By Marlena Ballinger

Local and regional performers are preparing for Bluffton's Play Music on the Porch Day (a.k.a. PorchFest) on August 29. This worldwide movement encourages people to spend the day outdoors, visiting with neighbors while playing or listening to music.

For a complete lineup and a map of where the bands will be playing, visit the event Facebook page.

Amanda Rule
Amanda Rule is a Christian singer and songwriter who uses her music to bring hope, healing, and the truth of Jesus Christ to others. Music has been such a powerful testimony to her own life, which included several years of suffering that led to worshiping.

Amanda is an Army veteran, has battled through deep mental and physical struggles, including a traumatic brain injury and feels that God has used music to heal her.

“When I take the stage, my prayer is simple: that God will use my voice and my story to encourage someone to keep going, to let go of their past, and to step into the life He’s called them to live through His love,” Amanda said on a recent Facebook post.

By using her calling to music, Amanda is recording her first single and has played at several major events alongside chart-topping artists such as We are Messengers, Austin French, Social Club Misfits, Sean Rodriguez and Stephen Stanley.

Dylan Spindler
Dylan Spindler is new to PorchFest this year. He is coming from the Cleveland area and found Bluffton’s annual event through a web search. He plays mostly folk-rock, is a solo performer and writes songs about family, math and other interests.

Dylan has several recordings of his music on YouTube and his website.

Mason Ault
Bluffton resident Mason Ault is a folk/blues singer-songwriter who performs a mix of original music and cover songs. Mason loves songs from Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and more. He has played at several venues, including Jamnesty, Moonlight Bar and other venues in the Athens, Ohio area.

Piece of Mind
What do you get when you put together three guys with questionable life choices and a love for loud music? You get Piece of Mind. Coming to Bluffton from Fostoria, Ohio, this band is made up of members Brandon Holland, Justin Holland, Justin Coleman and Austin Cummings. The music they blast is inspired by the golden era bands such as Avenged Sevenfold, Shinedown, Three Days Grace and Fuel. The band is currently debuting a record called The Carnival and describes it as a “love letter to blistering guitar solos, heavy grooves, over-caffeinated bass lines and choruses you’ll accidentally hum for a week.”

As you can see, the band does not take itself seriously, but puts some serious soul into its music. They have performed at several events throughout Ohio, including Guitar Fest in Fostoria, the Tiffin Farmer’s Market and Lavender Fest in Findlay.