Cosmic America - Your 2026 line up
It’s time to meet the star attractions of the Belladrum Festival Medicine Music Moose Hollow 2026
The Nashville Revue: Straight from our stage sponsor, Mark Allen (Nashville PBS’s ‘Have Guitar Will Travel World’ TV Show ) brings the ultimate Music City takeover. Featuring "Low-End" legend Dave Pomeroy and the divine Gospel spirit of Regina McCrary.
The "Seasick Steve" Spot: Every year we tip one artist for greatness in the Saturday slot Steve played for us in 2006. This year? It’s Mohan Evans. Son of Jools Holland’s vocalist Sam Brown and Grandson of Joe Brown (and the Bruvvers) he was born for the stage.
The Road-Warrior: Dave Manning lives in a 1965 VW bus named "Vincent" and plays soulful, gravelly piano that would make Tom Waits proud.
The Texas Outlaw: Our friend Patterson Barrett made history at the Grand Ole Opry with Stephanie Urbina Jones and Mariachi International Nueva Galicia when they brought Marachis to the Oprey for the very first time in its 100 year history. He’s back to lead our Saturday night Gram Parsons Birthday Hoot finale!
The Folk Noir: Anna La Mare brings "emotional honey" from Austin - a haunting blend of Texas grit and Celtic roots.
Did you know that Sweetheart of the Rodeo by The Byrds was released on August 30, 1968? Widely regarded as a landmark record, it helped redefine country music by blending traditional sounds with a fresh, genre-crossing spirit.
In the years that followed, artists like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings carved new paths outside the traditional Nashville system, helping to shape a more independent and expressive era for the genre.
This movement gave rise to a rich, song-driven style often described as “Cosmic Americana” … a fusion of country, folk and rock influences that continues to inspire artists today.
This year, Moose Hollow pays homage to that pioneering spirit in style, read on to find out more.
Nashville
Mark Allen of the Nashville travel log PBS TV Show ‘Have Guitar Will Travel World’ who are this year’s Stage Sponsors and iMtv broadcast partners and he is also bringing his friend Dave Pomeroy and his partner Gospel Queen Regina McCrary .
Dave is Joining our house bands on the Saturday and representing Nashville all session Musicians, serving as the President of the Nashville Musicians Association (AFM)
The Pomeroy
Nashville's "Low-End" legend Dave Pomeroy, is a powerhouse in the Nashville music scene, having spent over 45 years as a world-class bassist, producer, and advocate for musicians' rights. He is widely respected for his incredible versatility, moving seamlessly between country, rock, jazz, and bluegrass as key musical Highlights Session Powerhouse:
Pomeroy has played bass on over 500 albums, including six Grammy-winning recordings. He has collaborated with legends like Elton John, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood, and Peter Frampton. The Don Williams Era: For 14 years (1980–1994), he was the bassist for country icon Don Williams, touring the world and contributing to numerous hit records.
He has been named "Bassist of the Year" and "Studio Musician of the Year" at the Nashville Music Awards.
Regina McCrary is David Pomeroy’s Musical and life partner and will grace our wee stage to as well as present a Gospel Show with Dave, Mark and the Nairn United Reform ChurchChoir under the stewardship of Fiona Richie on the Grass Roots Stage.
Regiana The Dylan Era:
One of her most notable claims to fame was her close collaboration with Bob Dylan during his "Gospel Years" (1979–1981). She toured with him and sang on the albums ‘Saved’ and ‘Shot of Love’.
The McCrary Sisters:
Alongside her sisters Ann, Deborah (who passed in 2022), and Alfreda, she has released several acclaimed albums, including ‘Our Journey’ and ‘Let’s Go’. Her resume reads like a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame roster. She has recorded or performed with: Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, The Holmes Brothers, Buddy Miller and Dr. John
Regina is the daughter of the late Rev. Samuel McCrary, who was a founding member of the legendary gospel group The Fairfield Four. Growing up in a house where music was both a divine calling and a daily practice, she developed a vocal style that is as much about storytelling and grit as it is about technical skill.
Regina isn't just a "backup singer." She is a torchbearer for the Nashville music scene, bridging the gap between traditional African American gospel and modern Americana. Whether she’s performing at the Grand Ole Opry or a small blues club, she brings a massive amount of "spirit" to the stage.
Austin Texas
Patterson Barrett
Patterson Barrett is a highly respected multi-instrumentalist, producer, and bandleader based in Austin, Texas. He is often described as a "musician’s musician," known for his versatility on pedal steel, guitar, keyboards, and Dobro. While he has a prolific solo career, he is perhaps best known for his foundational role in the Americana scene and his long list of collaborations with legendary artists. Key Musical Roles Band Leader:
Shortly after moving to Austin in the 1970s, he formed the band Partners In Crime, which featured future Americana icons Buddy and Julie Miller. He has also served as a bandleader and musical director for notably a Gram Parsons tribute at Threadgill’s the Gram Parson Birthday Hoot which he brings to Moose Hollow this year as our Climax Show on Saturday August 1st.
He and regular collaborator Stephanie Urbina Jones who he has played the main-stage at Belladrum they making Country Music History history on October 2, 2018, when they became the first act in the Grand Ol’ Opry's then 93-year history to perform on the iconic stage with a full Mariachi band (Mariachi International Nueva Galicia).Their debut earned a standing ovation and included a "telenovela" version of Dolly Parton’s Jolene, as well as covers of Charley Pride and Lynn Anderson. They have since then returned to the hallowed Opry stage 8 times and appeared there with Vince Gill.
Representing the ever vibrant Texas underground scene Anna Le Mere
Anna Le Mere is an Austin-based artist known for a style she describes as "Americana, folk noir, and Southern Gothic." Critics and fans often describe her voice as "emotional honey," comparing her soulful, nomadic storytelling to legends like Joni Mitchell or a "folky Florence and the Machine."
She is a regular at iconic Texas venues like The Saxon Pub and Vinyl Beauty Bar in Austin, as well as McGonigel’s Mucky Duck in Houston.
And representing the rest of The USA from The Road
Dave Manning (van life guy and kindred spirit)
He’s spent a huge chunk of his life living and touring out of his vintage VW bus, Stateside & this side which is why he's so closely tied to the landscapes of the American West (and the Scottish Highlands). While he started out in the Golden State, he eventually made Montana a primary home base and a frequent backdrop for his songwriting. Here are a few quick facts about his "on the road" lifestyle:
He is well-known for his 1965 Volkswagen Bus Vincent, which serves as both his home and his tour vehicle. His music is a mix of soulful storytelling and ragtime-influenced piano, heavily inspired by his travels across the U.S. and abroad. Despite his "American West" roots, he’s as popular in Europe, specifically Germany, where he tours frequently.
This years lineup in summary.
This year we have a wing ding in all styles and tastes to not only feature every strand of the roots of Country music but every shoot, leaf and branch too - music, as Rob’s late brother Mark Ellen, who was house drummer and co promoter of The Potting Shed Stage for the early years, would have said “ We have all kinds of music Country and Western “
If your a fan of County, Americana, Bluegrass, Song-Writer, Folk, Tex Mex, Cajun, Zydeco, Country Soul Gospel, Power Pop, Southern Rock, Texas Roadhouse, Tijana, Cantina, Blues, Sonoran, Gothic Folk, Gulf Coast Roots, or you’re a Cosmic Country fan, Its guaranteed there is something in it for you every time you pop into Moose Hollow - All collated in person by Rob at some extra ordinary gig somewhere in the world collecting content for iMtv international Moose TV supporting independently minded music on the road - iMtv will be in attendance to capture the magic in that guerilla phone camera way that the 30,000 + stations social media followers have grown to love.
Let's face it if you’re looking for the authentic Roots of your favourite music at your favourite festival you’ll find it it's down in Moose Hollow with who knows what else in the mix (stay tuned)
The Potting Shed Stage and The Trailer Trash Stage are now amalgamated into ‘Moose Hollow’ under Rob Ellen’s stewardship, we offer a Cantina honky-tonk experience and an eclectic roots music programme of artists doing amazing things that Rob has featured on iMTV – international Moose TV and enjoyed live on his travels this side and stateside.
Veteran Highland promoter (40 years now) Rob Ellen earned his rights of passage long before, but he would argue he came of age as a musical catalyst when he conceived of The Belladrum Festival Potting Shed Stage. Alreadya founding force of the festival Rob booked and publicised the very first festival in 2004 - he says of the Potting Shed Stage (his Bella Baby)
“The idea came to me back stage on the second Grass Roots Stage, duringyear three in 2006… it was just as much fun back there as it was out front. I remember Gypsy Dave Smith was jamming with Seasick Steve in one dressing room and Scott MacDonald was entertaining Californian Cosmic Country stars I See Hawks in LA and Tony Gilkyson of LA Punk legends with songs of Scotland in the other dressing room.
I thought it’s a shame that folks out there can’t see this, so I put it to Belladrum owner at the time, Joe Gibbs, to have a place where impromptu magic could happen, where the artists of any genre and the audience can relax in the company and acts for other stages could come by and just hang or pick up an instrument at will, Joe said yes, a lean two stage was raised and he named it The Potting Shed Stage and the game was afoot”
"Three chords and the truth—that's what a country song is." Willie Nelson