Backstage Pass to Alive @ 5 Podcast

It's the grand finale of the Alive @ Five season, and we're going out with a bang! 🎶 In this episode of Backstage Pass to Alive at Five , Jade sits down with Sticktime & The Who's Your Daddy Horns, a powerhouse ensemble that's been rocking stages for over two decades with an irresistible mix of rock, funk, Motown, and soul. From Chicago to Stevie Wonder to Steely Dan, their high-energy sound and...

Backstage Pass to Alive at Five welcomes a true salsa powerhouse:  Edwin Ortiz y La Mafia del Guaguanco . Host Jade digs into the band's 40-year journey from the early D.C. salsa scene to their newest recordings crafted in Puerto Rico with legendary producer Isidro Infante. Hear the stories behind crowd-favorites like "La Salsa Dura," the fan-loved singles "Diferente a las demás" and "Pal Bailador...

Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five welcomes guest host Ashley Marie and crowd-favorite Crash the Limo, a high-energy cover band known for turning up the party with hits from the '90s to today. Join guitar-vocalist  Kevin Holmes and drummer-vocalist Sean Sandy as they unpack how the band crafts a set list that gets the dance floor, and your heart, going. From crowd requests and surprise song choices to...

This week, host Jade Dunhour sits down with Wild Planes, the high-energy American rock trio out of New York that's been electrifying stages across the country. Known for their genre-blending sound that fuses funk, pop, and classic rock, Wild Planes has shared stages with acts like CeeLo Green and Kix and even earned the title "the Duran Duran of our time" for their passion, showmanship, and infect...

This week on Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five , guest host Mark Blacksten sits down with Tom Starr of the Tom Starr Band, a group that has quickly risen to become one of the DMV's most exciting live acts. From their early days as a small trio to now commanding stages with a full horn section and powerhouse vocalists, the band has built a reputation for high-energy performances that blend rock, soul,...

This week on Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five , we welcome back Baltimore's rising pop sensation, Enslow . Known for her lush blend of electronic pop, 70s-inspired melodies, and indie charm, Enslow has quickly become a fan favorite at Alive @ Five. Joined by bandmate Josh, she shares stories of her whirlwind journey since first playing Frederick in 2023,  from releasing her debut album Hello , to be...

Get ready for an electrifying episode as guest hosts Dylan Zang and Jeremiah Johnston of Brain Dead Live sit down with  Sulaiman Rahman , frontman of  Marshal Fuzz, a gritty, Maryland-based rock band bringing their explosive psychedelic-blues sound to Alive @ Five this Thursday, July 31. From their fuzzy riffs and soulful vocals to their unexpected cover choices (yes, even Britney Spears and Snoop...

In this high-energy episode of Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five , guest host Dylan Zang of Brain Dead Live sits down with Kevin Basiliko of The 8 Ohms Band ahead of their upcoming Alive @ Five performance on Thursday, July 24 at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater. Kevin dives deep into the band's horn-heavy sound and ever-evolving lineup of powerhouse musicians from across the DMV. Since forming in 2007...

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,br...

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...

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 infl...

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 conn...

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 h...

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, n...

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...

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...

Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five is back with another exciting episode! This week, host Ashley Marie chats with the dynamic Melissa Quinn Fox , a rising star known for her unique blend of country, pop, and Americana . With her heartfelt lyrics and powerhouse vocals, Melissa brings an emotional authenticity to every performance — and she's bringing that same energy to the Alive @ Five stage this week...

Welcome to a brand-new season of Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five — your all-access audio experience to Frederick's favorite summer concert series! We're kicking things off with an interview with The 19th Street Band , who will open the Alive @ Five season on May 8, 2025 at Carroll Creek Amphitheater. This week's episode is hosted by Jade Dunhour , who sits down with band members Caolaidhe and Megha...

In this episode we look back on the incredible 2024 season of Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five. Along with exclusive acoustic performances from the show, you'll also get a special behind-the-scenes glimpse of the final show of the season, presented by Downtown Frederick Partnership. Relive the magic of Alive @ Five with us on this week's episode.

  In this episode of Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five , host Steve Bell wraps up the 2024 season with a lively conversation featuring Chris from The Learned Doctors. We dive into the band's unique sound, 90s-centric covers, and multi-instrumental talents. Chris shares stories about band dynamics, upcoming performances, and even drops hints about the diverse setlist for the season finale. Expect ever...

On this episode we chat with Bruce Gardner and Kashi-Tara from the BGX Band. We discuss their excitement for their first Alive @ Five performance, sharing details about their musical journey, influences, and the band's energetic fusion of R&B, funk, jazz, and go-go. Get a preview of their three-set performance happening on Thursday, September 26, and learn how to find their music everywhere. Don't...

Get ready for a lively and energetic episode of "Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five" as we Steve chat with Joe Falero of the Joe Falero Band! Tune in to hear about Joe's love for salsa, Latin jazz, mambo, and cha-cha-cha, and the band's diverse background, with members from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Chile, and El Salvador. Joe shares his excitement about flying in from Puerto Rico to...

In this episode we chat with the band B4WE8 about their musical journey, influences, and upcoming performance at Alive @ Five. The band shares stories of their genre-blending sound, incorporating EDM with live instruments like trumpet and guitar, and their excitement for their first big show together in years. With a mix of humor and heartfelt reflection, they discuss the inspiration behind their...

  In this lively episode we chat with the Special Delivery Band ahead of their upcoming performance at Alive @ Five. The band shares their excitement about returning to the stage, their long history together, and what fans can expect from their high-energy show, which includes a mix of classic rock, Motown, and more. With over 22 years of playing together, Special Delivery Band is ready to keep th...

In this episode we welcome Nick Frey & The Sons of Thunder as they gear up for their performance at Carroll Creek Amphitheatre. The band discusses their eclectic musical style, which blends rock, blues, soul, and folk, and reflects on their journey from casual jam sessions to live performances. They share their passion for writing original music, their influences, and the collaborative process tha...