OTR 2026 Entertainment Schedule
Thursday
Grateful Gary, 9 pm to midnight (Pavilion)
Friday
Shanty Irish, 5 pm to 6:30 pm (Cooters)
OTR Trivia, 7 pm to 8 pm (Pavilion)
Jeremy Short, 9 pm to midnight (Pavilion)
Saturday
JB Stalnaker/Tim White, 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm (Pavilion)
Not Reely Dan, 8 pm to 10 pm (Pavilion)
75th REUNION CELEBRATORY FIREWORKS!
Queen City Funk and Soul 10:30 pm to 12:30 am (Pavilion)
Sunday
The Jugbusters, 2 pm to 5 pm (River Stage)
Buzzzzz City, following the Awards Ceremony (Pavilion)
Grateful Gary
OTR 2026 entertainment opens on Thursday evening with Grateful Gary, a solo guitarist and vocalist from the Chicago area whose specialty is Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and other retro/hippie and psychedelic tunes. He has played music at numerous other caver events like NSS Convention, Kentucky Speleofest, MVOR, SERA, and previous OTRs. Gary also is ‘one of us,’ an NSS Life Member, Mammoth Cave Resto Crew member, founder of the Sub-Urban Chicago Grotto, and frequent NSS News contributor. He also puts together the OTR Guidebook every year!
When he’s not on stage and in front of the microphone, Gary is a dedicated OTR volunteer, running the sound, lighting, and video for the rest of the acts appearing on the Pavilion and River Stages. PS – He’s looking for an intern. Please step up if you can help!
The Shanty Irish Band
Everyone enjoys a wee bit of Irish music, and perhaps also a pint of Guinness! What better way to enjoy them both than to check out The Shanty Irish Band. Consisting of friends, cavers, and long-time TRA members, the lads play traditional Irish folk music that dates back to the 18th and 19th Centuries, what would be heard in the so-named ‘singing pubs’ that are scattered throughout Ireland. Many of the songs, shanties, reels, and jigs tell tales of fighting, revolution, love, and the wonders of poitin and porter (whisky and beer). Come join The Shanty Irish Band on Friday at Cooters Pub.
Here is a video of Shanty Irish doing what Shanty Irish does best!
OTR Trivia Night
To celebrate 75 years of OTR, we bring you OTR Trivia! Pull together a group of 4-6 of your OTR friends, and join us in the Pavilion to put your OTR knowedge to the test.
From his official website: He’s got the look (you won’t miss the fiery orange mustache), the chops (named one of the top 30 blues guitarists at the International Blues Challenge), and the voice (smooth, soulful, and full of grit). But most importantly, he’s got heart—and he brings it to every note.
Hailing from the hills of Eastern Kentucky, he calls his sound “Appalachian Space Funk”—a genre-bending blend of gritty blues, deep funk, and Southern soul, and his vibrant stage presence is igniting stages across the country.
Even if you’ve never heard his name before, there’s a good chance you’ve felt his vibe. Short is carving a name for himself as one of the most dynamic performers on today’s roots and jam circuit. He’s shared stages with Grace Bowers, John Oates, Jared James Nichols, Wynonna Judd, Ben Folds, Tommy Prine, Maggie Rose, Sierra Hull, Lucas Nelson, Tyler Childers, Kingfish, Marcus King, John Osborne, and Taj Mahal, and lit up festival crowds at places like Bonnaroo, FloydFest, Healing Appalachia, and Master Musicians Festival.
This isn’t background music. This is lose-yourself, forget-the-world, dance-until-you’re-sweaty kind of music. Whether you’re a diehard blues fan, a funk enthusiast, or just someone who wants to feel something real, a Jeremy Short show will leave you buzzing for days.
You might walk in curious. You’ll walk out converted.
Check him out here: Video
JB Stalnaker and Tim White
Timmy White and JB Stalnaker have played together as a duo and in various bands for more than two decades. Their 20-plus years of playing together has helped them to craft an entertaining blend of musicianship. From singer/songwriter tunes to blues, rock, country, and everything between, Timmy and JB provide a bit of something for everyone to listen to and enjoy.
Join us on Saturday afternoon as Timmy and JB fill the air with their familiar harmonies.
Not Reely Dan
Not Reely Dan is a nine-piece Steely Dan tribute band based in the Maryland region. Formed by Jim Roderick, Tom Harrison, and Mark Gauthier, the group sublimely recreates the music of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. Hearing Not Reely Dan is like time travel. If you close your eyes, you can visualize your own (or your Mom and Dad’s) worn-out vinyl from the 70’s on the turntable once again, while singing along to the greatest hits including Kid Charlemagne, Peg, Deacon Blues, and of course the ground breaking Aja.
Be sure to hear the epic Aja album fully played cover-to-cover, lovingly reproduced just for we cavers in the Pavilion Saturday evening. Surely an OTR not to be missed, nor ever to be forgotten, as a landmark in OTR sonic lore.
Check them out here: Video
Queen City Funk & Soul
Queen City Funk & Soul is a high-energy, 10-piece musical collective hailing from Cumberland, Maryland (traditionally nicknamed the “Queen City”). Formed in the spring of 1998, this powerhouse regional dance band is an OTR favorite and is known throughout the region as a staple of the Mid Atlantic, Appalachian, and Mountain State music scene.
Queen CIty delivers a “dance ’til you drop” party experience with a heavy focus on rhythm, an infectious groove, and a sophisticated, jazzy vibe. Their expansive repertoire spans legendary hits from the 1960s and 1970s up to contemporary tracks, covering artists such as: James Brown, Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Bruno Mars, and Alicia Keys.
Check them out here: Video
The Jugbusters
The Jugbusters are a mountain string band who have spent the last decades inspiring dancers with their good-time sound that brings together the big energy of old-time music with the classic swing of country. After their early albums, “Live at the Rex” and “Keep the Crows Out” (re-mastered and re-released on bandcamp), they produced two studio albums, full of originals and featuring their unique sound. The CDs “No Easier Way” and “Honky Tonk Hymnal” are available on many streaming services. Don’t miss your next chance to kick up your heels and fly away, flat-footing and two-stepping with: The Jugbusters!
Check them out here: Video
Buzzzzz City
Buzzzzz City is a loose confederation of caver-musicians who have played group performances for years at OTR. They formerly played at their campsite, at Cooters, or wherever they could. In recent years, Buzzzzz City performed at the First Aid Station as a thank-you to First Aid and to raise money to fund medical supplies. And from there, the ‘Band-Aide’ (get it?) fundraiser was born. Since 2017, Buzzzzz City has performed its Band-Aide benefit at the Pavilion, where they have proven to be a big hit (not to mention the money raised for the First Aid Station)! This year’s performance once again will immediately follow the Sunday Awards Ceremony at the Pavilion, and once again will be a benefit for the First Aid Station. You’ll hear lots of good old-timey songs, including their crowd favorite, The OTR Anthem!
NOTE: Any amplified live performance NOT scheduled in the OTR Guidebook must be approved prior to OTR by the OTR Chair as a courtesy to our scheduled performers and to ensure the enjoyment and safety of ALL fellow OTR attendees. If you would like to be considered to perform at OTR in the future, please contact the OTR Chair to express your interest.