Monkton, MD - Marc Douglas Berardo and Craig Bickhardt at Manor Mill

The Loft at Manor Mill Presents Songwriters and Storytellers with Craig Bickhardt and Marc Douglas Berardo. Craig Bickhardt is a veteran singer-songwriter whose five-decade career began with his first record deal at age 19. He has released 11 albums on Capitol-Liberty, Warner Brothers, MTM Records, and his own Stone Barn Records. His 2023 release Outpourings reached \#2 on the Folk/Americana Chart. Widely respected for his emotional depth and literary lyricism, Bickhardt has written more than 800 songs. His work has been recorded by Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Alison Krauss, Kathy Mattea, Art Garfunkel, the Judds, and B.B. King. He also wrote and performed the closing theme for the Academy Award–winning film Tender Mercies. A compelling live performer, Bickhardt is known for his intricate acoustic guitar work and soulful voice. He has appeared at the Grand Ole Opry, Austin City Limits, Mountain Stage, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, and The Bluebird Cafe, and has shared stages with Bruce Springsteen, Judy Collins, Harry Chapin, and Stephen Stills. “Craig Bickhardt is the American counterpart to Richard Thompson… stylistic, original, creative and daring.” – John Apice, No Depression. Marc Douglas Berardo is a thoughtful songwriter and engaging performer who blends humor, storytelling, and masterful guitar work into a powerful live experience. Over a 35-year career, he has earned recognition at festivals including Rocky Mountain Folks, Telluride, Kerrville New Folk, Suwanee, and Wildflower. No Depression calls him “sincere, fluid, charming, and above all gripping.” In 2025, Berardo was featured in Ink Magazine and headlined the 40th Tucson Folk Festival with dobro player Abbie Gardner. His 2024 album The Beauty of This Now, recorded in Austin and produced by Ron Flynt and Walt Wilkins, further cemented his reputation as a serious and compelling voice in Americana. “Berardo takes you to a place within yourself to make changes you want to see in the world.” — Mary Jane Twohy, SiriusXM.