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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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Bond Brothers Beer to host 4th Annual Mid-Town Square Spring Fest

Bond Brothers Beer will host the 4th Annual Mid-Town Square Spring Fest from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2019, in downtown Cary, North Carolina.

Come and celebrate with an afternoon of supporting local artists, vendors, a variety of delicious food trucks, and lots of beer!

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MerleFest 2019 announces lineup for Late Night Jam hosted by Chatham County Line

This just in from the good folks over at MerleFest:
MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the 2019 lineup for their beloved Late Night Jam.  Sponsored by The Bluegrass Situation and hosted by Raleigh’s own Chatham County Line, this year’s Late Night Jam will feature Molly Tuttle, Jim Lauderdale, The Brother Brothers, Donna the Buffalo, Presley Barker, Ana Egge, Steve Poltz, and more.

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ROMP single-day tickets on sale

From the good folks over at ROMP fest set for June 26-29 in Owensboro, Kentucky:
“We’re thrilled to release the daily lineup!  Single day tickets are on sale now, and discounted prices last until Sunday night.
“Headliners Trampled by Turtles, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, and Billy Strings kick off the main stage Thursday night, followed by The Del McCoury Band, The Wood Brothers, and The Jeff Austin Band and The Travelin’ McCourys perform the Grateful Ball on Friday.  The party rolls into Saturday with Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder with special guest Patty Loveless, Sam Bush, and Steve Earle & The Dukes and many more.
“The Jagoe Homes After Party Stage gets started Wednesday night with the Glade City Rounders and Relic.  The Rumpke Mountain Boys and Wood & Wire follow up on Thursday night, with Horseshoes & Hand Grenades and Songs from the Road Band rocking the After Party stage on Friday, and Dustbowl Revival closes out ROMP Festival on Saturday night.
“Make your plans and snag single day tickets at a discounted rate through Sunday night, when prices increase.  Tickets available at:  rompfest.com!”


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Gravy Boys release newest CD ‘Bring it Down’ on March 16 at The Kraken Bar

This just in from the Gravy Boys:

Their newest CD, “Bring it Down,” features “11 fantastic songs, which we proudly share with you, so be sure to run right out to your favorite record store, or digital retailer, and get you a copy,” the band writes in an email to fans.

“Bring it Down” is available through all of the usual distribution outlets, such as Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, and CD Baby, and a few more.

“And for all of you who live in the general vicinity of the Triangle region of North Carolina, be sure to come and see us at our CD Release Party and Performance on Saturday, March 16, at The Kraken Bar in Chapel Hill. Music starts at 8. (The Kraken does not sell tickets or charge a cover, but they do pass the tip jar!)

“For more info about this and other upcoming shows, please visit the Gravy Boys website, find us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.”


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Listen Up: Annabelle’s Curse releases new video, heading back to studio

Annabelle’s Curse, one of my favorite music festival discoveries at FloydFest and Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival, has released a new single/video, “You and Me Forever,” that was recorded during the 2018 Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion at Classic Recording Studio in the heart of the festival. They even invited some friends to stop by and record backing vocals. Continue reading


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Rooster Walk 11 band lineup completed with additions of Sam Bush, Steep Canyon Rangers, many more

This just in from the good folks over at Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival:

MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA — Sam Bush Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sierra Hull and Ghost Light are among the final list of bands announced for the 11th annual Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival. Other new additions include:  The Steel Wheels, The Black Lillies, ‘Yarn Morrison’ (Yarn’s tribute to Van Morrison), Runaway Gin, The Trongone Band, Sanctum Sully, Disco Risqué, Kate Rhudy, Adar, The Folly, Chamomile & Whiskey, Prosperity’s Folly, The Drove, and MHC Praise Band.

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MerleFest 2019 adds Amos Lee, The Milk Carton Kids, Steep Canyon Rangers to lineup

This just in from the good folks over at MerleFest:

WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA — MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce new artist additions for MerleFest 2019: Amos Lee, The Milk Carton Kids, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Del McCoury Band, The Casey Kristofferson Band, and David Holt. The annual homecoming of musicians and music fans returns to the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, April 25-28. MerleFest is pleased to welcome these six distinguished acts to the 2019 lineup:

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The Shindig 2018 schedule featuring Dangermuffin, Yarn and Scythian

If you’ve had trouble finding the schedule for The Shindig 2018 “Music For Your Beers,” on Saturday, Nov. 3,  to Clayton, North Carolina, it’s below and you’re welcome.
This event always features a great musical lineup and this year is no exception. More than 25 craft beers will be available along with nine bands, including some of my personal favorites Scythian, Yarn, Jon Stickley Trio, Fireside Collective, Dangermuffin, and Forlorn Strangers, on two stages.

General admission is free and taster tickets to get beer samples in the VIP tent are available at www.theshindig.net.

Hope to see you out there!

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Town Mountain releases New Freedom Blues to high praise

From the good folks at The Press House:

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Today, Town Mountain releases their critically-acclaimed sixth studio album, “New Freedom Blues.” Originally announced by The Bluegrass Situation in June, producer Caleb Klauder joined the Asheville, North Carolina-based band at the legendary Echo Mountain Studios late last year to record the 11-track masterpiece, which features drummer and Sturgill Simpson collaborator Miles Miller, as well as a duet and co-write with Tyler Childers. Praised by outlets like Rolling Stone, No Depression, American Songwriter, Glide, and SiriusXM among others. The band recently played AmericanaFest and appeared on the Grand Ole Opry for the third time; they are currently touring throughout the Southeast and will join Tyler Childers for a handful of dates throughout Texas and Oklahoma in December (full dates below). New Freedom Blues is available today via Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, and the band’s website.

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Listen Up: You don’t want to miss N.C. State Fair’s amazing 2018 musical lineup

The North Carolina State Fair always sports a great music lineup and this year is no exception. Its “Homegrown Music Fest” concert series features 11 days, three stages and 117 performances from Oct. 11-21. My advice is that while you’ll certainly want to catch some of the headliners — Raleigh’s own American Aquarium, the War and Treaty, New Reveille, Summer Brooke and the Mountain Faith Band, RaeLynn and Bucky Covington — make sure you catch some of the lesser-known acts on the Waterfall andHeritage Circle Bluegrass stages.

It wasn’t that many years ago that I discovered country, rock superstar singer-songwriter Eric Church, who as you may recall is a North Carolina native, playing for a small crowd at the fairgrounds’ Dorton Arena. Tickets were $5 because at the time you had to pay extra for concert tickets. Good luck finding a $5 or even $50 ticket to one of Church’s shows today.

Dorton Arena shows begin at 7:30 p.m. each night. Lineup for the show begins no earlier than 6 p.m. and doors are at 7 p.m. Each show is free with State Fair admission, and seating in the arena is first-come, first-served general admission.

I recommend making time to see Jack the Radio, the Pinkerton Raid, Katie Basden, Jump Mountain, David Childers, Big Fat Gap and Carolina Line Bluegrass Band among many others too numerous to list on the Waterfall and Heritage Circle Bluegrass stages.

For specific show times visit http://www.ncstatefair.org/2018/Attractions/HomegrownMusic.htm