Bound by their love for musical craft, Low Ground is a five-person bluegrass ensemble from South Florida. They’ve become regulars on the folk music circuit, playing festivals all over the state.

Low Ground Line-up

The name “Low Ground” was coined when the band was formed in June of 2020. In contrast to other bluegrass band names (which usually highlight the mountains, ridges, and hollers of the genre’s birthplace), “Low Ground” is a nod to the Sunshine State, where musicians usually play at (or below) sea level.

You know those beach days? Those lazy, "sleep for too long on the sand" days? "Slow dips in the salty waves once you’re burnt" days? You know the kind.

Brett Staska makes music for those days. (And all the other types of beach days, too, really.)

Florida-Based Genre-Bender

Born and raised on the banks of the Loxahatchee, Brett Staska is a singer-songwriter who performs at music festivals, beach bars, and breweries throughout the Sunshine State.

Eshtemoh “Esh” Morgan and Chris “Schief” Schiefelbein grew up in vastly different parts of the United States. Esh comes from Brooklyn, where his fathers and uncles started the reggae band Morgan Heritage. Schief is a midwesterner who started his music career at a young age and toured as a guitar tech for Prince.

Despite their distinct backgrounds, these two young men have come together in perfect harmony as the musical duo Esh x Schief. They’re a hit at outdoor venues, sports bars, and concert halls across Florida.

Playing out of Central Florida, JK & the Contraband is a four-piece jazz fusion ensemble that frequents intimate and formal venues throughout Florida.

Tight Instrumentals to Get Loose To*

Most set lists from JK & the Contraband center around the band’s original songs, which bear names like “Three Day Weekend” and “Interloper.” One might describe these pieces as atmospheric, even riveting as they bop, meander, and groove through the airways.

Brett James has an extraordinary career with more than 800 of his songs recorded by some of the world's top artists. His impressive songwriting has contributed to albums selling more than 110 million copies collectively. Among his numerous hit singles, James boasts 27 #1s and a Grammy win in 2006 for "Jesus, Take the Wheel." He earned the title of ASCAP's Country Songwriter of the Year in both 2006 and 2010 and was named Music Row Magazine's Songwriter of the Year in 2015. James has amassed more than 40 ASCAP awards spanning country, pop, Latin, and Christian music.

Blue Foley is a celebrated songwriter with an impressive portfolio of more than 150 major label and independent cuts. His success is underscored by numerous Grammy, Academy of Country Music, and Country Music Association nominations, along with Australia's Golden Guitar and the Dove Award. With eight of his songs premiering on the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage, Foley's immense talent and dedication have captured the hearts of audiences around the globe.

Aris Smith is an energetic teenage country artist from Jacksonville making waves in the music scene. As a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Smith started writing music at just nine years old, and her passion for it has only soared since then. In the last few years, Smith has fallen head over heels for country music and has eagerly shifted her songwriting to embrace this beloved genre. With dreams of hitting the country music big time, she is determined to inspire and uplift others through captivating and heartfelt lyrics.