I have always found it a bit ironic that one of the most iconic American bands that plays bluegrass has its roots, not in the verdant hills of Appalachia, but in the shifting sands of sunny Southern California.
Note that I said “band that plays bluegrass” rather than “bluegrass band.” Because that’s what Nitty Gritty Dirt Band leader and co-founder Jeff Hanna calls them.
From the good folks at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park who are hosting the inaugural Suwannee Roots Revival on Oct. 13-16, 2016, in Live Oak, Florida:
Jim Lauderdale, a longtime ambassador of the Americana genre, has released his 28th album, “This Changes Everything,” which was largely recorded during a single day in Austin while on a break from his summertime tour. Lauderdale is supporting the new album release with appearances on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) World of Bluegrass annual event in Raleigh, North Carolina, and on Sunday, Oct. 2, at Muddy Creek Music Hall just outside Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Continue reading
Two of Virginia’s hottest up-and-coming alt folk rock bands — Annabelle’s Curse and Will Overman Band — will light up the stage at Charlotte’s The Evening Muse in NODA on Saturday, Oct. 22. Tickets for the late-night show that begins at 10:30 (Doors open at 10) are only $5. Trust me when I say you need to catch these bands at this price while you still can because you won’t be disappointed.
This year’s World of Bluegrass/IBMA Awards/Wide Open Bluegrass events return to Raleigh, North Carolina, on Sept. 27 – Oct. 1. Following is the Business Conference schedule, the Red Hat concert schedule and the Bluegrass Ramble schedule. The IBMA Awards are set for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Duke Energy Center and will be hosted by Dan Tyminski and Sierra Hull.
BJ Barham is returning to his hometown of Reidsville, North Carolina, to debut his solo album, “Rockingham,” at a free show at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, in Market Square, downtown at the corner of Settle and Scales streets. A sampling of his new album on YouTube reveals that this one show you don’t want to miss.
Rockingham County natives can spot familiar sites in this video as well as relate to what can only be assumed are also familiar sentiments:
“Won’t you take me back to where I am from, where the air’s as thick as tobacco gum, where I was born, where I was raised, on broken promises and glory days.
“It’s the town where I became a man, it’s the place that made me who I am, right there on the river Dan … Rockingham.”
The frontman for the band, American Aquarium, released the album on Aug. 19. No Depression writes, “Teeming with the dark realism of lost hope, small towns and shattered dreams, Rockingham’s authentic stories are absolutely felt by the listener (whether or not you are a farmer, parent or elder), cementing Barham’s place as a songwriter with an ability to capture depth and emotion that is on par with few others.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs but not pets or coolers.
With the official kickoff of fall, it’s a busy music weekend. If you’re in the vicinity of Galax, Virginia, head to the all-day Rex Fest downtown featuring Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, and 16 bluegrass and oldtime bands from Southwest Virginia and North Carolina.
The festival times are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and tickets are $25 advance, $30 day of event and available at the Galax Visitors Center.
For more info call 1-276-233-5470 or visit www.galaxrexfest.com
10:00 – 10:30 – The Mastertones
10:35 – 11:05 – Zephyr Lightning Bolts
11:10 – 11:40 – Hard Tymes
11:45 – 12:15 – New Ballards Branch Bogtrotters
12:20 – 12:50 – Jeanette Williams Trio
1:00 – 1:30 – Changing Lanes
1:40 – 2:10 – Mountain Park Old Time Band
2:15 – 2:45 – Loose Strings
2:50 – 3:20 – Slate Mountain Ramblers
3:30 – 4:00 – Adam Mcpeak and Mountain Thunder
4:10 – 4:50 – Whitetop Mountain Band
5:00 – 5:40 – Rich in Tradition
5:50 – 6:30 – Dry Hill Draggers
6:40 – 7:20 – Carson Peters and Iron Mountain
7:30 – 8:15 – Larry Sigmon and Martha Spencer
8:15 – 8:30 – Clogging Group
8:30 – 10:00 – Rhonda Vincent and The Rage
Frequent readers of this blog know that two of my favorite music-related venues are Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival and the historic Rives Theatre in uptown Martinsville, Virginia.
Johnny Buck, co-founder and executive director of Rooster Walk, announced today that the two nonprofits are officially joining forces.
From the press release, “The boards of Rooster Walk Inc. and Arts at the Rives Theatre (ART), who already often work together to bring live music and arts events to Martinsville-Henry County, recently voted to formalize their relationship by combining under the Rooster Walk umbrella.
WEATHER-RELATED UPDATE FROM ROOSTER WALK FOLKS: Hurricane be damned, we’re throwing a keg party with a Grammy winning band! Brewster Walk is moving INSIDE the Rives Theatre. Beers, bands and buddies all under one roof! Also, VIPs now get unlimited pours!! Schedule remains the same (see pic below). Tix still avail VIP $50 / GA $30 / grab em locally at Rising Sun Breads, Daily Grind Coffee House & Cafe – Martinsville or online at www.roosterwalk.com. See ya Saturday!
From the good folks at Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival:
The second annual Brewster Walk Craft Beer Festival & Concerts will take place Saturday, Oct. 8, in uptown Martinsville, Virginia, on the street in front of the Rives Theatre, 215 E. Church St.
The event will feature more than 60 craft beers, plus live performances from the Steep Canyon Rangers, The Trongone Band and Relacksachian.
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