Jim Suhler

Jim Suhler and his band Monkey Beat have been on the music scene since 1992 and have built a loyal fanbase worldwide. The Dallas, Texas-based group is known for its no holds barred approach to blues-inspired rock ‘n roll and roots music.

Their four Lucky Seven releases, two releases on Underworld Records, and Jim’s solo acoustic CD ‘Dirt Road’ on Topcat Records have shown an amazing depth of songwriting and playing, and their constant touring both in North America and Europe has garnered many admirers and accolades. Their album Tijuana Bible was nominated for a Blues Music Award for Best Rock/Blues Album in the 2010 Blues Music Awards by The Blues Foundation in Memphis.

The band has worked in the past with noted producers Terry Manning (ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Stax Records, etc.), and Jim Gaines (Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan), and Grammy Award-winning producer/songwriter Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Winter etc.).

Jim is also well known as lead guitarist and songwriter with George Thorogood & the Destroyers since 1999, appearing on all albums and video releases during that time.

He has had his songs used in feature films (Spun, Wallace & Grommit) and is a multiple nominee in the prestigious Dallas Observer Music Awards. He is a member of BUDDY, Texas’ oldest music magazine Texas Tornado Hall of Fame.

Jake Quillin

“Baptized in the sound” is how Tennessee-native Jake Quillin describes his approach to making music. As a Southern Soul R&B artist, he infuses a sense of melancholy and joy into every note he sings and squeezes from his guitar. Finding inspiration in the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Quillin exploded onto the East Tennessee music scene with his take on electric blues in his self-released Psychedelic Soul EP. He spent the following period rediscovering his roots as a songwriter and independently dropped the album titled “Stormy Weather” —reminiscent of early Sam Cooke.

With greats like Anthony Hamilton and the late Mac Miller also in his roster of influences, Quillin sought new horizons to help pull out more of this inspiration to shine through his music. This led to his connection with Dallas producer/songwriter, Electrophunck AKA Jason Burt (Leon Bridges, John Mayer, Paul Cauthen, RC & The Gritz, David Ramirez and The Band Perry). In 2019, Quillin flew to Dallas for a recording session with Burt at Modern Electric Sound Recorders which solidified his decision to leave Tennessee for Texas later that year.

After settling in with the Dallas music community, he earned media buzz, radio play and big-ticket shows by blending his roots with modern influences in the release of his latest singles and undeniable talent/showmanship on stage —being dubbed as “New Texas R&B” by the Dallas Observer. Quillin can currently be seen playing regularly across Texas with more touring and music to come this year including his forthcoming full-length album “Texas Medicine” —expected to drop this winter.

Jake Quillin has shared bills with Robert Cray, Toadies, American Authors, Neon Trees, 49 Winchester, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights, Quaker City Night Hawks, Cam Cole (UK), Liam St. John, Ottoman Turks and Sam Morrow.

Jake Quillin

“Baptized in the sound” is how Tennessee-native Jake Quillin describes his approach to making music. As a Southern Soul R&B artist, he infuses a sense of melancholy and joy into every note he sings and squeezes from his guitar. Finding inspiration in the likes of  Jimi Hendrix, Quillin exploded onto the East Tennessee music scene with his take on electric blues in his self-released Psychedelic Soul EP. He spent the following period rediscovering his roots as a songwriter and independently dropped the album titled “Stormy Weather” —reminiscent of early Sam Cooke.

With greats like Anthony Hamilton and the late Mac Miller also in his roster of influences, Quillin sought new horizons to help pull out more of this inspiration to shine through his music. This led to his connection with Dallas producer/songwriter, Electrophunck AKA Jason Burt (Leon Bridges, John Mayer, Paul Cauthen, RC & The Gritz, David Ramirez and The Band Perry). In 2019, Quillin flew to Dallas for a recording session with Burt at Modern Electric Sound Recorders which solidified his decision to leave Tennessee for Texas later that year.

After settling in with the Dallas music community, he earned media buzz and radio play by blending his roots with modern influences in the release of his latest singles —being dubbed as “New Texas R&B” by the Dallas Observer. Quillin can currently be seen playing regularly across Texas with more touring and music to come this year including his forthcoming full-length album “Texas Medicine” —expected to drop late 2022.

Jake Quillin has shared bills with the Toadies, American Authors, Neon Trees, 49 Winchester, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights, Quaker City Night Hawks, Cam Cole (UK), and Sam Morrow.

Liam St. John

Liam St. John is a Chart-Topping blues-rock singer, songwriter, and performer.

Liam’s debut full-length project “stripped back” reached #2 in Top Blues Albums globally on Apple Music. “Eastham Prison Farm Blues” off of Liam’s brand new album was placed on one of Spotify’s largest blues editorials “Blues Roots” with nearly half a million followers.

Liam’s song forefathers (Stripped Back) hit #4 on Apple Music’s Top Blues Charts in the legendary company of Etta James, Chuck Berry, B.B King, and Howlin Wolf. This was followed up by his singles “to the last penny (stripped back) which reached #5, Dipped In Bleach (#9), and Eastham Prison Farm Blues (#8). This was Liam’s first time having 4 songs in the top ten simultaneously.

Liam wowed Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton on season 19 of NBC’s The Voice with his bluesy rendition of “Sex and Candy”. Shelton was impressed by Liam’s versatility in the pocket, his falsetto, and his uninhibited soulful screams. The country star said Liam deserved an opportunity to advance in the competition. Ultimately, St. John chose the decorated icon, Gwen Stafani, who described his voice as “incredible” and “rich.”

Liam followed up his successful stint on the hit tv show “The Voice” with a volcanic single ‘OZARK‘, in which he combines his ravishing vocal performance with modern blues sound mixed with alternative rock explosions. OZARK reached #52 on Spotify’s global blues charts and has remained in the top 200 for 36 consecutive weeks. OZARK was also featured on ESPN in the Lomachenko documentary.

Before his big break on The Voice, Liam St. John hustled in the trenches of the music industry for years, playing at open mics, and empty dive bars, and making nothing except the occasional well-whiskey. St. John and his band finally broke through with an opportunity to open for the British soul-rock sensation, Jacob Banks. They have since toured up and down the west coast, and across the southern states of America from Los Angeles, CA to Miami, FL.

Liam St. John backs his powerhouse vocals with the swagger and passion of a gritty blues singer.
His voice is described as smoky, rugged, and classic by the popular music blog, Indie Shuffle, which also declares, “the singer’s bluesy, raspy vocals are always commanding.”  Soul-pop star Meghan Trainor doubles down on Gwen Stefani’s comments, saying that Liam is “incredible,” and she is perplexed why he isn’t singing at the Grammys already.

A natural performer through and through, St. John is unafraid to let loose and is known best for his vibrant stage presence and captivating energy. Liam’s coach, Gwen Stefani defines him as “charismatic,” and commented on how much she loves his spirit and energy. Kelly Clarkson praises Liam’s stage presence saying, “you are so intense”.“Similar to a strong glass of whiskey, Liam St. John’s style won’t grow old or outdated.” – Indie Shuffle

Liam credits his foundation for singing to the legends he grew up listening to. From Ray Charles to Etta James, Sam Cooke, Louis Armstrong, and Tracy Chapman, the raw, gritty, blues-infused soul always surfaces in Liam’s songs and performances. Liam has a handful of singles out that explore his diverse love for the blues, rock and roll, and hip hop.

Liam’s song “NOT A GOOD MAN WALKING” debuted as the highest new entry (#42) on the Global Blues Charts for Spotify and is currently featured on two Spotify Editorial playlists, including Nu-Blue.

Join us on The Green at The Kessler (outdoor stage & lawn behind The Kessler Theater)!

These events are currently free, but space is limited and is first come-first served (as seated by our hosts). 

Want to reserve a picnic table? You can select and pay for a table of your choice here! Each table seats up to 6 guests and will be reserved for you from opening to close on your selected evening.

Food will be available on-site each night from our neighbors at PhD, with beverage service from The Kessler Bar crew.

Events are "rain or shine" – in case of inclement weather, the performance will be moved indoors.