Appaloosa Roots Music Festival has announced the initial lineup for Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2018, will include not one, but three, of my personal favorites — North Carolina-based Mandolin Orange, Town Mountain and Fireside Collective — thanks in part to a grant from the state of Virginia’s tourism folks, otherwise known as “Virginia is for Lovers.” Continue reading
Category Archives: Music Festival
Scythian among artists to release new albums at MerleFest 2018
If MerleFest has a house band, it’s Scythian.
The band, which blasts folk mixed with Celtic rock and Irish ballads, is composed of a group of siblings with Ukrainian roots — plus friends who create the group’s unique energy.
Scythian is a staple as headliners at Irish/Celtic music festivals across the country, as well festivals on the Americana/bluegrass circuit. Based in the Washington, D.C.-area, the band has performed at MerleFest for more than a decade.
The band kind of entered MerleFest through a side door.
Doc Watson discovered them busking in front of the gates and invited them in — much to the delight of their ever-growing fan base.
Scythian’s music is different, definitely. But what really sets the members of Scythian apart as people and musicians is their love and concern for others, especially the youngest and most vulnerable in our society.
This band of brothers (and sisters) is releasing its second children’s album, “Cake for Dinner 2: Twinkie Twins,” at the 31st annual MerleFest,April 26-29 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, about an hour northwest of Charlotte and west of the Triad.
Annual Spring Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance celebrates its ‘Sweet Sixteen’ on May 3-6
It’s Shakori Season again and the Spring Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance is set for Thursday, May 3, through Sunday, May 6, 2018, in bucolic Chatham County, North Carolina — just down the road from Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Durham, Burlington and Greensboro. The 16th anniversary of this annual event is more like a taking a cruise than attending a festival, organizers say.
“If you really want to get away and not just escape in the music, you can not only relax but learn something new, like how to make cider,” says David Dean, director of media and PR for the festival. “It’s a very diverse palette: educating your mind, healing your body and moving your soul.”
2018 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest finalists to perform at MerleFest on Friday, April 27
From the good folks over at MerleFest:
The prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest has announced the 2018 finalists that will perform at MerleFest. The final round of the competition will take place Friday, April 27; first place winners will receive $600 cash and a Friday night performance slot on the Cabin Stage. Now in its 26th year, CASC is an extraordinary opportunity for songwriters to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of Nashville music industry professionals, under the direction of volunteer contest chairperson, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale. MerleFest, presented by Window World, spans from April 26-29 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, at Wilkes Community College.
Ten fresh faces you won’t want to miss at MerleFest 2018
For years I have discovered some of my favorite artists — Scythian, Mandolin Orange, Front Country, Tift Merritt, Carolina Chocolate Drops and Rhiannon Giddens, just to mention a few — at MerleFest. And this year it appears the good folks at MerleFest has upped the ante on finding some new favorites with its announcement of “10 Fresh Faces to Catch at MerleFest:”
Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival takes collaboration to a new level for RW10 with Marcus King, Billy Strings debut mashup
From the good folks over at Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival:
Marcus King and Billy Strings, two of the hottest names on today’s music scene, will join forces for a world-debut “King & Strings” set on May 25 at Rooster Walk 10, according to a release.
King will join Strings for the duration of a late-night, two-hour set at RW10, and iconic drummer Jeff Sipe will also sit in for the latter portion of the performance.
The two have never met, let alone played together, but each calls himself a fan of the other’s music. The current plan involves an unscripted jam that will begin in the bluegrass/acoustic world native to Strings, before evolving into something more electric and rock-based, with Sipe on the kit.
“I think that will be the most fun, if we showcase a little bit of both. We’ll get Marcus some on an acoustic and then get me on an electric with Marcus,” said the 25-year-old Strings. “We’ll kind of do both of our worlds and make them clash.”
Already a veteran of the special guest sit in, King has played with the likes of Widespread Panic, The Allman Brothers and Greensky Bluegrass, to name just a few. He said he’s looking forward to the improvisational set at Pop’s Farm, which will also feature Billy’s band (banjo, fiddle and bass.)
“I think it’s gonna be a hoot man. If I can be frank, I think it’s a great idea, and we’re gonna have a lot of fun with it,” said King, just 21 years old.
Rooster Walk 10 will take place May 24-27, 2018, at Pop’s Farm in Martinsville, Virginia. Headlining bands include The Wood Brothers, JJ Grey & Mofro and Robert Randolph and the Family Band. To buy tickets or learn more information, visit www.RoosterWalk.com.
Third annual Jam in the Trees to feature diverse lineup including The Travelin’ McCourys, Jerry Douglas, Shooter Jennings and Elizabeth Cook on Aug. 24-25
From the good folks over at The Press House and Jam In The Trees:
Jam In The Trees is proud to announce the lineup for the 2018 festival, which will be held on August 24-25, 2018. The annual music festival returns with a diverse lineup for the third year to Pisgah Brewing Company in Black Mountain, North Carolina.
The roster includes legendary artists The Travelin’ McCourys, Jerry Douglas, Shooter Jennings, Elizabeth Cook, Jane Kramer, Gangstagrass, The Stray Birds, Jim Lauderdale, The Steel Wheels, Fireside Collective, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, The Slocan Ramblers, and Andy Buckner. Following tradition, Jam in the Trees will host music on both an indoor and outdoor stage, and will strategically schedule artists so that there are no overlapping sets. In addition to award-winning Pisgah beer, food trucks will be present on-site, as well as unique vendors and local artisans.
2018 MerleFest Band Competition to feature Brynmor, The Midatlantic among others
I am so excited to announce the 2018 MerleFest Band Competition will feature two of my personal favorites, Brynmor and The Midatlantic. The annual band competition features talented bands from across the country that perform for 15 minutes each.
Rhythm N’ Blooms Festival announces daily artist lineup, single-day ticket sales
From the good folks over at Rhythm ‘N Blooms Fest:
Rhythm N Blooms Music Festival is pleased to announce the daily lineup of artists for its ninth annual music festival. The festival, which takes place in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 6-8, 2018, features a wide variety of national and regional acts ranging from Americana, country, alternative, roots and blues. On Friday, more than a dozen artists including Deer Tick, The Mowgli’s, Caroline Spence, and The Lonely Biscuits will perform across the festival’s seven stages. On Saturday, headliner Dr. Dog will be joined by Hayes Carll, DK the Drummer, Penny & Sparrow, and more. Paul Thorn’s Mission Temple Fireworks Revival featuring The McCrary Sisters will close out the festival on Sunday. Continue reading
HoustonFest 2018 features Del McCoury Band, Flatt Lonesome, The Church Sisters on June 8-9 in Galax, Virginia
HoustonFest 2018, a celebration of song and service, will feature the Del McCoury Band, The Travelin’ McCourys, Flatt Lonesome, The Church Sisters, Blue Highway and many more on June 8-9 at Felts Park in Galax, Virginia. Advance tickets are an extremely reasonable $20 a day or $40 for both days and are on sale at www.houstonfestgalax.com. Continue reading
musicreporterblog 