HOME FREE to headline three-day music festival

By Deborah Rose

Music at one of New Milford’s most scenic venues will be the order of this weekend.

A music festival, Music on the Mountain Connecticut, will kick off Friday, Aug. 11, at Candlelight Farms.

The event will feature performances by nine bands over three days, including HOME FREE, an American country a cappella group comprised of five vocalists that won season four of “The Sing-Off” On NBC.

In addition, food trucks, yard games, specialty vendor, local crafters, a craft beer garden, and more will be offered.

“We really want to bring some special events to the property,” said Candlelight Farms owner Carl Dunham. “And music is a new twist.”

Candlelight Farms, located at 214 Candlelight Mountain Road, is an exclusive wedding and event venue located on a private 600-acre estate.

The sprawling lawn, pond, barns and scenic views make the site ideal for a music festival such as this, Dunham said.

One Track Mind, a local band that performs pop, country and classic favorites, will open the festival Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the farm’s Great Lawn.

The entertainment will continue Saturday, Aug. 12, with three bands from 2 to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 13, with five bands from noon to 8 p.m.

Saturday’s lineup will include On The Trail, Charlie Widmer and HOME FREE.

On The Trail, a bluegrass and beyond quartet, will showcase their talent Saturday at 2 p.m., performing country, bluegrass, and pop.

Charlie Widmer, who was born in Switzerland, is an acclaimed and award-winning multi-genre singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, actor and guitarist based in Connecticut. He will take the stage at 4 p.m.

HOME FREE will close out Saturday’s performances at 5 p.m.

“I would have done anything to go, and I am doing anything to, I am going,” said Heather Detrick, who has been a fan since they were on the “The Sing-Off.”

“They’re phenomenal,” she said. “They have a sound quality that no one else has,” citing the fact that all of the sounds listeners hear are made by the musicians’ vocal chords.

Detrick said she is elated the band is coming to Connecticut because, as a longtime fan, she has been trying to figure out how to see them and they have toured mostly in Midwest.

The local resident said when she heard the band would be in town, she thought, “’You’ve got to be kidding me. How did you get this group to come here?’”

Sunday will be jam-packed with music by five bands.

Country Steel, based in Northwest Connecticut, is a modern, high-energy, five-musician band will jumpstart the musical entertainment at noon.

A duo from Goshen, Brother Other, will perform a mix of hits from Tom Petty to Old Dominion, as well as their originals beginning at 2 p.m.

Following Brother Other will be On The Trail will return to the stage at 4 p.m.

The Zolla Boys, a brother duo from Torrington, will at 5:30 p.m. delight attendees with their bluegrass music.

Country Steel will close out the festival at 6:30 p.m.

Detrick said she is hopeful the music festival will become an annual event.

Seating for Music on the Mountain will be arranged by sections and tiers.

Tickets range from $35 to $185, depending on zones based on location to the stage. In addition, two VIP levels are available.

For more information and tickets, visit https://musiconthemountainct.com.

Courtesy of Home Free

Courtesy of On the Trail

Courtesy of Charle Widmer

Courtesy of Country Steel

Courtesy of The Zolla Boys

Courtesy of Brother Other

Courtesy of One Track Mind