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.
According to ABC 11, the 2022 Dreamville Festival brought $6.7 million to the local economy. Restaurants, bars and retail shops saw a boost in tourism revenue. Many area hotels saw an average 92% capacity rate.
Hey there music lovers, are you ready to sing along to some electrifying music? Well, hold onto your hats because the Lovin’ Life Music Fest is coming to Uptown Charlotte May 3-5, 2024, and it’s bringing the house down with an epic lineup that will blow your mind!
Charlotte-based Southern Entertainment, the brilliant minds behind this sensational festival, have just dropped the bombshell of all bombshells by revealing the star-studded roster of artists who will grace the stages of this inaugural event.
Picture this: under the dazzling lights of Uptown Charlotte, you’ll be swaying to the soulful melodies of Post Malone, getting lost in the timeless classics of Stevie Nicks, and feeling the vibes with Noah Kahan. But wait, there’s more! Prepare to be serenaded by the enchanting sounds of Maggie Rogers, get pumped up with The Chainsmokers, and get down with Charlotte’s very own DaBaby. And that’s just the tip of the musical iceberg!
Joining these headliners are a plethora of sensational acts spanning various genres and generations. From the heartfelt harmonies of The Avett Brothers to the infectious energy of The Fray, from the funky grooves of Ripe to the soulful stylings of Allen Stone, there’s something for everyone at Lovin’ Life Music Fest.
But let’s not forget about our homegrown talent! The QC Local Stage will be buzzing with the electrifying performances of Charlotte’s very own musical prodigies, including Sweet Spine, Modern Alibi, Fox N’ Vead, and many more. Get ready to show them some love and support as they take center stage and rock your world!
And hey, it’s not just about the music at Lovin’ Life. We’re talking about a celebration of arts, culture, and cuisine that will tantalize your senses and leave you craving for more. With ticket sales skyrocketing and sponsors clamoring to be a part of this musical extravaganza, it’s safe to say that Charlotte is on its way to becoming the next big Music City!
So mark your calendars, spread the word, and get ready for the ultimate music experience of a lifetime at Lovin’ Life Music Fest. For more information about the lineup drop, click here.
DEL YEAH! Two iconic musical families are going to join forces for a one-of-a-kind set as Lukas Nelson will be backed by The Travelin’ McCourys, the organizers of DelFest, set for May 23-26 in Cumberland Maryland, announced today.
“We are also so excited to announce some newcomers to DelFest this year: Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Shinyribs, John Craigie, The Mountain Grass Unit and Jig Jam, along with returning acts such as Brothers Comatose and more! Get ready for an exciting mix of familiar faces and new artists at DelFest this year! Regardless of whether it’s their first time or a return performance, they’re all part of the DelFest family!”
Phase 2 of DelFest’s 2024 lineup has been announced! We are thrilled to announce a dozen more artists, some of which will be experiencing the Festival for the first time! This year’s lineup (so far!) is:
The Del McCoury Band The Travelin’ McCourys Lukas Nelson with The Travelin’ McCourys Greensky Bluegrass Old Crow Medicine Show Sierra Ferrell Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives Leftover Salmon Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country Yonder Mountain String Band Shinyribs John Craigie The Brothers Comatose Sam Grisman Project Davisson Brothers Band Sister Sadie The Mountain Grass Unit Mr. Sun East Nash Grass The Sweet Lillies Big Richard Dré Anders Jig Jam Joe Mullin & The Radio Ramblers The Broomestix Dirty Grass Players Sweet Sally Armchair Boogie Joe Craven MC
And we’re not done yet! Hang tight for phase 3, and until then… Del Yeah!
From the good folks at Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival:
Rooster Walk 14 has announced the following bands have been added to its final lineup for the event on May 23-26, 2024, at Pop’s Farm just outside Martinsville, Virginia: North Mississippi Allstars, Big Something, Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers, The Seldom Scene, The Rooster Walk House Band, Myron Elkins, The Collection, Kaira Ba, Holler Choir, Lillie Mae, Kind Hearted Strangers, Florencia & The Feeling, The Shoaldiggers, Sela Campbell, Raffi Kids’ Set, Sugarbush
The North Mississippi Allstars, an internationally touring blues band known for its rollickingly energetic shows, top the third and final list of bands joining the 14th annual Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival lineup. NMAs, which will be making its RW debut, have been nominated for four Grammys over a 25-year career that has produced 12 albums and countless sold out shows.
Big Something will also join the RW14 lineup. The North Carolina-based jamband has played nearly a half-dozen Rooster Walks over the years. The six-piece band is known for its big sound of soaring guitar solos, synth, horns and soulful vocals.
Other bands getting added to the lineup include: Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers (Roots rock, iconic songwriter from Nashville, TN); The Seldom Scene (internationally celebrated pioneers of progressive bluegrass); The Rooster Walk House Band (all-star collective featuring Ron Holloway, Jeff Sipe, Josh Shilling, Wallace Mullinax, Florencia Rusinol, Jake Dempsey and friends); Myron Elkins (swamp rock, Otsego, MI); The Collection (Indi Rock, Saxapahaw, NC); Kaira Ba (world music, North Carolina); Holler Choir (old-time, Asheville, NC); Lillie Mae (Singer/songwriter, Nashville, TN); Kind Hearted Strangers (rock, Colorado); Florencia & The Feeling (R&B/soul, Johnson City, TN); The Shoaldiggers (Horny swampgrass, North Carolina); Sela Campbell (country, Northern Virginia); Raffi Kids’ Set (Raffi Tribute by Miles Andrews and full band; Saxapahaw, NC); Sugarbush (rock/blues, Virginia).
Bands that had been previously announced to the RW14 lineup include: Emmylou Harris (Country Music Hall of Fame inductee with five No. 1 singles on the Billboard country music charts, Nashville, TN); Cory Wong (funk/rock/pop, Minneapolis, MN); Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band (Colorado supergroup featuring members of Greensky Bluegrass, Leftover Salmon, the Infamous Stringdusters, Jon Stickley Trio and more); two nights of Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country (Nashville, Tenn., jam twang); TAUK Moore (funk collaboration between Doom Flamingo’s Kanika Moore and TAUK); Dogs in a Pile (a New Jersey-based funk/jazz/rock jamband); Couch (Boston, Mass. – funk/rock/soul); Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast (Asheville, N.C. – rock); Yarn (NC/NY roots rockers who will once again perform an original set and a festival-finishing tribute set); Arkansauce (progressive bluegrass from northwest Arkansas); Sneezy (high-energy party music from Chicago, Ill.); The Mountain Grass Unit (up-and-coming bluegrass shredders from Alabama); Isaac Hadden Organ Trio (masterful musicianship from a North Carolina power trio); Sol Driven Train (upbeat, horn-driven rock’n’roll beach vibes from Charleston, SC); J & The Causeways (New Orleans-based soul powerhouse reminiscent of St. Paul & The Broken Bones); Sticks N Thorns (bluegrass duo featuring Andy Thorn of Leftover Salmon and Jon Stickley); Travis Book & Friends (Asheville, N.C., Americana/rock band led by The Infamous Stringdusters’ Travis Book); Colby T. Helms & The Virginia Creepers (bluegrass from nearby Franklin County, Va.); Clay Street Unit (Colorado-based honky tonk/roots rock); The Jared Stout Band (New River Valley, VA, southern rock); and Mighty Joshua (authentic reggae from central Virginia); TC Carter Band (blues, Martinsville, Va.); Lua Flora (Asheville, N.C. – beach folk); Big Fat Gap (Chapel Hill, N.C. – bluegrass); Jules & The Agreeables (Key West, Fla. – rock); DJ What (Martinsville, Va. – DJ); Pirates of the Piedmont (Martinsville, Va. – pirate shanties).
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