By Ilana Rapp
originally published: 04/25/2025
Photo by Penny Liss
For a bunch of crows, these guys sure have a lot of energy! I'm talking about the Old Crow Medicine Show, who are currently on their Circle The Wagons Tour. They made a pitstop in New Jersey at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on April 23, 2025 and had the whole building shaking.
If you're unfamiliar with this Grammy-award winning Americana string band, co-founded by Ketch Secor and Willie Watson, think deep and see if you've heard of a folk song called Wagon Wheel (in your head, you may call it Rock Me, Mama). Wagon Wheel, which has a history of its own, including being co-written by Bob Dylan, went on to become their signature song, covered frequently by others, including New Jersey's own teen band The Green Planet.
Tidbit: Wagon Wheel has been certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as one of the top five country singles of all time!
The Circle the Wagons Tour: A Revival of Roots
The tour's aim is to bring old-time string band music to contemporary audiences.
Ketch Secor (Jay Ketcham Miller Secor), the only original bandmate on the stage, was born in Denville, NJ. But shhh, don't let our good friends in Nashville know that! Ketch was joined by fellow musicians Morgan Jahnig, Cory Younts, Dante’ Pope, and PJ George. Missing from the lineup was Mike Harris because his newborn baby was just released into the world the same day as the Morristown, NJ gig!
The opener, 2025 Grammy-winner Trey Hensley, had some powerful guitar and vocals. He had some merch conveniently located by the men's bathroom and was planning on hanging out there to say hello to fans during the break, but was, at the last minute, asked to fill in for Mike Harris.
The Performance: A Night of Musical Storytelling
If I had to choose one thing to add to any concert, it would be storytelling. Dolly Parton is great at that. Old Crow Medicine Show hit that on the head. From a stretched-out adventure along the Jersey Parkway to wishing they were going swimming in the Whippany River (Rockaway River), the players not only involved the audience with familiar settings but also engaged in playful conversation amongst themselves. It was fun to listen to them banter.
Photo by Penny Liss
The show was an hour and a half of pure honky-tonk, boot-stomping, barn-burning country music. They brought that raw, roots revival style to the stage, which in turn had the audience dancing and howling for more.
The Band's Evolution and Continued Relevance
Old Crow Medicine Show has maintained their authenticity while evolving musically. OCMS has leaned heavily into old-time string band music, Appalachian folk, and classic Americana from the start. They’ve stayed true to this foundation by continuing to use traditional instruments like banjos, fiddles, and harmonicas and keeping storytelling at the heart of their songs. Their sound still feels like it could’ve been played on a front porch a century ago.
While their lineup has shifted over the years, founding member Ketch Secor has anchored the band with a consistent artistic vision. Each new member brings fresh energy and musical ideas.
Photo by Penny Liss
I highly recommend you check them out, even if this genre of music is not your thing. If anything, you'll be caught up in the party. Here's a VIDEO from the April 23, 2025 show at MPAC in Morristown, NJ.
Click for the 2025 TOUR DATES.
About the author:
Ilana Rapp is a media-savvy Generation Xer with instinctive wit, quick humor and a taste for deep human emotions. As a former (child) actress with Broadway, film and television credits, she is adept at, well, lots of things. She blogged on The Huffington Post and writes entertainment pieces for New Jersey Stage, Casting Networks, Casting Frontier, GRAMMY.com, New Jersey Digest, NYCastings and Mupo Entertainment. She is a huge fan of the television show V. Ask her why her favorite number is 22. Follow Ilana on Twitter
@IlanaSpeaks22
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