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 that viral-hits energy that makes you sing along, these guys leave no notes unheard.

Hear the story behind their iconic nostalgia-stirring rendition of “Drops of Jupiter”… and learn why Sean's wedding on the Alive @ Five stage is still one of Frederick’s sweetest moments. Bonus: a local guest vocalist may just add a new layer you didn’t see coming.

Resources & More:
• Learn more about Alive @ Five and support Downtown Frederick at downtownfrederick.org (Downtown Frederick Partnership)
• Tune in via the Frederick Podcast Network at listenfrederick.com

On the Creek This Week:

• Music: Crash the Limo

• Food: Sabor de Cuba & Dōp Pizza

• Beer: Brewer’s Alley (Tap Takeover: Sandbox)

• Wine: Atomic 97 Beer & Wine

• Cocktails + Mocktails: McClintock Distilling Co., Tenth Ward Distilling Co. & True Standard Distillery

Event Info: Alive @ Five is Frederick’s ultimate Thursday summer happy hour, located at Carroll Creek Amphitheater, 5–8 PM every Thursday. Admission is $6 (cash or credit at the gate), 21+ only with valid ID. Drink tokens are also $6 each—beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails—and food is available on site. No outside beverages or coolers. Free water is available inside.

See you on the creek!

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 infectious positivity.

In this episode, the band shares stories from the road, their creative process, and the journey that brought them from acting class to playing some of the country’s biggest festivals. From motorcycle rallies in Sturgis to their upcoming Alive @ Five debut in Frederick, Wild Planes bring big energy, laughs, and a love for connecting with fans wherever they go.

Catch them live on Carroll Creek this Thursday, August 28th, and hear why their “sexy rock” vibe is one you won’t want to miss.

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, funk, Motown, jazz, reggae, folk, and pop into an unforgettable experience.

In this episode, Tom shares the band’s journey from dive bars to major events, how they keep their performances fresh, and what fans can expect when they take over the Alive @ Five stage for the very first time. Spoiler alert: get ready for dance-floor-filling medleys, big grooves, and a whole lot of soul.

🎶 This Thursday’s Alive @ Five Lineup

• Music: Tom Starr Band

• Food: Sabor De Cuba & Cookin’ With Greece

• Beer: Brewer’s Alley

• Tap Takeover: Idiom Brewing Co.

• Wine: Atomic 97 Beer & Wine

• Cocktails + Mocktails: McClintock Distilling Co., Tenth Ward Distilling Co. & True Standard Distillery

Alive @ Five runs every Thursday from 5–8 PM at Carroll Creek Amphitheater. Admission is $6 (21+ only, ID required), with proceeds supporting the Downtown Frederick Partnership.

For full season details, visit downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive.

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 being named Best Band in Baltimore by Baltimore Magazine, to gearing up for her highly anticipated sophomore album Crush.

We talk about her favorite Frederick hangouts, the magic of playing outdoors along Carroll Creek, and get a sneak peek at her infectious new single “Dizzy.” Plus, hear the unexpected way her latest track was born from a Fleetwood Mac cover gone off-script.

Get ready for an inside look at the artistry, community, and energy that make Enslow’s Alive @ Five return on Thursday, August 14th one you won’t want to miss.

🎶 Alive @ Five happens every Thursday, 5–8PM at Carroll Creek Amphitheater in Downtown Frederick. Presented by ACNB Bank. 21+ only. Learn more at downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive.

• Their long-awaited debut at Alive @ Five, and what it means to the band
• How classical violinist Elle reshaped their signature sound
• Why their genre-bending covers win over even the most unsuspecting crowds
• The magic of DIY performance spaces and building creative community in Frederick
• Sulaiman’s dual life as a musician and owner of Reps & Sweat, a local martial arts and fitness studio 🥋

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, The 8 Ohms have blurred genre lines, fusing hard groove, funk, soul, reggae, rock, and a little DC go-go. In this episode, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process, on-stage improvisation, and the tight-knit family dynamic that fuels their electrifying performances.

You’ll also hear about their most memorable gigs—like sharing the stage with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Artemis Pyle—and what’s next for the band. Whether they’re covering Beyoncé, Bob Marley, or throwing down original tracks, The 8 Ohms promise a show that keeps the dance floor moving.

🎶 Don’t miss The 8 Ohms Band live at Alive @ Five:

• 📅 Thursday, July 24 | 5–8PM

• 📍 Carroll Creek Amphitheater, Frederick, MD

• 🍕 Food: Dōp Pizza & Belles’

• 🍺 Beer: Brewer’s Alley

• 🍷 Wine: Atomic 97 Beer & Wine

• 🍹 Cocktails + Mocktails: McClintock, Tenth Ward & True Standard Distillery

💵 $6 admission | 21+ only
🎧 Learn more & view the full lineup: downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive

🎧 Tune in every Monday for a new episode of Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five! See you on the Creek.

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,breakups, family memories, and even a vocal injury, into emotionally resonant music.

Plus, get a sneak peek at the band’s Alive @ Five setlist, which promises a genre-mashing mix of originals and bluegrass-style covers (Whitney Houston, anyone?). Justin’s humor, honesty, and down-to-earth energy shine in this conversation, and if you weren’t excited for his set on the creek before, you will be after this.

🎶 Don’t miss Justin Trawick and the Common Good live at Alive @ Five!
📍 Visit downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive for full event details.
🎧 Listen to more episodes on the Listen Frederick Podcast Network: listenfrederick.com

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.

Originally formed as Brother’s Keeper in 2017, the group released their debut self-titled LP in 2018 before evolving into Honest Lee Soul. With the additions of Reggie Maddox (bass), Kirk Meyers (keys), and Devin Brown (drums), the band found its core lineup—leading to the release of their first full-length album One Life in 2022 and follow-up Testify in 2023. In May 2024, they were voted Best Blues Band by the Maryland Music Awards.

In this episode, Rahsaan and Cullen dive into:

• How their unique lineup and backgrounds shape their dynamic live shows

• The organic growth of the band and their deep musical influences, from Bill Withers and The Roots to go-go music and CeeLo Green

• Why Frederick feels like a second home and the role Olde Mother Brewing played in bringing them to Alive @ Five

• How they approach setlists (hint: they don’t use them) and what fans can expect—original music, surprise covers, and undeniable energy

Whether performing as a duo or full ensemble, Honest Lee Soul aims to do two things: make you feel something—and make you move.

Visit downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive for full event details, and don’t miss Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five every Monday for artist interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and more. See you on the Creek!