It’s Shakori Season again and the Spring Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance is set for Thursday, May 3, through Sunday, May 6, 2018, in bucolic Chatham County, North Carolina — just down the road from Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Durham, Burlington and Greensboro. The 16th anniversary of this annual event is more like a taking a cruise than attending a festival, organizers say.
“If you really want to get away and not just escape in the music, you can not only relax but learn something new, like how to make cider,” says David Dean, director of media and PR for the festival. “It’s a very diverse palette: educating your mind, healing your body and moving your soul.”
The prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest has announced the 2018 finalists that will perform at MerleFest. The final round of the competition will take place Friday, April 27; first place winners will receive $600 cash and a Friday night performance slot on the Cabin Stage. Now in its 26th year, CASC is an extraordinary opportunity for songwriters to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of Nashville music industry professionals, under the direction of volunteer contest chairperson, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale. MerleFest, presented by Window World, spans from April 26-29 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, at Wilkes Community College.
Bond Brothers Beer Company, 202 E Cedar St., in Cary, North Carolina, will host its third Annual Mid-Town Square Spring Fest on Saturday, March 24. The event includes local artists, vendors, a variety of food trucks, and, of course, lots of beer. Continue reading →
For years I have discovered some of my favorite artists — Scythian, Mandolin Orange, Front Country, Tift Merritt, Carolina Chocolate Drops and Rhiannon Giddens, just to mention a few — at MerleFest. And this year it appears the good folks at MerleFest has upped the ante on finding some new favorites with its announcement of “10 Fresh Faces to Catch at MerleFest:”
Marcus King and Billy Strings, two of the hottest names on today’s music scene, will join forces for a world-debut “King & Strings” set on May 25 at Rooster Walk 10, according to a release.
King will join Strings for the duration of a late-night, two-hour set at RW10, and iconic drummer Jeff Sipe will also sit in for the latter portion of the performance.
The two have never met, let alone played together, but each calls himself a fan of the other’s music. The current plan involves an unscripted jam that will begin in the bluegrass/acoustic world native to Strings, before evolving into something more electric and rock-based, with Sipe on the kit.
“I think that will be the most fun, if we showcase a little bit of both. We’ll get Marcus some on an acoustic and then get me on an electric with Marcus,” said the 25-year-old Strings. “We’ll kind of do both of our worlds and make them clash.”
Already a veteran of the special guest sit in, King has played with the likes of Widespread Panic, The Allman Brothers and Greensky Bluegrass, to name just a few. He said he’s looking forward to the improvisational set at Pop’s Farm, which will also feature Billy’s band (banjo, fiddle and bass.)
“I think it’s gonna be a hoot man. If I can be frank, I think it’s a great idea, and we’re gonna have a lot of fun with it,” said King, just 21 years old.
Rooster Walk 10 will take place May 24-27, 2018, at Pop’s Farm in Martinsville, Virginia. Headlining bands include The Wood Brothers, JJ Grey & Mofro and Robert Randolph and the Family Band. To buy tickets or learn more information, visit www.RoosterWalk.com.
From the good folks over at The Press House and Jam In The Trees:
Jam In The Trees is proud to announce the lineup for the 2018 festival, which will be held on August 24-25, 2018. The annual music festival returns with a diverse lineup for the third year to Pisgah Brewing Company in Black Mountain, North Carolina.
The roster includes legendary artists The Travelin’ McCourys, Jerry Douglas, Shooter Jennings, Elizabeth Cook, Jane Kramer, Gangstagrass, The Stray Birds, Jim Lauderdale, The Steel Wheels, Fireside Collective, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, The Slocan Ramblers, and Andy Buckner. Following tradition, Jam in the Trees will host music on both an indoor and outdoor stage, and will strategically schedule artists so that there are no overlapping sets. In addition to award-winning Pisgah beer, food trucks will be present on-site, as well as unique vendors and local artisans.
I am so excited to announce the 2018 MerleFest Band Competition will feature two of my personal favorites, Brynmor and The Midatlantic. The annual band competition features talented bands from across the country that perform for 15 minutes each.
The Ramkat, a new concert hall and community performance space located in downtown Winston-Salem’s Entertainment District, has announced the lineup for its opening weekend along with an initial lineup of concerts in March and April. Tickets for all announced shows are available now online at http://www.theramkat.com.
The Ramkat is a two-level, 11,670-square-foot entertainment venue located at
170 West Ninth St. Continue reading →
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