Off North Shore: Skokie Music Festival | Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs, Larkin Poe, Bones of J.R. Jones, Empty Pockets

Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs

Mike Campbell was a member, architect and co-captain of the Heartbreakers, a band he co-founded with Tom Petty, whom he met in a Gainesville, Florida carport in 1972.

The Heartbreakers lead guitarist, Campbell co-wrote many of the Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers hits and also co-produced many of their albums – in addition to penning songs for Don Henley (“Boys of Summer”), Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks and playing on records by Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash.

In 2018, Campbell joined Fleetwood Mac’s World Tour on lead guitar and in 2020, Campbell released Wreckless Abandon, the first album by The Dirty Knobs, a group that was Campbell longtime side project but is now his primary musical focus.

Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs released their second LP External Combustion in 2022 and toured the USA, including runs opening for both Chris Stapleton and The Who.

Larkin Poe

Rebecca & Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe are Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist sisters creating their own brand of Roots Rock ‘n’ Roll: gritty, soulful, and flavored by their southern heritage. Originally from Atlanta and currently living in Nashville, they are self-producers of an electrifying, critically acclaimed body of work and are known for constantly touring across the globe with a fiery vitality.

The Bones of J.R. Jones

The Bones of J.R. Jones is the musical project of Jonathon Linaberry, an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for his soulful blend of blues, folk, and Americana. With a distinctive raw and gritty sound, Linaberry captivates audiences with his powerful vocals, skillful guitar playing, and dynamic one-man band performances. His music explores themes of love, loss, and the human experience, resonating with authenticity and emotion. The Bones of J.R. Jones has garnered acclaim for its compelling live performances and soul-stirring recordings, showcasing Linaberry’s ability to channel the spirit of traditional roots music while infusing it with a contemporary edge.

Empty Pockets

SKOKIE’S OWN!!!
Sincerity, pathos and powerhouse vocals. “Polished yet rootsy Chicago outfit Empty Pockets” (Rolling Stone) celebrates old-school classic rock, folk, and the blues, skillfully blending singer/songwriter catharsis with rich harmonies and real players. Bold Americana flavors straight from the soul.

When not busy recording in their personal studio, The Empty Pockets are out on the road headlining or opening for acts like Bob Schneider, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers) and Dave Mason (Traffic), among many others. They also have passionately served as backing band for a number of artists of note, including Kenny Loggins, Al Stewart, Gary Wright, Richie Furay (of Buffalo Springfield), and Simon Kirke (of Bad Company).