This post also appears on The Huffington Post here.
The first time I heard folk, alt-country Americana singer-songwriter Gillian Welch perform live was at MerleFest in 2004 on the heels of the popularity of the Grammy-award winning movie soundtrack for “O Brother, Where Art Thou?,” on which she was an associate producer with the illustrious T-Bone Burnett and performed on two songs. It’s a performance that has stayed with me through the years.
Braiden Sunshine, a finalist a couple of seasons ago on NBC’s hit music competition “The Voice,” is scheduled to participate in a benefit for the Children’s Law Center (CLC) of Central North Carolina’s first-annual Birthday Blast.
The following was also published on The Huffington Post here.
Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia-based alt-folk band Annabelle’s Curse isn’t so much a curse as a happy accident. A series of accidents actually.
One of the original group’s founders guitarist Zack Edwards explains that he showed up on the porch of the other co-founder Tim Kilborne (vocals, banjo, guitar) six years ago after being introduced through mutual friends at Emory and Henry College.
“We started playing music and I just never went home,” Edwards remembers. “We did that for a little while, writing songs on the front porch and playing open mic nights.”
The fourth annual Blue Grass Valley Music Festival will be held at the beautiful Potomac Farm in Highland County, Virginia. The farm is located on Rt 641 Ruckman Lane in Blue Grass.
This year’s lineup includes Whiskey Shivers, BIG DADDY LOVE, Will Overman Band, Chamomile and Whiskey, The Rondo Rigs, Melissa and the Growlers, Shenandoah Alley, The Good Saloon, The Coteries, Together SOUL, Sarah Lynna and Rare Gold.
The festival includes camping, local food, craft beer by Three Notch’d Brewing Co. Harrisonburg Taproom, arts and crafts, a farmer’s market, kids area and lots of other activities, according to organizers.
Visit the website for ticket information here. Kids younger than 13 are admitted free with paid adult.
Red Wing Roots Music Festival attendees know The Judy Chops, self-described as a mountain swing band, put on one heck of a live performance. I’m not sure what you call the group’s unique blend of swing, blues and rock with shades of classic country thrown in, but I call them a good time.The group is currently touring to promote its newest EP, “Bad Like Me.”
If you haven’t had the chance to catch one of the band’s shows, this weekend provides you with two opportunities if you are in or near southwest Virginia.
Fans of Mountain Heart and Annabelle’s Curse can catch both acts at a special show on Saturday, Aug. 20, at Pop’s Farm, the home of Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival.
The inaugural HillFest 2016 is set for Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 2-4, in Hillsville, Virginia.
Among the 30-plus acts in the lineup are Hackensaw Boys, Fake Flowers Real Dirt, Annabelle’s Curse, The Church Sisters, Will Jones, Highway 249, Another Roadside Attraction, The Mastertones, The New Ballard Branch Bogtrotters, Changing Lanes, Mickey Galyean & Cullen’s Bridge, Mad Iguanas, Firecracker Jam, Backporch Bluegrass, Josiah & The Greater Good, Tara Mills & Jimmy Stelling, The Loose Strings Band, Gipsy Danger and more to be announced, according to organizers.
You can find the schedule here.
In addition to live music on four stages, HillFest 2016, “Shakin’ Off the Fleas,” will include camping, food and various other vendors.
The “King of Telluride” has been taking the East Coast by storm in recent years. Sam Bush has been a staple at Merlefest since its inception, but the mandolin virtuoso is no stranger to FloydFest and this spring played Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival for the first time.
Now, on the heels of his newest album release, “Storyman,” he’s headed to The Festy Experience, The Infamous Stringdusters music festival that benefits the Can’d Aid Foundation, set for Oct. 7-9 at the Lockn Festival property in Nelson County, Virginia, located between Charlottesville and Lynchburg.
In addition to Bush, Charlottesville resident Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lee Ann Womack, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Steep Canyon Rangers, the North Mississippi All Stars and Anders Osborne (aka North Mississippi Osborne), are among the acts at the top of the bill for The Festy.
Tickets are still available for Danville Harvest Jubilee’s concert featuring RCA Nashville recording artist Jake Owen. He will perform live at the Carrington Pavilion on Saturday, Aug. 6. The concert is part the Summer Concert Series. Gates open at 6 p.m.
If you haven’t heard of Emi Sunshine, you might be living in a cave. You certainly aren’t watching the Today show, the Grand Ole Opry or YouTube, because this girl is on fire.
If you live within the sound of my voice, you can catch the sensation that is this Appalachian prodigy at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, at The Rives Theatre in uptown Martinsville, Virginia.
musicreporterblog 