06/25/2026
Tonight in Cadillac at their downtown Lakefront amphitheater, the Rotary Performing Arts Pavilion, 7pm
it is the Iris John Band from south of St. Louis, Missouri.
They play a mix of classic acoustic and electric blues, folk, funk and swing with few engaging original hits.
This would be a rain or shine event. There’s plenty of room up underneath if we need you to bring up.
Please come and be a part of this community and listener, supportive event… and help us continue our
31 year tradition of UpBeat Cadillac.
Ivas John Band
Blending deep-rooted tradition with fresh energy, The Ivas John Band delivers a live
experience that feels both timeless and alive in the moment. With a sound steeped in blues, folk, and roots Americana, Ivas (guitar and vocals) brings the soul of the Mississippi River to every stage—effortlessly moving between gritty, electric sets and
rich, storytelling acoustics. Tonight, Ivas and his bandmates, Nick Amodeo (guitarand mandolin), Jason Heeter (bass), and Benet Schaeffer (drums), bring to the Scully Tour a performance that is equal parts energy, heart, and soul.
Ivas John is a critically acclaimed roots, blues, and Americana singer-songwriter-guitarist based in the Midwest. Born as a first-generation Lithuanian American into a music-loving Chicago home, his earliest influences came from European folk dancing, melodies hammered out on the family piano, and his hardworking immigrant parents who instilled a deep appreciation for history, language, and tradition. While away at Southern Illinois University, Ivas began backing blues luminaries three times his age and became a fixture on the St. Louis scene. He eventually settled in the Mississippi River town of Cape Girardeau, Missouri—absorbing new influences and leaving his musical mark at every stop along the way. His acclaimed album Good Days A Comin’ topped folk radio charts and earned national praise, cementing his place as one of the region’s most compelling roots artists. The momentum from this album opened the door for Ivas to do more touring in the Hawaiian Islands, UK, Ireland, Canada, and all throughout the Caribbean as part of the Ivas John Blues Cruise, as well as many
noteworthy clubs, festivals, recording studios, and music hubs around the
country, including Nashville, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Denver, and Muscle Shoals, AL. Whether fronting his band or stripping it down to raw acoustic
storytelling, Ivas delivers masterful guitar playing, warm baritone vocals, and authenticity you can feel. When he’s not on tour or holding residence with his great band at their ever popular standing gigs, Ivas works with various organizations to promote the arts culture of Missouri.
Based in Denver, Colorado, Nick Amodeo is a sought-after multi-instrumentalist and accomplished guitarist known for his expertise in bluegrass and mandolin. Nick is
a self-taught musician who began playing guitar at age 12, later expanding to the mandolin and electric bass. He won the prestigious RockyGrass mandolin contest,
has been featured on several award-winning albums, and has toured all over the world. Nick has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, and has shared the stage with many iconic musicians such as Buddy Guy, Vernon Reid, Jason Ricci,
Chuck Campbell (of the Campbell Brothers), Tony Trishka, and members of Slipknot.
Hailing from Southeast Missouri, Jason Heeter is an accomplished singer-songwriter
and multi-instrumentalist who began his musical journey singing in church at age six.
He is known for his soulful Americana and roots rock sound, blending bluesy rock
with folk influences. Since developing his craft through music studies at Southeast
Missouri State, Jason has cut his teeth both in the studio and on stage, performing
alongside artists such as Maggie Rose, Jennifer Hartswick, and Big Something. With a
style ranging from funky to folky, Jason has shared his groove across the U.S., gracing
the stages of the Shipyard Music Festival, MoRoots Music Festival, and Music for the
Mind Festival. When he's not holding down the low end for The Ivas John Band, you
can find Jason performing with his lovely wife, Jessie, in their Americana duo,
Missourado.
Benet Schaeffer has been performing and recording for decades. Based in St. Louis,
he has performed with top St. Louis bands such as the Soulard Blues Band, Leroy
Pierson Band, and Gumbohead. Mentored by Billy Gayles (drummer for Ike Turner
Band) in the 80’s, Benet learned to shuffle, and the phone never stopped ringing.
With over 20 recorded albums and hundreds of tracks to his credit, he knows the
roots of American rhythm inside and out.
Sit back, relax and enjoy a night of masterful musicianship, powerful vocals, and
music that connects—past to present, artist to audience
