musicreporterblog

Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass

Monthly Archives: October 2023


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Rare reunion of Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band tops first band announcement for Rooster Walk 14

From the good folks at Rooster Walk: Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band will perform its first East Coast set in nearly 20 years at the 14th annual Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival, set for May 23-26, 2024 at Pop’s Farm in Martinsville, Virginia.

A bluegrass band from Colorado, Broke Mountain was formed in 2003 by a group of then-unknown, incredibly talented college musicians in their very early 20s. Remarkably, the members went to establish star-studded careers in nationally touring bluegrass bands. Broke Mountain is comprised of Anders Beck (dobro/Greensky Bluegrass), Travis Book (bass/Infamous Stringdusters), Robin Davis (mandolin/The Robin Davis Duo), Jon Stickley (guitar/Jon Stickley Trio) and Andy Thorn (banjo/Leftover Salmon).  Broke Mountain juggled college studies and touring duties in the summers of 2003 and 2004 in Colorado and surrounding states before parting ways to accept full-time touring gigs with other bands. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary with a full album re-release, Broke Mountain’s Rooster Walk debut will also double as its first ever East Coast festival set.

In contrast to Broke Mountain, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country will perform for the third consecutive year at Rooster Walk. The band, led by electric guitar virtuoso Daniel Donato, has been one of the fastest-growing acts in the country over the past two years, selling out venues from coast to coast. Daniel Donato will perform two nights at RW14.

Also joining the first band announcement is TAUK Moore, a special collaboration between TAUK and female powerhouse vocalist Kanika Moore. A largely instrumental jam band, TAUK has performed late-night sets at RW multiple times in the past 10 years. They will be joined for the full set by Moore, the lead singer of Doom Flamingo, which played a late-night set at RW13 last May.

Other bands announced Tuesday include:  Dogs in a Pile (a New Jersey-based funk/jazz/rock jamband surging in nationwide popularity); Yarn (NC/NY roots rockers who will once again perform an original set and a festival-finishing tribute set); Mountain Grass Unit (up and coming bluegrass shredders from Alabama); Isaac Hadden Organ Trio (masterful musicianship from a North Carolina power trio); Sol Driven Train (upbeat, horn-driven rock’n’roll beach vibes from Charleston, SC); J & The Causeways (New Orleans-based soul powerhouse reminiscent of St. Paul & The Broken Bones); Colby Helms & The Virginia Creepers (a captivating bluegrass band from nearby Franklin County, Va.); Clay Street Unit (Colorado-based honky tonk/roots rock); and Mighty Joshua (authentic reggae from central Virginia).

More than 30 additional bands will be added to the lineup, including the overall headliners, in the coming months.

Tickets for Rooster Walk 14 go on sale at noon Oct. 27, 2023, at the newly redesigned www.roosterwalk.com, which also features all the information needed to plan for an amazing experience.

The festival will take place Thursday-Sunday of Memorial Day weekend in the rolling foothills surrounding Martinsville, Va. Rooster Walk is a four-day festival celebrating music, art, and the great outdoors at the idyllic Pop’s Farm venue. With roughly 50 bands performing on six different stages, and an amazing roster of stellar music steers the Rooster Walk experience.

In addition to approximately 80 sets of live music, the family-friendly Rooster Walk will offer a wide variety of kids’ programming, family fun, craft beer, great food, arts and numerous opportunities to enjoy Virginia’s great outdoors with kayak river floats, pedal boats, bike rides, yoga, a disc golf course and beautiful on-site camping.

Rooster Walk has been named one of the Top 5 festivals in the state by the Richmond-Times Dispatch. It also was voted the region’s Most Creative Charitable Event by readers of Virginia Living Magazine for three consecutive years. The festival was created in memory of late Martinsville natives Edwin “The Rooster” Penn and Walker Shank, who graduated from Martinsville High School in 2000.

A portion of proceeds from the festival will be donated to local and regional charities, including Rooster Walk’s own Penn-Shank Memorial Endowment Scholarship Fund for students at Martinsville High School, and the Rooster Walk Music Instrument Program for public band programs in the local city and county school systems.

The festival is produced by Rooster Walk Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting music, arts and education in its home of Martinsville-Henry County. Since 2009, Rooster Walk Inc. has donated more than $320,000 to local and regional charities.


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Rooster Walk + Rives on the Road announces three new shows in November, December

Join RoosterWalk and Rives on the Road for a seafood block party on the historic courthouse square in Uptown Martinsville on Saturday, Nov. 25.

The R.W. Shucks Block Party will feature a delightful and delicious array of oysters, seafood, live music and libations from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Oysters will be offered roasted, on the half shell, raw and as shooters. The Longfin Grill Food Truck and Salty’s Lobster Co. Food Truck will augment the menu with additional amazing seafood options. All food will be sold a la carte.

Musical performances by Marvelous Funkshun (delivering a special Jimi Hendrix tribute set) Colby T. Helms & The Virginia Creepers, In The Meantime, The Pirates of the Piedmont, and The Parrots of the Piedmont (offering a Jimmy Buffet tribute).

The event is sponsored by Hooker Furniture and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Tickets are on sale now at this link.

11/25/23 R.W. SHUCKS BLOCK PARTY

RUMOURS – A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE

On Saturday, December 2nd, RUMOURS ATL brings us a perfectly delivered Fleetwood Mac Tribute. Since 2014, Rumours (or Rumours ATL) has set stages ablaze across the U.S. with their scorching Fleetwood Mac renditions. Garnering a reputation as the best Fleetwood Mac tribute band, they’ve captivated audiences internationally, playing top venues and festivals in the US and abroad. With meticulous attention to detail and infectious energy, Rumours sells out venues and leaves fans dancing, singing, and discovering new facets of Fleetwood Mac’s magic at every performance. Believe in miracles and join the unforgettable experience of Rumours. Tickets on sale Thursday, 9/28 at Noon EST.

12/2/23 RUMOURS

SNEEZY W/ LIV SLOAN & THE DIEHARDS

Sneezy brings the party! Join us for a dancy, fun-filled night of music at The TAD Space in Martinsville, VA. Get ready to be blown away by the incredible performances of Sneezy and Liv Sloan & The Diehards. This event promises to be a night filled with laughter, music, and unforgettable moments.

12/9/23 SNEEZY w/ LIV SLOAN & THE DIEHARDS

2023 Rives on the Road Season Passes will be accepted at each of these shows, BUT must be acquired in advance. Every Rives on the Road season pass holder has received an email with their personal code to redeem their tickets for each of these events. Rives on the Road season pass holders must acquire their tickets via Eventbrite by the due date indicated.

Rooster Walk and Rives on the Road

Back in 2016, Rooster Walk Inc., the 501c3 nonprofit company, absorbed a nonprofit named “Arts at the Rives,” and began organizing and promoting concerts at the Rives Theatre in uptown Martinsville. In the fall of 2019, the Rives Theatre tragically caught fire and was a total loss. It has not been rebuilt. To keep the music alive, Rooster Walk Inc., now offers “Rives on the the Road” concerts each year. These “pop-up shows” take place in various venues in the Martinsville-Henry County community, and cover a wide range of genres, from rock and blues to bluegrass, country, jazz and more. Season pass sales have closed… with a record number sold.

RSVP to ROOSTER WALK 14 (May 23-26, 2024)


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19th Richmond Folk Festival kicks off Oct. 13 with Michael Cleveland, Wild Ponies, Wayne Henderson and many more

The 19th Richmond Folk Festival begins Friday, Oct. 13, and runs for three days of a variety of FREE music, food and fun, according to organizers. 

With six stages and nearly 90 performances, many people plan to spend more than one day at the festival. Add in more than 30 food vendors, a crafts marketplace, a Virginia Folklife Area and Stage and one of the most beautiful festival sites in Richmond, and we think you’ll want to go for multiple days to experience as much as possible. And the festival goes on, rain or shine, with several of the stages tented.

Essentials to enhance your visit

Festival Hours

  • Friday, Oct. 13 — 6:30 pm – 10 p.m. 
  • Saturday, Oct. 14 — Noon – 9:30 p.m. 
  • Sunday, Oct. 15 — Noon – 6 p.m.

Performers
Read up on all of the fantastic artists who will perform. With styles ranging from jazz to gospel, Irish, rockabilly, salsa and more, there’s something for everyone to love or learn about.

Performance Schedule
With six stages and more than 90 performances, you’ll want to plan ahead to make sure to get the most out of the festivals. Take a peek now so you can plan ahead!

Donations
This is a LARGE festival with a hefty budget that is supported largely by generous sponsors. However, the festival needs your help to remain FREE and sustainable! There is a suggested donation of $10 per person per day that can be made online HERE, or by finding a volunteer in a bright orange shirt carrying a bright orange bucket at the festival and making a “Drop in the Bucket!” Or, you can text FOLK to 44321 to give from your mobile phone. Thanks for your help in keeping the festival FREE!


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Wake Forest Listening Room reopens for local musicians, audiences

Editor’s Note: This article was first published in The Wake Weekly here.

Listen up: The Wake Forest Listening Room is back and ready for musicians and audiences.

Started in 2017, the Wake Forest Listening Room hosted a series of performances featuring local and regional original musicians.

The owners state on the website the main intent behind the listening room was to give artists a “sacred space” where their music could be focused on by the audience with no distractions such as sports on TV or loud conversations.

“The series found a permanent home downstairs from Sugar Magnolia Cafe, where we hosted more than 300 performances before COVID shut us down in late 2021. In October 2023, we’re re-opening in the new space next door to our independent Wake Forest bookstore, Page 158 Books.”

Continue reading →


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N.C. Museum of History presents Tar Heel Troubadours music series beginnng Oct. 6

The North Carolina Museum of History will kickoff its newest music series, Tar Heel Troubadours, on Friday, Oct. 6, with the Blue Ridge Girls.

The new music series is a celebration of Americana, roots, bluegrass and traditional music performed by artists from or living and working in North Carolina, according to organizers.

The museum boasts an intimate 300-seat venue where every seat offers a good view, and the sound is even better. There will be merchandise for sale and a bar available with a special beer from Fullsteam Brewery plus wine for purchase.

The Tar Heel Troubadours series works to keep music accessible to the community by keeping ticket prices affordable, organizers said in a press release. There series features nine concerts, including Jim Lauderdale, Fireside Collective, Dawn Landes, Cane Mill Road, Blue Cactus, Paige King Johnson and more. Visit the museum’s website for up-to-date information and tickets.

The Blue Ridge Girls, like their name, invoke a picturesque simplicity with their take on traditional mountain music. The trio of Martha Spencer, Jamie Collins and Brett Morris features a variety of old-time, bluegrass and country songs. They showcase their original songwriting and unique take on other familiar crowd-pleasers. All three women grew up in musical families; they are working to preserve and promote the Blue Ridge’s rich musical heritage. After signing with 629 Music Group in 2022, they went to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to record at the historic Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. They stay busy writing, recording, touring, and sharing their musical talents across the globe. The group’s first single was released in September. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/blueridgegirls/.

The series is co-sponsored by Come Here NC and That Station.

IF YOU GO

Tar Heel Troubadours: The Blue Ridge Girls

Friday, Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m. doors open, 7 p.m. performance

Tickets: MOHA/museum members $12; general admission $15