Pretend Friend

Pretend Friend is a nationally touring progressive bluegrass and folk band based in Wichita, Kansas. Focused on creating original music, Pretend Friend melds captivating lyrics and soulful melodies into timeless songs. The blending of traditional familiarity with improvised jams, driving bluegrass, vocal harmonies, and anthemic choruses only begins to encompass the soundscape created by the genre-bending acoustic group.
Pretend Friend has opened for acts such as Bela Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart, Yonder Mountain String Band, Fruition, and Arkansauce, and their high-energy sets have been sought after by festivals such as Walnut Valley Festival, Blue Ox Music Festival, Hillberry Music Festival, Kaw River Roots Fest, McAwesome Fest, Lake Erie Folk Fest, and more. Pretend Friend is Grant Boesen on lead vocals and guitar, Evan Ogborn on mandolin and vocals, Caleb Drummond on upright bass and vocals, and Rami Stucky on drum set.

Joe Wais and Jordan Kroeger

Joe Wais (The MilBillies) and Jordan Kroeger (Chicken Wire Empire) take turns calling and singing a wide array of songs from old time bluegrass standards to 'grassy' covers of contemporary hits.