Border Bash: Moga Family Band with Freezer

Believe in Bristol is thrilled to announce the 26th Anniversary season of the beloved Border Bash summer concert series. Free and open to the public, Border Bash brings exciting live music, local vendors, and family-friendly fun to the heart of Downtown Bristol while showcasing a diverse array of talent - from local favorites to nationally recognized artists. Families with young children are invited to play games and make crafts in our Kid Zone, check out our food and craft vendors, and explore our locally-owned downtown businesses while you're there!
Presented in partnership with the Birthplace of Country Music, this season’s Border Bash will serve as a preview for the annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, showcasing select artists who will also take the stage at the internationally celebrated music festival scheduled for Sept. 11-13 of this year.

August 14th - The Downtown Center (810 State Street)
6:30 PM – Freezer
8:00 PM – Moga Family Band

The Moga Family Band is a powerhouse collective blending soulful vocals, jam-band-worthy musicianship, and pop-friendly hooks. Hailed as the trailblazers of contemporary blues, this Nashville-based "chosen family" has quickly evolved from a local secret to a national force.
The band recently cemented their status as genre-benders by winning the Blues Category in the 2024 American Songwriter Competition for their hit single "I Can’t Make You Understand." That victory has catapulted them into a massive 2026 season: they have been selected for the 2026 High Sierra Music Festival (sharing the bill with The Word and Don Was) and the Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival (alongside moe. and Daniel Donato), and will be a featured act at the American Songwriter "Road Ready" Showcase in Nashville.
Featuring the dynamic talents of Sister Emme Cannon (vocals), Uncle Eric Fortaleza (bass), Brother Jake Baynes (guitar), Cousin Cav Mims (keys), Papa Dekar Justus (drums), and Baby Owen Fader (vocals/sax), the group’s individual resumes are as impressive as their collective sound; members have toured with heavyweights like Cory Wong, Victor Wooten, Keith Urban, and Lainey Wilson.
Fresh off the release of their immersive record Live From Percy Priest (2025) and their "Moga Mondays" residency at The Underdog, the band continues to deliver the wildest, sensory-overloaded live performance experience on the scene. It takes a village to change the world—we just gave it a name: The Moga Family Band.

Freezer is a newly formed local high school band that recently won this year’s high school talent show with an energetic performance that quickly caught the community’s attention. As part of Border Bash’s commitment to supporting the next generation of local music, we’re excited to welcome these young musicians to the stage and give audiences a chance to see one of Bristol’s newest up-and-coming bands early on in their journey.

Border Bash is hosted by Believe in Bristol and would not be possible with our community sponsors. Special thank you to the City of Bristol, Tennessee, City of Bristol, Virginia, Explore Bristol, The Bristol Hotel, The Sessions Hotel, media sponsor WCYB, and tourism partners Virginia is for Lovers, Tennessee Vacation, Visit Southwest Virginia, and Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association.