The Kokosing Valley Arts Alliance (KVAA) invites the community to an evening of powerful blues, rock, funk and soul as KVAA Concerts at The Woodward: Blues Night takes the stage at the historic Woodward Opera House on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
The evening will feature two dynamic regional acts — Frank Boyd Jr. & the Bona-Fide Truth and Cryin’ Out Loud — bringing distinctive styles and decades of musical experience to one of Mount Vernon’s most celebrated stages.
Frank Boyd Jr., originally from Brownsville, Tennessee, has called Mansfield, Ohio, home for the past 30 years. The son of a bluesman, Boyd was introduced to the music at an early age, hearing legendary artists such as Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf play and influence the music that filled his childhood home.
That foundation grew into a lifelong passion for the blues. A powerful musician and performer, Boyd has shared his talents alongside many accomplished artists over the years. Today, his music is also deeply connected to his passion for ministry and his desire to use his talents to encourage and serve others. Together with the Bona-Fide Truth, Boyd brings the sound, spirit and storytelling of the blues to the Woodward stage.
Joining them is Cryin’ Out Loud, a dynamic blues-rock and funk band known for venturing well beyond the standard playbook.
Driven by founding members Robert Shipley on keyboards and Bob Stulka on bass, Cryin’ Out Loud has developed a reputation for tackling ambitious material with creativity and musicianship. Eric Barkdull and Dave Wilkes provide a powerful combination of vocals and guitar, while McCray Martin on drums anchors the rhythm section and Eric Snyder on saxophone adds another expressive dimension to the band’s sound.
With inventive mashups, clever transitions and intricate arrangements, Cryin’ Out Loud blends blues, rock, funk and soul into an energetic live performance. The group also features original compositions that showcase its distinctive musical voice.
Blues Night is part of KVAA Concerts at The Woodward, a concert series presented by the Kokosing Valley Arts Alliance at the historic Woodward Opera House. The series showcases outstanding local and regional talent from throughout the Kokosing River Valley, Central Ohio and the greater Midwest while bringing audiences together to experience live music in one of the region’s most unique historic venues.
Featuring:
Frank Boyd Jr. & the Bona-Fide Truth
Cryin’ Out Loud
Tickets are available in advance through the Woodward Opera House ticketing system.
For music lovers, Blues Night offers an opportunity to experience two distinctive bands, one historic stage and an evening celebrating the depth and diversity of the blues tradition right here in downtown Mount Vernon.
