Brooklyn Country Music Festival Peekaboo Opry with Van Hayride, Julia Haltigan, Aron Blue and the Bootleggers and DJ Honky Tonk Radio Girl

Van Hayride was originally conceived in the early 21st century as a countrified David Lee Roth era only, Van Halen tribute band. The band got weirder and weirder, playing around the NYC roots music scene, occasionally with Norah Jones sharing the bill in one of her underground projects.
David Lee Roth was working as an EMT in NYC and not in Van Halen at the time, he had sent word that he heard good things and was planning to see the band. A few months later, David Lee Roth released the bizarre, "Strummin' With The Devil", country versions of Van Halen songs... coincidence?
David Lee returned to Van Halen sometime after and Van Hayride disbanded as David was back to singing our favorite VH songs.

Van Hayride has reformed to search for good times and to cash in on the public's obsession with classic rock. The band plans to expand beyond the Van Halen repertoire and venture in to Black Sabbath, Metallica, AC/DC, Barry Manilow or anything else that strikes their fancy (including more original material about classic rock).

Van Hayride is not that concerned with sounding Country. Strange and amusing is really the focus these days.


Julia Haltigan grew up amongst the grit and oil stains of Manhattan's Lower East Side in the 1980's, often tucked away in a small vintage motorcycle shop, Sixth Street Specials. From the iconic 8th avenue music building to roof top parties at the Chelsea Hotel, Julia was raised amongst the riff raff of a famously grungy town. Her early life gave her an edgy perspective that has shaped her songwriting and dynamic character today.

Growing up in a musically inclined family, she picked up on melodies with a natural ability. Not only is she merciless like rockers Joan Jett & Wanda Jackson but her sultry voice can melt your heart. She knew it was her passion to pursue music when she got into artists such as Tom Waits & Lou Reed by digging through her father's record collection. Julia is a tough girl with a hard edge whose music is cinematic and nostalgic. A wanderer at heart, Julia is able to captivate an audience with stories of her travels around the country and leave you wanting more of her seductive and flirtatious music.

Julia's critically acclaimed album "My Green Heart" and EP "Magneto" gained her recognition on the NY music scene and around the rest of the country. In 2012 she became known in the motorcycle world when she was featured on the television show Café Racer with her 1970 Triumph Bonneville. She's performed at the Kennedy Center as part of ASCAP's up and coming songwriter's showcase and has shared stages with a long list of amazing singer songwriters including Judy Collins, The Waterboys, Cory Chisel, Norah Jones and Justin Townes Earle.


Aron Blue writes funny songs and likes to rock out, honkytonk style. Alone and with the Bootleggers, she has performed at NYC venues like The Stone, Tonic, Goodbye Blue Monday, Jimmy’s No. 43, Otto’s Shrunken Head, Grand Victory, CultureFix, and ConArtist. She’s also performed at Montreal’s fabulous L’escalier.

Aron has had her songs featured on Democracy Now and Wisconsin Public Radio WIEC, and scored the documentary Loan Shark in Your Living Room for IndyVideo. Her video Never Talk to Cops was featured and linked to by the nonprofit Flex Your Rights. In 2014, she was awarded Best Couch at Couch by Couchwest!