Blues Fest, Chris Mangione Blues Band, Brandon Sprague, Johnny Hastings and Stillhouse Down

Blues Festival at The Prairie Dog Taproom Friday, August 28, 2026 • Starts at 4:00 PM

Get ready for an afternoon and evening of pure, soul-stirring blues right here in the Black Hills! The Prairie Dog Taproom is throwing a full-on Blues Festival featuring three powerhouse local acts that will keep the good times rolling from late afternoon into the night.

Chris Mangione and his Blues Band kick things off with a stylish blend of jazz-meets-classical guitar and blues grit. A standout in the Black Hills music scene (and a featured Guitar Masters performer), Chris brings refined technique, soulful phrasing, and a sound that bridges sophisticated guitar work with deep blues feeling.

Next up is Brandon Sprague (and his Blues Band) — a true Black Hills blues torchbearer and Minnicoujou Lakota guitar master. B.B. King himself once said Brandon “plays from the heart and will be part of carrying on the blues torch.” He’s opened for legends including B.B. King, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robert Cray, Charlie Musselwhite, George Thorogood, and many more. Expect scorching lead and slide guitar, powerful vocals, and decades of authentic blues fire that has lit up stages from Chicago to New Orleans to the Black Hills.

Closing out the night is Johnny Hastings & Stillhouse Down. Johnny is one of the Midwest’s most fluent and expressive guitarists — a Black Hills native known for mind-bending string-bending, extended solos, and a sound rooted in traditional blues and Americana that truly embodies western South Dakota. After nearly a decade apart, the band reunited around their shared love of the blues. Johnny recently took First Place at the Wild West Songwriters Festival, and he’s a regular on stages across the Hills (including previous Deadwood Jam appearances alongside Buddy Guy). Expect raw energy, soulful vocals, and guitar work that will leave you speechless.

When: Friday, August 28, 2026 – Music starts at 4:00 PM Where: The Prairie Dog Taproom 23858 US Highway 385, Hill City, SD 57745 Tickets: Only $10

Pour yourself a cold one from the Freedom Taps, grab some of the best pizza and bison dogs in the Hills, and settle in for a full day of authentic Black Hills blues under the open sky. This is the real deal — don’t miss it!

Tickets are limited… get yours now and let’s keep the blues alive in the Black Hills!

Tickets in advance $10