BENEFIT is a coalition of musicians and community leaders uniting people with music to raise funds and awareness for nonprofit organizations that provide services to children in Loudoun County.
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BENEFIT’s Crossroads Music Festival is a dynamic celebration of music, bringing together local talent, national acts, and living legends at the intersection of diverse musical journeys. By showcasing global icons alongside emerging voices, the festival inspires meaningful connections and fosters cultural exchange.
BENEFIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
7 8 12
Friday Night Kickoff Concert
Headliner: Sister Hazel
Saturday Headlining Performance: “Songs and Stories from the Crossroads – An Evening with Andy Summers” Band Profiles
Saturday Event Schedule
2025 Nonprofit Beneficiaries
President: Ara Bagdasarian I Vice President and President-Elect: Amy Bobchek
Secretary: Amy Newton I Treasurer: Lauren Johns I Artist Committee Chair: Geff Garnhart
Events Committee Chair: Michael Gauvreau I Grants Committee Chair: Ron Eamich
Marketing Committee Chair: Mary Joynt I Public Relations Committee: Amy Newton
Sponsorship Committee Chair: Amy Bobchek I Volunteer Committee: David Butler
At-Large Director: Shye Gilad I At-Large Director: Michael McCabe
At-Large Director: David Butler I At-Large Director: Ron Jarvis I At-Large Director: Norman Styer
CROSSROADS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Web: crossroadsmusicfest.org
@BENEFITPresentsCrossroadsMusicFestival
@crossroads_music_fest
BENEFIT
Web: benefit.live
@BENEFITLoudoun
@benefit_loudoun
From Our Founders
We are so excited to present Crossroads Music Festival 2025, featuring platinum artist Sister Hazel, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Andy Summers from The Police, and over 30 local artists showcasing pop, R&B, jazz, rock and every style in between.
Crossroads Music Festival is a production of BENEFIT, the organization we started back in 2017 to shine a light on needs being met by nonprofits in Loudoun County and raise money for their efforts using the coalescing power of live music. Our vision is to create a culture of giving in this community, and we are inviting you to join us!
This guide has tons of information about our performers, the nonprofit organizations serving Loudoun County kids and families for whom we are raising money this year, a complete schedule
of the FREE performances taking place throughout downtown Leesburg on Saturday, September 20, and so much more. We hope you’ll take the time to read more about what to expect at the festival and learn more about why we do what we do.
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our Saturday Showcase artists, all of whom donate their performances for the cause, our many volunteers who ensure our guests have an exceptional experience, our incredibly committed board of directors, our sponsors, media partners and performers. It truly takes a village to bring this event to life. This year’s festival promises to be our biggest and best ever, and we hope you’ll be part of the history we are making together.
Rock on!
Ara Bagdasarian and Amy Bobchek Co-Founders, BENEFIT and Crossroads Music Festival
FRIDAY NIGHT KICKOFF CONCERT HEADLINER
SisterHazel
THE 2025 CROSSROADS MUSIC FESTIVAL WILL KICK OFF WITH SISTER HAZEL HEADLINING FRIDAY, SEPT. 19, AT TALLY HO THEATER
Originating from Gainesville, Florida, Southern rock band Sister Hazel is made up of five skilled and experienced musicians. Their hit song “All for You” soared to the top of the adult alternative charts in the summer of 1997, driving their album to achieve platinum status. Since then, the band has established itself across rock, alternative, and country genres, with multiple entries on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart. Known for their dedication to fans, Sister Hazel was a pioneer in the themed cruise and desti-
nation event industry with the launch of “The Rock Boat” and regularly hosts unique fan-focused events such as the “Hazelnut Hang” and “Camp Hazelnut.” They also maintain a strong social media presence with over a million followers. Beyond their musical activities, the band is committed to charitable efforts through “Lyrics For Life,” a nonprofit founded by lead singer Ken Block, has raised over 5 million dollars by bringing together musicians and celebrities for concerts and auctions to support cancer research and patient care. •
(Photo credit: Paul Privette)
SATURDAY HEADLINING PERFORMANCE
AndySummers
“SONGS
AND STORIES FROM THE CROSSROADS – AN EVENING WITH ANDY SUMMERS”
Andy Summers will headline the Saturday, Sept. 20, portion of the festival with an intimate solo performance at Tally Ho Theater. As the featured “Songs and Stories from the Crossroads” artist, Summers will share his musical journey through a unique blend of storytelling, live performance, and an on-stage interview.
Best known as the guitarist for The Police, Andy Summers’ music spans decades and is a unique and personal spin on influences from jazz, classical, world music, rock ‘n’ roll, and pop. His status as a guitar legend is built upon a founda-
tion of experimentation in both cerebral and visceral sounds. Every time Summers releases a new solo album or collaboration, he never disappoints fans with his improvisational skill, singular compositions, and ability to sidestep obvious musical conventions.
Summers’ discography starts with his first professional gig as guitar player for Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band, a popular British rhythm and blues band in the mid-1960s. He was featured on such albums as “It Should Have Been Me” and “Transition.” Two albums were re-released with the group in 1999 and 2000.
Preceding his time with The Police, Summers played with a number of British acid rock and rock and roll acts such as Eric Burdon and The Animals. Highlights from this era in his career include “Love Is” with the Animals and “Heartburn” and “Matching Head and Feet” with Kevin Coyne. The late nineties saw the release of the Dantalion’s Chariot album.
With the legendary rock group The Police, Summers contributed his guitar talents to such ground-breaking and multi-platinum albums as “Message In A Box,” “Synchronicity,” “Outlandos D’Amour,” “Regatta De Blanc,” “Zeyatta Mondatta,” “Ghost In The Machine,” “Live,” “The Singles,” “Strontium 90,” and 2008’s “Certifiable” DVD from The Police’s 2007-2009 world tour. The Police were inducted into the Rock
(Photo credit: Mo Summers)
ANDY SUMMERS FROM PAGE 5
and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, and Summers won five Grammys for his performances with this epic band.
As a solo artist, Summers has cultivated his fascination with jazz, world music and improvisation. His solo albums include “XYZ,” “Mysterious Barricades,” “The Golden Wire,” “Charming Snakes,” “World Gone Strange,” “Synaethesia,” “The Last Dance of Mr. X,” “Retrospective,” “Green Chimneys,” “Peg-
gy’s Blue Skylight,” “Earth + Sky,” “The X Tracks,” “Metal Dog,” “Triboluminescence,” and “Harmonics of the Night.”
Summers has also taken the opportunity in recent years to collaborate with other artists of exceptional talent such as John Etheridge, Robert Fripp, Fernanda Takai, Ben Verdery, and Victor Biglione. Some of his popular collaboration albums include “I Advance Masked” and “Bewitched” with Robert Fripp, “Invisible Threads” with John Etheridge, “Strings of Desire” and “Splendid Brazil” with Victor Biglione, and “First You Build A Cloud” with Ben Verdery. In 2009, Summers recorded with Brazilian legend Roberto Menescal. In 2012, Summers wrote and produced the album “Fundamental” in collaboration with Fernanda Takai, the Brazilian singer of the band Pato Fu.
While living in Los Angeles, Summers has also written a number of beautiful film scores, writing or contributing to the scores of such films as “Down and Out in Beverly Hills,” “Weekend at Bernie’s,” “2010,” and “Wild Life.” To this day, he continues to create music, produce, and share his artistic side with the world through his writing and photography. •
Band Profiles
FRIDAY NIGHT KICKOFF CONCERT- OPENING PERFORMERS
ALLSK8
ALLSK8, a Northern Virginia party rock/pop/ dance music trio, brings an eclectic mix of hit songs from across the decades, with big harmonies and big fun!
Frayed Knots
Frayed Knots performs a versatile mix of original songs and epic cover tunes in the classic and modern rock styles. frayedknots. net
SATURDAY NIGHT - OPENING PERFORMER
Johnny Kasun
Johnny Kasun is a guitarist, musician, songwriter, and music producer originally from the DC Metro area — now residing just outside NYC. He writes and performs in multiple genres, from classical to rock, and specializes in fingerstyle guitar. johnnykasun.com
SATURDAY MUSIC SHOWCASE PERFORMANCES
Airmont Road
Airmont Road is a classic rock and blues band. airmontroad. com
Annie Stokes
Annie Stokes’ music reflects the patient and careful fusion of traditional Americana sounds with modern singer-songwriter lyricism. She’s been described by one fan as “the musical child of Alison Krauss and Nick Cave.” anniestokesmusic.com
Big Brad and The Day Drinkers
Big Brad and the Day Drinkers is a top-tier party rock band playing a wide variety of hits from the ’60s through today.
Bob Crerie
Bob Crerie is a singer-songwriter whose boundless inquisitive imagination drives him to excel in many musical styles. Bob’s lead and rhythm guitar parts will satisfy your hunger for heartfelt soulful blues. bobcrerie.com
Chris Ellinghaus
Chris Hammock
Chris Hammock is a singer-songwriter out of the heart of Virginia, creating music with a mellow, acoustic feel. chrishammockmusic.com
Chris Timbers
Chris Timbers is a Northern Virginia native bringing you alternative soul through jazz, blues, rock, and country. christimbers.com
Cracked Sky
Cracked Sky will satisfy your craving for the best of ’90s grunge, alternative, punk-pop, and rock music!
Crosscut Saw
Crosscut Saw plays blues rock and roll inspired by Joe Bonamassa, Albert King, and Peter Frampton, among others.
Chris Ellinghaus is an accomplished guitarist and vocalist. He provides a unique blend of original compositions and cover tunes with vocals that are reminiscent of James Taylor, Billy Joel, and Neil Young, to name a few.
Playing a mix of original and cover tunes, Crosscut Saw brings virtuoso guitar, Hammond organ, and a solid rhythm section to rock their shows.
Dave Mininberg
Let Dave Mininberg take you on a Mini Vacation! A veteran performer with a national and international radio presence, Dave takes you away with his stories and songs. His current EP, “Scruffy Love Songs” has reached No. 6 nationally and No. 2 in Virginia on the Roots Americana Charts. davemininberg.com
Good for Sunday
Good for Sunday rocks great songs from classic, alternative, contemporary rock, and blues genres. gfsband.com
Intellect
Intellect - an intricate lyricist obsessed with his craft. therealintellect.com
Joey Bauer
County, VA, and the relaxing and riotous rock that is Key West, FL. Her velvety vocals and moving originals unite her with listeners in unforced and memorable ways. julianamacdowell.com
Ken Kemp
There’s “a little bit of everything, and something for everyone” when Ken performs. His ever-expanding repertoire is an eclectic mix that includes the Beatles, Eagles, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and The Allman Brothers – to name just a few – along with a smattering of originals that touch on love, loss, and social justice.
Laurie Blue
of funky saxophone, seamlessly blending soulful grooves with electrifying energy that makes every performance unforgettable. Known for his magnetic stage presence and deep connection to funk, Lil’ Maceo brings the sax to life, infusing classic funk rhythms with a fresh, contemporary edge. Whether he’s playing original tunes or reimagining popular hits with his unique style, his music resonates with listeners of all ages and backgrounds. lilmaceo.com
Loudoun Jazz Ensemble
Loudoun Jazz Ensemble is an 18-piece big band performing big band jazz standards and more. ljemanager.wixsite.com/website-1
Joey Bauer is a singer-songwriter who lives in Leesburg, VA. His style is described as Americana rock with a country feel. He performs at solo/ duo gigs or with his group, Joey and the Waitress Band, playing an eclectic mix of covers and Joey’s own originals.
Juliana MacDowell
Juliana MacDowell is an Americana singer-songwriter who lives between the hills and hollers of Loudoun
Laurie Blue is a singer-songwriter rooted in the Northern Virginia music scene. She composes and records original music, hosts open mics, and performs a wide variety of original rock and classic covers on guitar and flute. Laurie is also a member of the band Dark Blue Moon with Greg Petrecca and Sean Lawrence. She is a business ally of Equality Loudoun’s Equality Allies community partnership program. laurieblue.com
LESSON ZERO
LESSON ZERO plays way cool music, original indie roots rock, and classic covers. LESSON ZERO features melodic vocal harmonies and amazing instrumental work with Kerry Miller - bass and vocals, Guitar George Anspach - guitar and vocals, Terry Kean - drums and vocals, and Greg Petrecca - guitar and vocals. reverbnation.com/lessonzero
Lil’ Maceo
Lil’ Maceo is a true force in the world
Lucas Mason
Lucas Mason is an acoustic and electric musician who reimagines songs from the ’70s to today with a unique and rhythmic tenacity. lucaslucaslucas.com
Max Redding & The Dogwood Gospel
Max Redding & the Dogwood Gospel is a high-energy, punk-infused Americana band based out of the hills surrounding Lucketts, VA — a small hamlet in Loudoun County at the base of Furnace Mountain. The band’s sound borrows heavily from the hard-hitting lyrical and vocal styles of country singers such as Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson, with a sonic musical attack reminiscent of bands like Green Day, Hot Water
BAND PROFILES FROM PAGE 10
Music, The Bouncing Souls, and Alkaline Trio. dogwoodgospel.com
Metro to Paris
Metro to Paris is an alternative rock band based out of Northern Virginia and can be found at shows around the DMV. They feature a unique blend of storytelling, brooding melodies, and funky beats.
Mike McCabe
Mike McCabe is a Virginia-based folk and blues guitarist whose thoughtful musical arrangements have earned him an enthusiastic and loyal audience around the DMV.
Mintons Academy of Music
At Mintons Academy of Music, they don’t just teach music — they inspire, empower, and build a lifelong love for the art. Their performance will include Student Spotlights; The Voyagers – Mintons student band; Dani + The Wired Sky – Mintons teacher band; and Lost In Cymatics – Mintons alumni band mintonsmusic.com
Peter Bollinger
Peter Bollinger, with the Cow Abungas, sing of the mystery of love on the lonesome trail. The train rhythm of the drums set the tone for the Americana ride.
Rob Hoey
Rob Hoey is a Loudoun County resident for 20+ years hailing from the Jersey Shore. With one voice and
SunCrest
one acoustic guitar, he delivers upbeat, rhythmic covers of hits and deep cuts from the past 60+ years in rock, pop, and country
SunCrest is a teen alt-rock band from Loudoun County playing original songs and favorites from bands like Foo Fighters, The Toadies, Live, and more. suncrest-band.com
The Dead Queens
The Dead Queens is an alternative rock group from Leesburg, VA, blending grunge, alternative, and blues. With a carefully crafted list of covers by Queens of the Stone Age, The White Stripes, and The Black Keys to name a few, The Dead Queens also have their own hard-hitting originals that will make listeners get on their feet for the sounds of the ’90s. thedeadqueens.com
The Ragweeds
The Ragweeds are Chris Sia (mandolin/vocals) and Shye Gilad (guitar/ vocals/beats). The duo performs an eclectic mix of pop, rock, and Americana songs from across the decades in a distinctive style, featuring dynamic harmonies and percussive arrangements.
Thomas Hinds
Blues-based Americana artist Thomas Hinds is a hard-touring troubadour surviving on songs from the heart and a passion believing each
day will be exactly what is needed, both bitter and sweet. thomashindsmedia.com
Tripp McCullar
Tripp McCullar is a GenX rock guitarist who grew up near Memphis, TN — birthplace of the blues and home of Elvis Presley. Originally an ’80s hard rock guitarist, Tripp rocks big arena classics, often distilled and mashed up with ironic fun tunes and other surprises.
Uncle Drew and the Scoundrels
Uncle Drew and the Scoundrels — an Americana band from Bristow, VA — blends folk, blues, rock, and country to create an authentic American sound. uncledrewscoundrels.com
Ylodion
Ylodion is a local “bedroom punk” artist from Leesburg, VA. His music combines elements from 2000s pop punk and Midwest emo, as well as a few influences taken from bedroom pop.
THANK YOU to our participating musicians!
Your performance adds meaning to our event and helps make a lasting impact. THANK YOU
Beneficiaries
BENEFIT is a coalition of musicians and community leaders uniting people with music to raise funds and awareness for nonprofit organizations that provide services to children in Loudoun County.
BENEFIT’s Crossroads Music Festival is a dynamic celebration of music, bringing together local talent, national acts, and living legends at the intersection of diverse musical journeys. By showcasing global icons alongside emerging voices, the festival inspires meaningful connections and fosters cultural exchange.
Your support of BENEFIT and our 2025 Crossroads Music Festival helps raise funds for the following nonprofit organizations:
A Place To Be
The mission of A Place To Be is to create community, belonging, and hope for individuals with disabilities, neurodivergence, or other medical or mental health challenges through music therapy, performance, and the expressive arts. aplacetobeva.org
The
Arc of Loudoun
The Arc of Loudoun strives to bring about a just, equitable world for people with disabilities. The organization’s mission is to advocate for, educate, serve, and support people
with disabilities. Programs The Arc of Loudoun provides include the Aurora School, Aurora Behavior Clinic, Ability Fitness Center, ALLY Advocacy Center, and Open Door Learning Center. thearcofloudoun.org
Dulles South Food Pantry
Dulles South Food Pantry is a community-driven nonprofit serving Dulles residents and the surrounding area, providing nutritious food, personal supplies and life changing social services to our neighbors in need. The organization’s goal is to alleviate hunger in Loudoun County by soliciting, collecting and distributing food through a food pantry based within the Dulles community that is supported by a network of multi-faith institutions and community organizations. dsfp.org
Dulles South Soup Kitchen
The mission of Dulles South Soup Kitchen is to provide nutritious hot meals, free of charge, to anyone who is seeking nourishment, in a dignified and compassionate environment. dullessouthsoupkitchen.org
Food For Neighbors
Food For Neighbors is committed to ending teen hunger in Northern Virginia by raising awareness
and inspiring community action. When people understand the need, they step up—because no teen should ever go hungry. foodforneighbors.org
Loudoun Youth Inc.
Loudoun Youth, Inc. coordinates community resources to assist in the development of youth programs and to create leadership opportunities for young people. The organization seeks to provide diverse programs that empower all youth in Loudoun County; support and develop programs that provide Loudoun teens positive out-of-school activities in safe, nurturing environments; and help teens become more confident and contributing members of our society. loudounyouth.org
Northern Virginia Diaper Bank
“Make a Change from the Bottom Up.” A Hand Up - NOVA, Inc./ Northern Virginia Diaper Bank is dedicated to the distribution of free diapers to families in crisis in Northern Virginia through partner agencies, including the local public school systems. They are committed to
alleviating the inadequate supply of diapers which puts families with babies and young children at an increased risk for health problems and complications.
novadiaperbank.org
Ryan Bartel Foundation
Ryan Bartel Foundation’s mission is to prevent youth suicide through awareness, upstream educational programs and activities that support and empower youth, families, and the community at-large through acceptance, connection, resiliency, and hope.
ryanbartelfoundation.org
Salvation Army of Loudoun
The Salvation Army of Loudoun provides emergency assistance to help with rent and utility bills, food and hunger relief, diapers, clothing, and furniture as well as homelessness. They also offer an Angel Tree program which provides toys for children during Christmas.
loudoun.salvationarmypotomac.org/ loudoun-county
BENEFIT
MUSIC MAKING A DIFFERENCE
We asked our nonprofit beneficiaries how donations help support their work. Below are few of their responses.
A donation of $25 will:
Provide diapers for a baby for 11 days
Provide school supplies for Aurora School
Allow a child to attend the School for Performing Arts for a month
Support one Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition team with materials to bring their project to life
A donation of $50 will:
Provide diapers for a baby for three weeks
Help people with disabilities be treated fairly and reach their full potential
Allow a child to attend the School for Performing Arts for two months
Provide materials for a child to attend music-based social skills groups
Ensure youth receive certificates for completion of Leadership Program
Provide five students with basic (full-sized) toiletries
A donation of $100 will:
Provide diapers for a baby for six weeks
Help people with disabilities overcome barriers and gain access to essential services
Feed a family of four for three days
Provide a workshop for children in middle and high school that helps them deal with the stresses of everyday life
Provide one daily meal for a family for a week
A donation of $250 will:
Provide diapers for a baby for 14 weeks
Underwrite original music, scriptwriting, choreography, and professional recording for inclusive therapeutic theater production
Provide a four-week series of support group activities that provide teens with tools and strategies to use in moments of heightened anxiety, stress, or sadness
