Inside Electric Larry Land — with Drummer Jesse Shultzaberger

In episode 50 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I sit down with Jesse Shultzaberger, the drummer for Larry Keel's Electric Larry Land and The Woodshedders — a familiar face in the Mid-Atlantic music scene and long time attendee at the  Watermelon Pickers' Festival in Berryville, VA.

This conversation isn’t just about the beats on stage, but the heart and craft that go into making each festival set special—especially with the much-anticipated Watermelon Pickers Festival right around the corner.

Jesse’s credentials speak for themselves: he’s performed on more than 30 albums, played thousands of shows, and held down the groove in groups as diverse as the Woodsheders, the Randy Thompson Band, and his own Jazz Assembly.

Despite that packed resume, Jesse’s love for teaching remains a core part of his musical journey. “My passion is performing. Teaching’s great, but really my passion is performing,” Jesse says, reflecting on his unique blend of onstage energy and offstage mentorship. He's even authored an instructional book on drumming as part of the SABIAN Education Network.

Blending Jams and Genres

If you’ve been curious about what sets Electric Larry Land apart from Larry Keel’s acoustic projects, Jesse helps break down the band’s evolving sound. “I wouldn’t call it bluegrass, that’s for sure…It definitely has elements of rock and roll, jam, kind of…there is a jam component,” he explains, nodding to the group’s ability to keep every show dynamic, fresh, and rooted in structure while always leaving the door open for improvisation. With band members connected both musically and personally, the show’s energy crackles not just from their music, but from their camaraderie built over years on the road.

Jesse takes us behind the scenes of prepping for September’s run of shows, including the Watermelon Pickers Festival in Berryville, Virginia—a venue and event Jesse knows intimately. “It’s that family atmosphere. It’s the bands on the stage, but it’s also that picking party out in the parking lot…It’s special. You don’t get that at all festivals,” he shares, inviting both veteran fest-goers and first-timers to soak in the laid-back, communal vibe.

In the Studio

You’ll also get a peek at Electric Larry Land’s upcoming album, with Jesse describing their dialed-in studio process and the excitement of new music set to drop next year. With singles like “Showtime” and “Being Kind” already out, anticipation is building for what’s next from the group.

Whether you’re curious about Jesse’s path from middle-school bands to prominent festival stages or you want an insider’s guide to festival life in Berryville, this episode is packed with inspiration, insight, and the kind of stories that make live music—and music festivals—so memorable.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or grab the audio podcast wherever you listen—and be sure to check out how to win free festival passes on musicfestivalspodcast.com.  And, don't forget to subscribe for more festival conversations coming your way.

Ticket Package WINNER for the 21st Annual Watermelon Pickers' Festival

Congratulations to Jessica Hayes of Falling Water, West Virginia, who is the lucky winner of four GA weekend passes to the Watermelon Pickers Festival in Berryville, VA — courtesy of the festival organizer SRMS Productions and MusicFestivalsPodcast.com. 

Jessica, a live music lover and festival enthusiast, will be soaking up three days of bluegrass, roots, and Americana with family and friends this September at the Clark County Fairgrounds. We’re thrilled to help bring more live music memories her way.

CONGRATS and enjoy the festival, Jessica!

We have more contests coming online for even more GREAT music festivals coming up this Fall. Make sure to subscribe via email so that you stay in the know on those announcements and can enter for your chance to win!

Next Week: Pickin' on Picknick Festival Recap

Next week, don’t miss the sights and sounds of Lost Hill Lake in St. Clair, MO and the 10th Anniversary of the Pickin' on Picknick . I'll be making the trip for the full festival and documenting the experience along the way.

TBD

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Festival Performance of the Week:

This week's festival performance of the week is from none other than Electric Larry Land and is one of the new singles that will appear on the album slated to drop in 2026. This performance was captured during their live show at Vanish Hall in Boonsboro, MD on July 26, 2024 by the folks at BigRedAudio. You can also see the full show here.

The band turns up the voltage with “Showtime,” a slick, funk-infused rock track that’s equal parts swagger and groove. With punchy guitar riffs, infectious bass lines, and playful lyrical nods to stepping into the spotlight, this song captures the electric anticipation of taking the stage. It’s a catchy, high-energy anthem that shows off the band’s knack for blending classic rock vibes with a fresh, modern twist. Check it out and pay attention to Jesse's stellar work on the kit...