2026 Live Entertainment: Steve Hobbs and Friends & Cane Creek Rhythm Section

We are thrilled to announce this year's live entertainment at Spring Fling 2026! We will have a live band on stage for the entire event, and you won't want to miss it. Keep reading to meet our musical guests and learn a little more about their journeys. You may recognize these bands as they were both a hit at our 2025 Spring Fling!

Live Entertainment: Steve Hobbs and Friends

Listen Live from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

We are excited to have Steve Hobbs joining us to open the event! Steve has been a long-time customer of Unleashed, dating all the way back to the very start at the Raleigh Flea Market! Steve loves dogs, loves Spring Fling, and loves music, so he makes a perfect fit for Spring Fling!! Plus, his tunes are pet-friendly, and he has performed every Spring Fling, so he knows exactly what the vibes are (pun intended!)

About Steve Hobbs- professional Jazz musician

Steve Hobbs is the son of retired professional dancers. He started hand drums at age 7, and trumpet and drums at 11. He switched from trumpet to vibes at age 17. Hobbs received a Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from Berklee College of Music in 1978. He received a Master of Music in Jazz Mallet Performance from the University of Miami in 1982.  He received 52 credits towards a Doctor of Music Arts from the University of Northern Colorado when he dropped his studies to perform extensive touring with both the Art Van Damme Quintet and Jumpin’ Johnny (blues).

As a vibist, Hobbs just out of Berklee at age twenty-two, toured with the pop group “Janice,” which performed internationally and was featured on the Red Fox Show in 1979 and American Bandstand in 1980.  The group had a number 8 hit titled “I Told You,” on Casey Kasem’s, Kasem’s Top 40.   He has also toured with Tom Harrell, Randy Johnston, Art Van Damme, Jumpin’ Johnny (Blues), and many others. Steve has recorded both as a leader and sideman with Kenny Barron, Tom Harrell, Bob Malach, Bruce Forman, and numerous others.

Steve will have several guest musicians accompanying him on stage at Spring Fling this year, and we are so excited to hear them all!

Learn more on Steve Hobbs' website and Facebook!

Live Entertainment: Cane Creek Rhythm Section

Listen Live from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

We are excited to have Cane Creek Rhythm Section joining us for their second year in a row! This local band is full of animal lovers and brings the right mix of tunes to keep us entertained for the second half of Spring Fling!

About Cane Creek Rhythm Section

In 2019, Gary Epperson, Jimmy Atkins, Art Melvin, Chris Jepsen and Teddy Ray were in the process of creating a "BADGE BAND" reunion. They played their only gig in February 2020 before they were shut down by the Covid pandemic. Only Art, Chris, and Gary were able to get together until late November 2020 when Jimmy was able to rejoin.

During their time rehearsing as a trio, the group decided to work on original material and the project took a new turn. They played one gig and decided they needed another person to fill out the sound. Harry Tueting joined the band in December 2022, and the band began recording the album "Better Late Than Never" in March 2023.

All of the members of CCRS have been friends for many years and have played in other bands together. They have a combined 200 years of performing experience. Their repertoire consists of 50% original music and 50% cover material. Their genre is multi-faceted, including blues, rock and country. Combining all of these influences, they call it Americana/South.

The band also covers artists including: Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Seger, Poco, The Byrds, Little Feat, The Allman Brothers, Outlaws, The Eagles and more.

We can't wait to hear what songs they play at this year's Spring Fling!

Learn more on Cane Creek Rhythm Section on their website and Facebook.

Don't miss the live entertainment at this year's

Unleashed's 13th Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser

Sunday, April 26, 2026

12-6 pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2026:

2026 FB event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HZBMS3x3S/

Blog: https://www.k9springfling.com/news

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k9springfling

2023 Spring Fling Entertainment: The Whiskey Rebellion

Listen Live from 2 pm - 6 pm

Get ready to have lots of fun with our next line up, The Whiskey Rebellion, taking the stage from 2 - 6 pm!

Their skillful and expert three-part harmonies are just part of what you can expect from the Whiskey Rebellion, who have been playing their brand of high-energy acoustic music across the Southeast (and as far west as the Pacific Ocean) for the last eight years. The band has recorded two regionally-acclaimed original albums, shared the stage with the Sam Bush Band and Carolina Chocolate Drops, and had their 2011 tour of the Pacific Northwest captured by filmmaker Tony Morin for a forthcoming concert film & documentary.

Drawing on their diverse musical backgrounds, The Whiskey Rebellion mix the spontaneity of bluegrass, the collectiveness of jazz, and the urgency of rock and roll to create their own unique take on everything from traditional bluegrass to anthemic party favorites. The band covers a wide array of artists ranging from The Beatles to The Talking Heads to Guns 'n' Roses, but their approach is always steeped in their acoustic roots and uniquely lends itself to being both listenable and danceable.

Having such talented musicians at Spring Fling is an incredible addition to the festivities of 2023!

2023 Spring Fling Entertainment: Steve Hobbs Quintet featuring Bill Easley!

Listen Live from 12 pm - 2 pm

We are excited to introduce you to the musical talents for this year!

First up, taking the Stage from 12-2pm, we are thrilled to have the Steve Hobbs Quintet featuring Bill Easley!

Steve Hobbs, a huge animal supporter , has always been a part of Spring Fling. With the new venue, he will be back with a bigger band than ever before. This year, we can't wait to enjoy live music performed by the Steve Hobbs Quintet featuring Bill Easley!

Steve Hobbs is a celebrated jazz musician whose love of music started at the age of 7. Hobbs received his Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from Berklee College of Music in 1978 and a Master of Music in Jazz Mallet Performance from the University of Miami in 1982. He has toured with multiple bands and groups like the Art Van Damme Quintet, pop group, Janice, and Jum200pin’ Johnny. He was even featured on American Bandstand in 1980! He has released multiple albums and compilations, like Steve Hobbs’ “Tribute to Bobby” and Steve Hobbs Quartet Vibes, Straight Up. Having such a celebrated musician at Spring Fling is an incredible addition to the festivities!

Learn more on Steve Hobbs' website and Facebook!

Bill Easley has had a diversified career as a professional musician. He joined the

musicians union, Local 115 in 1959. Bill represents the fourth generation of a family dedicated to music. Easley had traveling and recording experiences with such notables as: George Benson, Ruth Brown, Isaac Hayes, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Bobby Short, Louie Bellson, Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Charles McPherson, James Williams, Sir Roland Hanna, Earl May, Illinois Jacquett, Ron Carter, Frank Foster, Mercer Ellington, Warren Vache, Panama Francis, Grady Tate and many more. In addition to his extensive discography as a sideman, he also has seven recordings as a leader: Wind Inventions, First Call, Easley Said, Business Man's Bounce, Hearing Voices, Love Stories, and Diversitonic. His arsenal of woodwind instruments includes: Tenor, Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet and Bass Clarinet, Flute and Alto Flute and piccolo.

Bill was a part of the Jazz Repertory Movement, playing in The American Jazz Orchestra (John Lewis); The Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra (David Baker); and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (Wynton Marsalis), and twice with The Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra (Jon Faddis).

Learn more on Bill Easley's website!