Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson unveiled “Marching Jaybird,” on March 3, the latest single from from their forthcoming album of North Carolina fiddle and banjo music, “What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow” (out April 18 on Nonesuch Records). The song finds the duo revisiting a recording by influential guitarist and singer Etta Baker, one of their musical heroes and a key inspiration for making this new album. Produced by Giddens and Joseph “joebass” DeJarnette, the new album see’s Giddens and Robinson playing 18 of their favorite North Carolina tunes: a mix of instrumentals and tunes with words. Many were learned from their late mentor, the legendary North Carolina Piedmont musician Joe Thompson, one of the last musicians of his era and his community to carry on the southern Black string band tradition. The two also recorded outdoors at Thompson’s Mebane, N.C., home, as well as the former plantation Mill Prong. They were accompanied by the sounds of nature, including two different broods of cicadas, which had not emerged simultaneously since 1803, creating a true once-in-a-lifetime soundscape.
The members of Scythian, a Celtic rock band known for bringing legions of MerleFest fans to their feet since 2007, may call Virginia home, but North Carolina comes in at a close second.
And their upcoming touring schedule is reflective of why the Old North State feels like coming home for the current foursome made up of brothers Alexander Fedoryka (Vocals, Fiddle, Mandolin, Harmonica) and Danylo Fedoryka (Vocals, Guitar, Accordion) along with Ethan Dean (Vocals, Upright and Electric Bass, Percussion, Guitar) and Johnny Rees (Vocals, Drums, Percussion).
The classically trained Fedorykas grew up on the Ukrainian folk music of their ancestors and bluegrass, while Dean was raised on the greats of 60’s and 70’s folk-rock. Lafayette, Louisiana native Rees brings a Cajun beat to the Celtic-Americana fusion giving Scythian yet another dimension to keep audiences entertained and moving.
Scythian had its most prolific year in 2020 with more than 1,000 hours of live streams held during the Covid lockdowns, the release of two new albums (Roots & Stones and Quaranstream: The Album) and four new music videos. But you have to catch their live show to understand why The Camel City Dispatch said of one of their Merlefest performances: “[Scythian gives] no quarter in their quest to entertain and bring a joy to their music that gives it an irony-free, wide open feel of manic possibility. The playing is technically brilliant, but it is the energy that carries the day.”
Scythian, which means “nomad” in Ukranian, has been described as fusing Celtic and Americana music with thunderous energy into what the band’s members call “immigrant rock.” Check out the following links to catch one of the band’s upcoming N.C. shows.
Learn more abou the band in a story I wrote about them that was published in The Huffington Post.
“One of our favorite places to play, and it ALWAYS sells out months before we get there, we’re BACK at the Reeves Theater! Grab your tickets ASAP because this place sells out faster than Taylor Swift Concert,” the band says on its website.
“We couldn’t be more excited to return to MerleFest for another incredible year! There’s nothing like the energy and camaraderie of this iconic festival. Join us as we turn up the fiddles, kick up the tempo, and dive into a set that celebrates the heart and soul of MerleFest. Get ready to sing, dance, and make some new memories—see you there!”
Don’t Miss Out: Lovin’ Life Music Fest Fan Appreciation Sale Ends March 21 at Midnight!
Lovin’ Life Music Fest set for May 2-4 in Charlotte is just around the corner and tickets are in high demand.
The festival’s annual Fan Appreciation Sale is coming to an end on March 21 at midnight. This is your last chance to grab tickets before the next pricing tier kicks in.
SKIP THE LINES AT WILL CALL – get your tickets purchased by March 28 to make sure you get your wristbands (aka entry into the festival) shipped directly to you! All current payment plan holders must be paid in full by March 28 to get their wristbands shipped to them.
Don’t wait – tell your friends and grab your three-day or single-day tickets now!
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Country music legend Moe Bandy honors George Jones for the 45th anniversary of “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by releasing his version as the latest single from his upcoming album, “Songs I Missed.”
Written by Bobby Braddock and Curley Putman, the song became a No. 1 hit for Jones in 1980 and was ranked among Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” The single premiered on Feb. 28 on the Dillon Weldon & Drifting Cowboy Podcast and is now available on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Spotify.
Produced by Jimmy Capps, “Songs I Missed” is a collection of Bandy’s renditions of timeless country classics and will be released on May 2, 2025, via StarVista Music.
“Every country singer, if they’re being completely honest, would probably admit they wish they had recorded ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today,’” said Bandy in a press release. “That being said, no one could have delivered it the way George Jones did. The heart and emotion he poured into every note made it truly his own. We can all wish, but that song found its rightful owner. I loved George and wanted to honor him with this tribute.”
One of America’s all-time leading classic country music artists, Bandy’s long string of hits includes “Bandy The Rodeo Clown,” “Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life,” “Till I’m Too Old To Die Young,” “Americana,” “It’s A Cheatin’ Situation,” “Just Good Ol’ Boys,” “Barstool Mountain,” “I Cheated Me Right Out of You,” “I Just Started Hatin’ Cheatin’ Songs Today,” “Rodeo Romeo,” “You Haven’t Heard the Last of Me,” “Holding The Bag” and dozens of other chart-toppers.
Whether writing, recording new songs, or traveling the world performing, Moe has one of the busiest schedules in show business. He has amassed 10 #1 hits, 40 Top Ten hits, and 5 Gold Albums. He has also won the ACM Song of the Year award, the ACM Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year award, the American Video of the Year award, and the ACM and CMA Duet of the Year awards.
Fans can catch up with Bandy on tour in the coming weeks:
MAR 06 – Grand Ole Opry / Nashville, Tenn. MAR 07 – The Liberty Showcase Theater / Liberty, N.C. MAR 08 – Old Dominion Barn Dance / Hopewell, Va. (with Joe Stampley) MAR 09 – Tuck’s Bar / Minor Hill, Tenn. MAR 13 – Main Street Crossing / Tomball, Texas MAR 14 – Granbury Live / Granbury, Texas MAR 15 – Brady Civic Center / Brady, Texas MAR 22 – Jackson Street Jams / Burnet, Texas APR 12 – Texas Pride / Adkins, Texas APR 26 – Smithville Jamboree / Smithville, Texas (with Joe Stampley) MAY 02 – Blackhawk Creek Grill / Whitehouse, Texas MAY 03 – Downtown San Saba / San Saba, Texas JUN 06 – The Pines Theater / Lufkin, Texas JUN 07 – 11th Street Cowboy Bar / Bandera, Texas JUL 18 – Spencer Theater / Alto, N.M. AUG 22 – Private Event / Kingsport, Tenn. OCT 09 – Clay Cooper Theater / Branson, Mo.
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