From Johnny Cash to the Indigo Girls: 33 of the Biggest Names to Play at DCA

The Indigo Grirls.

Living in Door County means seeing big names in our own backyards. Some of the most well-known stars that have performed on the peninsula have done so at Door Community Auditorium (DCA,) which has hosted the likes of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and the Beach Boys since opening in 1991.

To celebrate DCA’s 33rd year in operation, here are 33 of the biggest names that have soaked up the spotlight on the Fish Creek stage. It’s by no means a comprehensive list, but a taste of the talent that the venue has brought to Door County residents and visitors over the years. Names and dates were provided by DCA staff.

More talent is on its way to DCA, so stay tuned here and on social media for this year’s slate of shows. The venue will announce its 2024 season lineup on April 26.

1. Johnny Cash and the Carter Family (1996)
2. Harry Belafonte (1997) 
3. Victor Borge (1997) 
4. John Prine (1997)  
5. Rosanne Cash (1997, then returned in 2006, 2007 and 2019)
6. Ray Charles (1998) 
7. Rosemary Clooney (1998) 
8. Alison Krauss and Union Station (1998)
9. Willie Nelson (2000) 
10. Joan Baez (2000, then returned in 2010)
11. Loretta Lynn (2001) 
12. Emmylou Harris (2001. Returned with her band, the Red Dirt Boys, and The Pines in 2012)
13. Bob Newhart (2002)
14. Bo Diddley (2003) 
15. Branford Marsalis (2003)
16. Chuck Mangione (2005) 
17. Earl Scruggs (2005)
18. Chubby Checker (2006)
19. Ed Asner (2009)
20. Brandi Carlile (2010. Returned with The Lumineers in 2012)
21. Jeff Tweedy (2011) 
22. Indigo Girls (2011. Returned 2013, 2017 and 2022)
23. Ira Glass (2014) 
24. Jason Isbell (2014) 
25. Josh Turner (2015) 
26. Melissa Etheridge (2015) 
27. Mavis Staples (2015. Returned in 2019 and 2021)
28. Booker T. Jones (2016) 
29. Ben Folds (2016) 
30. Jim Belushi and The Chicago Board of Comedy (2016)
31. Arlo Guthrie (2017)
32. The Beach Boys (2018) 
33. Billy Strings with Lindsay Lou (2018)