The Grammy-winning Texican rock and roll band, Los Lonely Boys, is returning to Greensboro to headline the North Carolina Folk Festival‘s 10th anniversary, Sept. 6-8. Los Lonely Boys last performed in Greensboro in 2014 at the Carolina Theatre. Festival organizers are also excited to reveal that The Psycodelics, Olive Klug, Colin Cutler & Hot Pepper Jam, Elias Alexander, and Holler Choir will join the diverse 2024 lineup. The free three-day festival celebrates the rich diversity of America’s roots and heritage, as well as North Carolina’s regional traditions. With everything from Texican Rock & Roll and Indie Folk, to N.C. homegrown Bluegrass, this lineup exemplifies our 10th Anniversary slogan of “honoring the roots, embracing the branches.”
The story of how the Garza brothers rode their bluesy “Texican rock & roll” sound from San Angelo, Texas, to worldwide fame is one of rock’s great Cinderella tales. The three young brothers formed a band, got signed to a major label, and recorded a hit single that propelled them to stardom. “After a three-year hiatus, we are songwriting, recording, and touring together,” says Henry. “It is a blessing to share the stage with my brothers. We lift each other musically and spiritually. We consider this Los Lonely Boys’ resurrection.”Read more
An Army veteran who traded in his combat gear for a banjo and guitar, Colin Cutler is a Greensboro, North Carolina-based singer-songwriter, folk musician, poet, and storyteller. Whether solo or with his band, Hot Pepper Jam, he is a wide-ranging performer whose musical roots draw from the breadth of American folk music—from Appalachian old-time to blues to gospel to country to rock’n’roll.Read more
From a small bedroom in Oregon, Olive’s audience grew alongside them as they wrote countless new songs, discovered their non-binary identity, changed their name, moved to Los Angeles, started touring internationally, and signed their first record deal, all in real time. Olive is excited to solidify themselves as a fixture of the greater folk music community and return to what inspires them the most about music; the catharsis and social change that is possible when people come together and share themselves through song.Read more
“The Psycodelics” features Cameron ‘Caminator’ Wescott (bass, vocals), Whitt Burn (guitar, vocals), Jim Rubush (guitar), Sean Bing (drums, vocals), Demario Kitt (drums), and Noah Jones (keys). Their flavor of Black American music has blended foundations of blues, jazz and disco with fresh funk rock. With a stage presence as multifaceted and emotive as its lineup, their already-potent sound retains even greater magic to make you get up and dance.Read more
Elias Alexander’s work swells from the intersection of traditional music, electronic production, and songwriting. Using electronics, he alchemizes tradition into something healing, deeply personal, and of this moment. Wielding bagpipes, fiddle, guitar, whistles, and keyboards on stage while deftly looping and sampling to build energy, Elias weaves together melodies from the Scottish and American traditions, with catchy beats, and original songs that discuss themes of alienation, belonging, and queerness.Read more
Led by the lyrical craftsmanship of singer, guitarist, and songwriter Clint Roberts, the distinctly Appalachian, old-time sound of Asheville’s Holler Choir combines haunting harmonies, stirring string compositions, and heart-wrenching ballads, yet hardly conforms to a stereotypical genre. Call it a confluence of old-time, Americana, and bluegrass, but, by its own exceptional design, the sound and atmosphere of Holler Choir are singular.Read more
Award-winning guitar phenom Billy Strings is coming back to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival 2024 on Thursday night and he’s teaming up with Chris Thile of The Punch Brothers fame and his recent Nickel Creek performance at MerleFest for his opening set on the evening of Thursday, June 20. Also on Thursday, will be performances by other recent MerleFest acts Sierra Hull, The Langan Band, Charley Crockett and the ever-present Telluride House Band featuring Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas and company. For the full stellar lineup, visit the website.
From the good folks at Planet Bluegrass: “They’re going to do what only those two virtuosos can: blow our little brains with the deftness of their fingers on frets. You can’t miss it! The town allowed us a few additional tickets this year, so it’s still possible for you to make it for the fun. Grab your passes and camping while they’re still available.”
Don’t have the cash for a ticket? Planet Bluegrass is still looking for volunteers to join their cohort, so if you’re interested, please apply! You can find all the necessary info here. And if you really, truly can’t make it, don’t forget to tune into the KOTO live stream. Happy Listening!
The 20th annual Spring Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance returns May 2-5, 2024, in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Featuring performances from hosts Donna The Buffalo, Scythian, Watchhouse, Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, Time Sawyer, The Shoaldiggers and more than 50 other musical acts along with camping, yoga, food trucks, artisans, sustainability workshops, healing arts, kids areas and so much more.
After last year’s affectionately dubbed “MudFest,” MerleFest 2024 was blessed with only a few sprinkles and mostly sunny skies. That may be in large part to the new concrete slab that now graces the area in front of the Watson Stage that for decades has turned into a mud pit when the inevitable showers fell on fans and musicians alike.
But that wasn’t the only thing new at this year’s festival. The most diverse lineup the festival has ever seen graced the 12 stages throughout the four-day event, which remains inspired by the vision of festival founder and North Carolina native Doc Watson. As a result of that diversity, the most diverse crowd was also drawn to the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, over April 25-28.
“MerleFest 2024 was a testament to the enduring spirit of community and music,” explained Wes Whiston, festival director, in a press release. “The unwavering support from our artists, fans, staff, volunteers and sponsors not only creates unforgettable moments but also fuels the educational mission of Wilkes Community College. The beautiful weather this weekend served as a perfect backdrop to the magic unfolding on stage, adding an extra layer of joy to our festivities. We were thrilled to see an overwhelming turnout on Thursday evening, a resounding affirmation that MerleFest continues to grow stronger with each passing year.”
That Thursday turnout was the direct result of one of the most stellar one-day lineups in the festival’s history, which included local breakout star Presley Barker, Dan Tyminski, Steep Canyon Rangers, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway and wrapping up with Old Crow Medicine Show, whorang in their seventh appearance at MerleFest with choice cuts from their expansive catalog, as well as some surprising covers including Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em.” The Friday night headliners also commemorated 25 years of touring as well as the 25th anniversary of their MerleFest debut with cameos by Tuttle, Willie Watson and other MerleFest regulars. With even more to celebrate, the band presented a birthday cake and sang to MerleFest’s own “B” Townes before inviting the ever-present Arthur Grimes to the stage for an old-fashioned Appalachian flatfoot dance off.
Friday’s Watson Stage performances kicked off with MerleFest’s house band Celtic rockers Scythian, who are celebrating 20 years as a band. Kyshona made her MerleFest debut with her soulful sound along with other first-timers Nick Shoulders, Buffalo Nichols, Uwade and Willi Carlisle. Later, The Langan Band brought their Scottish sensibilities to the Traditional Stage, just before blue-rock sister group Larkin Poe fired up the Watson Stage and Red Dirt legends Turnpike Troubadours closed out the night. Night-owls were treated to a spectacle of hip-shaking singalongs by New Orleans-influenced Shinyribs.
Saturday saw too many memorable moments to count but included the annual Veterans Jam, featuring Jack Lawrence, Joe Smothers, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan, John Cowan, and T. Michael Coleman and The Waybacks’ legendary Hillside Album Hour, which treated fans to a front-to-back performance of Stevie Wonder’s iconic 1973 masterpiece,“Innervisions,” along with tributes to Jimmy Buffett, Sinead O’Connor and Gordon Lightfoot among others.
MerleFest’s annual band competition entertained crowds on the Plaza before naming Florencia & The Feeling as this year’s winner. And over in the Walker Center, 14-year old prodigy Wyatt Ellis led a special jam featuring guests Jim Lauderdale, Peter Rowan, Jack Lawrence, John Cowan and The Kruger Brothers, before joining mandolin virtuosos Sam Bush, Liam Purcell, and Chris Henry on the Creekside Stage for Mando Mania. Back on the Watson Stage, Béla Fleck performed an inspiring set of instrumental arrangements and selections from his 2021 album, “My Bluegrass Heart,” followed by powerhouses S.G. Goodman, Sam Bush Band andcountry crooner Brandy Clark, who also graced the Hillside Stage earlier in the day with an inspirational set. The Teskey Brothers topped off the evening with their Aussie-tinged brand of blues rock.
Sunday offered something for every musical taste from gospel to he highly-anticipated return of Nickel Creek, whorounded out the weekend with a 90-minute string jam of seismic proportions. Chris Thile said it had been nearly 20 years since the trio had performed at MerleFest and their delight at being back was obvious.
The Sensational Barnes Brothers hosted a powerful Gospel Hour on the Creekside Stage; Roy Book Binder, along with Charles Welch, The Harris Brothers, and Bob Margolin led a Sunday Blues session on the Americana Stage. The Traditional Stage saw lots of activity too, with a traditional jam hosted by Pete & Joan Wernick, ‘Shaped Note Singing’ with Laura Boosinger, ‘Women Who Sing & Play’ with Carol Rifkin, Bayla Davis, Liz Lanham and others, and finally, Wayne Henderson & Friends closing out the afternoon. Finally, GRAMMY-winning country-rock outfit Lukas Nelson & POTR rocked the Watson Stage before turning the mic over to Raleigh-based New Dangerfield on the Cabin Stage and then Nickel Creek.
MerleFest, presented by Window World, concluded its annual spring homecoming this weekend with a larger-than-life “Traditional Plus” celebration, drawing both seasoned attendees and newcomers. The event is the biggest economic driver of scholarships, capital projects and educational needs within the greater Wilkesboro community. Since its inaugural event in 1988, MerleFest has continued to demonstrate a commitment to supporting the residents of Wilkes County, while showcasing outstanding talent from its home state and beyond. This year’s festival was no different, with nearly 100 acts spanning diverse styles and genres performing across 12 stages from Thursday through Sunday.
As the tents come down on another incredible festival weekend, all sights are set on MerleFest’s return to WCC on April 24-27, 2025, with ticket and lineup news forthcoming. Learn more at www.merlefest.org.
Calling all volunteers…We are in search of some more dedicated folks to join our volunteer cohort! We probably sound like a broken record raving about our volunteers so much, but we really have such a blast. We hope you join us! Apply to volunteer
And songwriters, too! You have until May 19 to submit your original song into our Songwriter Showcase. You can catch last year’s winner, Cindy Kalmenson, on the Main Stage on Aug. 10. We can’t wait to hear your music! Submit a song
From the good folks at the Earl Scruggs Center: Having surpassed a milestone 10th year in operation this January, the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, North Carolina, will resume celebrations with the return of its annual Center Stage Concert Series on on Thursday, March 21, with a performance by IBMA award-winning outfit Tray Wellington Band.
The series features a world-class lineup of Americana and bluegrass mainstays, including Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius, Kristin Scott Benson & Friends, Black Opry Revue, and more, the series is set to kick off this week and continue monthly through Aug. 8. For a complete schedule of events, pricing information, and ticket links, see below.
Earlier this year, Earl Scruggs Center played host to a special anniversary edition of its yearly Remembering Earl benefit concert, which also coincided with the 100th birthday of three-finger banjo pioneer, Earl Scruggs. The one-night revue included performances by GRAMMY-winning bluegrass ensemble The Travelin’ McCourys, esteemed banjoist Tony Trischka and unrivaled dobro master Jerry Douglas. Taking place at Shelby’s Malcolm Brown Auditorium, just down the road from the small community where Scruggs was born and raised, the event was part of a widespread effort to memorialize the legacy and international impact of the singular bluegrass picker.
With a whirlwind year ahead, Earl Scruggs Center looks forward to showcasing an array of talent at its forthcoming Center Stage Concert Series. Founded in 2014, the first-rate facility boasts an immersive, all ages museum and multipurpose event space which plays host to a variety of programming year-round. In addition to its unique display of permanent exhibits, the Scruggs Center also regularly features a number of rotating presentations that further explore Earl Scruggs’ comprehensive career, personal history, and cultural impact. To learn more about Earl Scruggs Center and its current offerings, visit www.earlscruggscenter.org.
Tickets to Earl Scruggs Center Presents – Center Stage Concert Series are on sale now. A limited number of season passes are available while supplies last. For tickets, visit http://earlscruggscenter.org/events/.
Earl Scruggs Center – Center Stage Concert Series 2024 Lineup March 21 – Tray Wellington Band April 16 – Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius May 21 – Laura Boosinger & Josh Goforth June 20 – Black Opry Revue July 18 – Larry & Joe August 8 – Kristin Scott Benson & Friends TICKETS: Individual Show $30-35; Season Passes $160-175 TICKET PURCHASE LINK: earlscruggscenter.org/events/
Front Porch Fest set for Aug. 29 – Sept. 1, 2024, has announced its initial lineup for the 15th iteration of the live music festival that has become a much-loved Labor Day Weekend tradition in Patrick County, Virginia.
According to organizers, the first round of the Front Porch Fest 15 musical lineup feels like a fresh bouquet of talent ready to bloom alongside cherished FPF favorite performers.
Get ready to dance, sing and bask in the love-filled atmosphere provided by artists who are sure to cultivate an unforgettable festival experience:
Larry Keel’s Electric Larry Land Afrobeta Big Daddy Love Erin & The Wildfire The Jared Stout Band The Judy Chops Jon Tyler Wiley & His Virginia Choir GOTELua Flora Slick Jr & The Reactors The Freeway Jubilee Couldn’t Be Happiers Oh, Christopher The Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs Borrowed Earth White Rose Motor Oil Fluidity Performance Troupe FPF Family All Star Band
In addition to music, Front Porch Fest features an array of children’s activities, yoga, campsite jams, on-site camping, craft brews and foods, and more! Make plans with some friends, the family, or join us solo if you’d wish!
The festival is a family friendly event and children 12 and younger are free! Please add (1) 4 Day GA (Child 12 and under) ticket to your order per little one.
Volunteer and vendor opportunities are available. Find out more about FPF15 at frontporchfest.com.
From the good folks at the Earl Scruggs Music Festival, which will return to Mill Spring, North Carolina on Aug. 30-Sept. 1 with a trifecta of outstanding talent, supreme amenities and family friendly entertainment.
This week organizers announced the 2024 lineup will include “Delta Dawn” hitmaker Tanya Tucker, seminal string band Old Crow Medicine Show, country and bluegrass mainstay Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, Colorado jamgrass ensemble Yonder Mountain String Band, and many more first-class pickers. Held annually at Tryon International Equestrian Center, Scruggs Fest has quickly become a beloved tradition among fans of Earl Scruggs, the three-finger banjoist who pioneered one of the most popular musical techniques in history. Along with the aforementioned acts, Scruggs Fest looks forward to welcoming returning hosts Jerry Douglas and The Earls of Leicester, plus first-time guests The Steeldrivers, Mighty Poplar, Lindsay Lou, Miko Marks, and nearly a dozen others. See below for a complete 2024 lineup.
Now entering its third year, Earl Scruggs Music Festival was established in partnership with WNCW 88.7 at Isothermal Community College in Spindale, NC and the Earl Scruggs Center located in Shelby, NC. According to Bluegrass Today, Scruggs Fest “has already risen to the top tier of annual music festivals.” WMOT in Nashville adds, “[Scruggs’ family] would have been impressed by this tribute to the most influential bluegrass musician in history;” while Grateful Web dubs the festival “a truly exceptional event.” With a standout lineup featuring the best in traditional roots music and progressive fusions, Earl Scruggs Music Festival will continue to illuminate the profound impact that Scruggs had on American culture, while uplifting fresh and noteworthy voices in the genre. A portion of proceeds will support the festival’s beneficiaries, the Earl Scruggs Center and Isothermal Community College, who serve Earl Scruggs’ home region of the Carolina Foothills with cultural programming through multiple channels.
Additional programming to be announced at a later date will include performances by Junior Appalachian Musicians, PacJAM, and more. The festival will once again take place at Tryon International Equestrian Center in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Known for its roster of rotating events including world class equestrian competitions, festive holiday celebrations, concerts, and more, the immaculate campus will serve as a quintessential backdrop for the festival, which promises on-site lodging, dining, and comfortable amenities throughout the event weekend.
Advance-price tickets are currently on sale, with a variety of General Admission and VIP packages available. VIP ticket packages include reserved seating in VIP-exclusive indoor and outdoor spaces, exclusive merchandise items, complimentary refreshments, and more. On-site camping and cabin rentals are also available for reservation via the festival website.
For more details and to stay up-to-date on all things Earl Scruggs Music Festival, visit earlscruggsmusicfest.com/.
WHAT: Earl Scruggs Music Festival WHEN: Aug. 30-Sept. 1, 2024 WHERE: Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Blvd., Mill Spring, NC 28756 TICKETS:earlscruggsmusicfest.com/tickets
About Earl Scruggs Center The Earl Scruggs Center combines the life story of legendary five-string banjo master and Cleveland County native, Earl Scruggs, with the unique and engaging story of the history and cultural traditions of the region in which Scruggs was born and raised. It was in the nearby Flint Hill community where Scruggs learned to play banjo and perfected the three-finger playing style that has come to be known around the world as “Scruggs Style.” The Earl Scruggs Center explores Scruggs’ innovative career and the community that gave it shape while celebrating how he crossed musical boundaries and defined the voice of the banjo to the world. Mr. Scruggs embraced tradition while also adapting to the changing times and looking toward the future – themes that resonate throughout the Center. Engaging exhibits, special event space, and rich programming provide a uniquely rich experience for visitors.
About Tryon International Equestrian Center Tryon International Equestrian Center is the ultimate international destination for all who love horses, outdoor living, and an active lifestyle. As host of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, Tryon International Equestrian Center offers first-class facilities for all FEI disciplines in addition to showcasing hunter/jumper, equitation, steeplechase, polo, and multi-discipline events in Mill Spring, NC. From carousel to competition, the mission of Tryon Resort is to celebrate the magic of the horse, grow equestrian sport, and increase access to this majestic animal. A haven for equestrian competitors and enthusiasts alike, Tryon Resort is an iconic, year-round destination for connoisseurs of diverse cuisine and shopping, lodging getaways, and family entertainment.
About WNCW 88.7, Isothermal Community College WNCW is a listener-supported public media service of Isothermal Community College, which serves the community through advancing new musical discoveries, showcasing local and regional talent, and preserving and promoting the traditions of Appalachian and roots music in our area and beyond. The station’s eclectic mix includes Americana, Triple-A rock/acoustic, bluegrass, blues, jazz, reggae, world, and other roots music styles, in addition to weekly spotlights on jam bands, Frank Zappa, and more. Live artist interviews and performances are broadcast frequently from WNCW’s professional recording studio, “Studio B”. As the flagship bluegrass station, WNCW broadcasts contemporary, traditional, and historical bluegrass music for eight hours each Saturday. Listeners can find WNCW at 88.7 FM throughout most of its listening area, which includes Western NC, Upstate SC and Eastern Tennessee. Translators rebroadcast the signal at 101.3 in Charlotte, 97.3 in Greenville, 92.9 in Boone and 90.9 WSIF in Wilkesboro. The station also has a worldwide audience through its livestream at wncw.org
PBSNC Network Television Premiere of MerleFest Documentary “My Name is Merle” set for 10 p.m. onThursday, March 21
From the good folks at MerleFest: MerleFest, presented by Window World, will hold its 36th annual festival April 25-28 on the campus of Wilkes Community College. Today festival organizers announced MerleFest pioneering artist John Cowan will join the already stellar lineup, including appearances by Old Crow Medicine Show, Turnpike Troubadours, The Teskey Brothers, Nickel Creek, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, The Earls of Leicester, and many more.
Additionally, the festival is proud to unveil the complete 2024 stage schedules, in conjunction with the release of the updated MerleFest 2024 mobile app (available now for download now on all Apple and Android devices), making it easier than ever to plan your weekend, set reminders for performance times, learn more about each artist, listen to the official MerleFest 2024 Spotify playlist, and much more.
Ahead of this year’s festival, MerleFest fans can enjoy a screening of director Robert Kinlaw’s award winning documentary, “My Name is Merle.” The film will premiere on Thursday, March 21, at 10 PM, on PBS NC and the free PBS App. Chronicling the rise and continued legacy of North Carolina’s favorite community fundraiser-turned renowned music festival, My Name is Merle is a delightful crash course in all things MerleFest. My Name is Merle is produced by EducationNC.
MerleFest is proud to once again welcome its 2024 Acoustic Kids Showcases with Andy May. Since 2001, the Acoustic Kids program has given young musicians of any skill level the opportunity to perform on festival stages in a supportive environment. Beginner through pro, all musicians 18 or younger are welcome to participate and share their music with the MerleFest audience. Each year, MerleFest hosts three, 1.5-hour showcases, and a half-hour Acoustic Kids Ambassadors set. Pre-registration is required to participate in Acoustic Kids and is open through March 20 (or until all showcases are full). Register early to hold your spot! Online registration, showcase schedules, and FAQs are available at https://andymay.com/acoustic-kids-registration-merlefest/, and detailed registration instructions are at https://andymay.com/acoustic-kids/registration-instructions/.
The Wilkes Community College Foundation will host its fourth annual MerleFest Mega Raffle to support scholarships at WCC. Over $140,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. ONLY 3,000 tickets will be sold, and you do not have to be present to win. The Mega Raffle drawings will be held during the festival on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at the Raffle/Silent Auction Tent at 2:00 p.m. Winners will be announced during the live drawings and notified via email and phone to confirm the prize. Raffle tickets are $100 each and include two entries to the MerleFest Mega Raffle drawings. Mega Raffle tickets ON SALE NOW! https://merlefest.org/megaraffle/
Celebrating its 36th year this spring, MerleFest continues to draw fans from all over the world to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains for four days of music, moments and memories. Proceeds from the annual event will support the year-round initiatives of Wilkes Community College while continuing to preserve and honor the legacies of its founding figures, Doc and Merle Watson. MerleFest 2024 tickets are available now. For general admission passes, as well as patio seating, reserved seating, camping, parking, and more, please visit merlefest.org/purchase.
Charlotte’s sixth annualTuck Fest set for April 19-21, 2024, celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions and demos at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, but also offers FREE live music interspersed with other activities Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday.
There is also a vendors’ village and the complex has several places to eat and drink. Competitions include trail running, kayaking, biking, climbing, stand-up paddle boarding, obstacle course and adventure racing. The name “Tuck Fest” comes from the Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail, a historical landmark located at the center.
ArtistsLineup Friday: Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway, The Heavy Heavy. Saturday: Margo Price, Dylan LeBlanc. Sunday: Courtney Barnett, Rayland Baxter.
Music starts 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; activities start 10 a.m.
While tickets are free, parking costs $6 daily per standard car, $18 per larger vehicle.
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