Rock & Rails stage welcomes headliner Mojomama along with Cass Clayton and opener Deborah Stafford

This week's Rock & Rails stage will feature familiar faces of Mojomama, with their beloved mix of funky blues, rock and soul that ranges from Aretha Franklin to Susan Tedeschi to Steely Dan.

"Knowing that we get to play for the best crowd all summer makes us happy," said lead vocalist Jessica Rogalski. "People are really in a good mood, everyone's up dancing. As performers, it's fun for us to have that energetic exchange. It feeds our energy too."

She remembers the fun, colorful crowd from last year, and the ability to play songs off their new album in front of people who had checked out their songs ahead of the performance, along with beautiful weather and a dramatic sunset.

Rogalski will be joined on stage by her husband Paul, a Berklee School of Music alum, guitarist Bob Murnahan and their new drummer, Berklee School of Music alum and Boulderite Chris Spears, who hasn't played the event before. They had been looking to work with him for a few years, but the timing only worked out recently.

In addition, for this year's performance, there's a new element. The band will be joined by their musical colleague and friend Cass Clayton, whose blues sound compliments Mojomama's style. "She's a great performer and I'm so excited to have her sit in with us on stage. It's going to be amazing," said Rogalski.

As a treat for attendees, Satir DeMarco has furthered the focus on women in music by arranging for Deborah Stafford and the Night Stalkers to open for the band. Another award-winning staple of the Colorado blues music scene, the band has played their blues, soul, funk and rock to enthusiastic audiences throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Mojomama has experienced quite a few milestones since last year's Rock & Rails performance. They opened for the Cherry Poppin' Daddies at the Dacono Music & Spirits Festival and Jessica appeared at the Women in Blues showcase in Memphis. The Colorado Blues Society also submitted their CD, "We are One" as the Colorado submission for the best self-produced CD. That release also made a top 10 position on Roots Music Report of Colorado.

The band is continuing to be busy. Later this year, the band will make appearances at The Boulder County Fair, Oskar Blues in Longmont, and Greeley's Friday Fest among other places.

In addition to their band and their music studio, Mojo Music Academy, the Rogalskis have also been busy giving back to others. They joined the board of directors of Music First, a nonprofit organization that helps musicians afford instrument repair, health insurance, mental health and addiction help, gig coaching and more. Its mission is to help musicians live a more stable life, not to have to resign themselves to near poverty and instability because they chose to live out their love of music.

"We're really excited to be part of something bigger than ourselves," said Rogalski. "It's beyond words."