The Music of Crabgrass

On Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., at the Betty Strong Encounter Center, get ready for some foot stompin’, handclapin’ music as Crabgrass performs Traditional, Bluegrass, and Country Music. Admission is free, but freewill donations are encouraged. Crabgrass takes you back in time to the songs of the Grand Old Opry as Joan Wells and Kris Simon perform songs of the Carter family, Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Flatt & Scruggs, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and various other artists. Each tune is rich in arrangement, and these musicians have years of performing experience. The originator of Crabgrass, Joan Wells, a native of Seward NE from a musical, artistic family, sings and plays rhythm and lead guitar. A Carroll IA native, Kris Simon sings harmony, plays bass, and provides some comedy for the performance. Kris also performs “Cattle Trails and Songs of the West” through Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau. Joining them at this performance is Steve Hanson, a Lincoln musician who was influenced by his musician parents. He began playing at age 13. He spent his career Steve teaches guitar, mandolin, and banjo. Altogether they are known as “Crabgrass,” a unique sound inspired by their lover for real traditional music. Crabgrass is a Lincoln, NE-based group who has performed for over ten years in the Lincoln and Omaha area.