Mike Brenner and Doug Jenkins know they're an unlikely pairing. The guy in the white suit drawing sounds steeped in country and blues from his steel guitar and the dreadlocked MC delivering his poetic rhymes with a cool assuredness and conviction, in perfect flow to the funky grooves laid down by the bassist and two percussionists that flesh out the distinctive sounds of Brenner's lap steel. Throw in the gorgeous, harmonious vocals of Philadelphia favorites Sue Rosetti and Steph Hayes -- both of the now defunct Stargazer Lily -- singer-songwriters and musicians in their own right, and you've got a musical collective more likely to raise eyebrows than enthusiastic thumbs-up approval. They released Gimme What You Got! last fall.

Originally formed as a bluegrass trio, Frog Holler has evolved into a genre-defying, mostly electric sextet, releasing their own records (ZoBird Records). A lot of bands are experimenting with Neil Young's country-folk-rock fusion, trying to capture that elusive mix of unguarded lyricism and fuzzy-amped aggression. Frog Holler has built their reputation on marathon live shows, loose but honest, emotional investments that have paid off with an intensely loyal fan base that far outreaches its Berks County, Pennsylvania home.

The Wallace Brothers featuring Khoa "Lucky" Pham are a trio based out of South Eastern Pennsylvania. They have traveled far and wide, listened and learned, thought and experimented, and have finally come up with a simple sound that we enjoy. Zachary Wallace is the acoustic guitarist and lead singer, Colby Wallace plays drum kit and is in charge of vocal harmonies, and Khoa "Lucky" Pham plays the pedal steel guitar.