The Groove Merchants

The Groove Merchants have been delivering powerful, funky, explosive performances for years, particularly in the Lehigh Valley, down through Philadelphia and beyond.  They’ve become THE way to open Musikfest several years in a row now on the Stadtplatz stage.

Founded in college at Kutztown by powerhouse frontman Tye Vallone, rippin blues guitarist Luke Ferracone, and groovy bassist John Evin Groome, they’ve progressed through various iterations that included horns, back-up singers, the iconic Hammond keys, and can now often be seen as a 9-piece celebration of live music performance.

WIth new music coming out and a release show in Philly coming up, we’ll spend time to learn more about their journey and what the vision is for the band now after over a decade of performing together.

We’ll share some tracks of theirs from over the years, and it sounds like Tye might play something live acoustic (perhaps the new music … ?)  so you won’t want to miss this one.

And if you’ve never heard The Groove Merchants before, we’ll then I’m kinda jealous.  Nothing like the first time you experience this fantastic band!

Artist Bio

Founded in 2012, out of the practice rooms and Main Street basements of Kutztown University in Pennsylvania by lead vocalist Tye Vallone, lead guitarist Luke Ferracone, and bassist John Evin Groome, the band discovered their chemistry almost instantly. Twisting in elements of blues, funk and soul resulting in a revival of authentic performance, The Groove Merchants have been pushing that sound forward ever since.The group now boasts driving a 9-piece lineup ideal for larger stages.  This full-bodied, energetic, and soulful sound can be heard on the Groove Merchants’ 2023 release, “Real Estate,” produced by Grammy-winner Phil Joly and mastered by Colin Bryson out of The Bunker/Electric Lady Studios in NYC, the song has received major airplay on WXPN Philadelphia and NPR affiliate WDIY in Bethlehem. New music is planned for release in late 2026.

Celebrate what happens when The Groove Merchants control the room.  With each performance, the band strives to create an energy that lies inside intimate clubs and transcends past large stages. Once The Groove Merchants show up, expect relentless, soulful energy and a belief in connecting beyond music.

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