very first note.

From nostalgic 90s bangers to unexpected crowd requests, this episode dives into how Shake the Room curates shows that keep fans on their feet. You’ll hear about their deep ties to Frederick, behind-the-scenes band stories, and how they transform classic covers with a fresh, unforgettable twist.

Whether you're a longtime fan or a first-time listener, get ready for some serious nostalgia, big laughs, and a glimpse at what makes Shake the Room one of the area’s most beloved live acts.

Don’t miss them at Alive @ Five, and remember to tune in every Monday for new episodes of Backstage Pass. For the full schedule and more information, visit downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive.