Organizers have announced the complete musical performance schedule for the 32nd annual Old Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival, scheduled for Oct. 16 and 17 in downtown West Plains.
The signature autumn event celebrates the music, art and folklife traditions of the Ozark Highlands. Admission to all festival events is free, with festival grounds open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days and live music starting at noon.
This year's headlining acts, announced earlier, include The Lacewings at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 and Little Jones at 7 p.m. Oct. 17.
A diverse roster of regional bluegrass, folk, old-time, blues and jazz performers will take the stage throughout the two-day event:
Oct. 16 Schedule
• Noon – Down Yonder: A traditional old-time string band based in Hardy, Ark., featuring West Plains rhythm guitarist Don Reed, fiddler Ginger Harden, and clawhammer banjo champion Jeff Kamps alongside his wife, Debbie Kamps.
• 1 p.m. – King Size Bluegrass Band: A high-energy Springfield-based group known for their signature "stompgrass" style, blending traditional bluegrass with lively country and folk influences.
• 2 p.m. – Julie Henigan: An accomplished multi-instrumentalist and vocalist steeped in Ozark and traditional Irish music traditions, known for her command of finger-style guitar, clawhammer banjo and fiddle.
• 3 p.m. – Duane Porterfield: A former National Mountain Dulcimer Champion and 2023 Arkansas State Old Time Banjo Champion from Mtn. View, Ark., sharing traditional acoustic string music.
• 4 p.m. – Shortleaf Band: A Southern Missouri duo featuring Michael and Tenley Fraser, who blend Scots-Irish tradition, Ozark square dance fiddle music and original folk compositions.
• 5 p.m. – Molly Claire: An 18-year-old rising bluegrass, country and gospel vocalist and mandolin player who recently recorded her debut album alongside top bluegrass talent.
• 6 p.m. – Drifters Mile: A high-energy, single-microphone bluegrass group known for original compositions and traditional covers (formerly performing as Deep Fried Squirrel).
• 7 p.m. – The Lacewings (Headliner)
Oct. 17 Schedule
• Noon – Nathan Bryce and Loaded Dice: A touring classic rock and blues trio based in Springfield known for guitar-driven Southern rock.
• 1 p.m. – Duane Porterfield: Returning for a second afternoon set on mountain dulcimer and banjo.
• 3 p.m. – King Clarentz: Longtime Missouri blues musician, sculptor and folk artist Clarence Brewer, known for blending raw juke-joint boogie with modern storytelling and wit.
• 4 p.m. – Creek Stink: Hailing from Ozark County, duo Eric Bogwalker and Amelia LaMair perform high-octane string-band dance music often described as "the Ramones of Ozark folk music."
• 5 p.m. – Shortleaf Band: Returning for a second performance highlighting traditional Ozark heritage music.
• 6 p.m. – The Jin J. X Group: A Chicago-by-way-of-Springfield jazz guitarist and singer-songwriter presenting a mix of jazz fusion, R&B and Folk-Americana.
• 7 p.m. – Little Jones (Headliner)
The festival is co-sponsored by the West Plains Council on the Arts, the City of West Plains, the Ozark Heritage Welcome Center and Missouri State University-West Plains, with partial funding provided by the Missouri Arts Council and Missouri Humanities.
For additional information or expanded artist biographies, visit ozarkheritagefestival.org or email info@westplainsarts.org.
