(6-18-25) Darke County Center for the Arts’ annual “Barbecue and Blues” event scheduled for Friday July 11 on the Greenville Public Library lawn will welcome two artists who have won a large local following as well as having impressed audiences around the nation with their massive talents and appealing personalities, plus a Dayton musician who has been around music his entire life.

Masterful guitar-player Noah Wotherspoon and his band will headline the event and will be preceded on the stage by singer/songwriter Lisa Biales; opening act Aaron Frohna has performed regularly throughout the Miami Valley for many years. Delicious food offerings will be provided by Badge’s BBQ, Buckeye Burgers, Cray Cray Cajun, and Fren-Cheese Eats; soft drinks, wine and micro brews will be available throughout the evening. 

Photo Credit : Karo Achten, 2018

DCCA Artistic Director of Performing Arts David Warner

“Everyone that attended the ‘Barbecue and Blues’ event Noah Wotherspoon headlined right after the COVID epidemic remembers that night with fondness and enthusiasm, and will definitely want to experience his amazing talents once again; and Lisa Biales’ sweet strong voice and excellent guitar work has charmed and entertained DCCA audiences many times.

Opener Aaron Frohna performs regularly throughout the Miami Valley, and has recorded multiple albums with various bands; all in all, these enormous talents will make for an extraordinary evening of great music.”

Oxford, Ohio, resident Lisa Biales, who grew up in a family of musicians and says that she was probably born singing, has been singing professionally ever since her first paid gig at age 13. “Singing is my gift that I’m supposed to share with people,” Lisa explains. Known for her crystal pure voice and fascinating percussive guitar work as well as her vivid songwriting imagery, Lisa released her first album in 1999 and her most recent, Lisa Biales at Christmas, last November. 

Noah Wotherspoon also found his calling at a very young age, and at age 13 was fronting his own band, Noah and the Stratocats. In 2015, Noah received the best guitarist award at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis; over the intervening years he has earned a reputation as a compelling songwriter, appeared on stage with a wide range of his guitar heroes, and has toured internationally displaying his profound versatility and skill. Completing the ensemble on stage at “Barbecue and Blues,” Noah will be joined by Da’Rosa Richardson on keyboard, Tom Rastikis on bass, drummer Brian Aylor, and the Just Strange Brothers on horns.

“Barbecue and Blues” is sponsored by Matt and Angie Arnold, Financial Achievement Services, George and Becky Luce, Dan and Gail Mueller, Kent and Nancy Zechar, and Zechar Bailey Funeral Home.

Tickets for DCCA’s “Barbecue and Blues” are $10 pre-sale and will cost $15 at the event for those age 13 and over; admission charge for children ages 2 to 12 is $5. DCCA officials invite everyone to bring their lawn chairs or blankets and join them for an evening of delicious food and excellent music. To order tickets, visit darkecountyarts.org or contact DCCA at 937-547-0908.