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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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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.

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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.

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North Carolina Piedmont’s newest music venue, The Ramkat, opens March 9

From the good folks over at the new The Ramkat:

The Ramkat, a new concert hall and community performance space located in downtown Winston-Salem’s Entertainment District, has announced the lineup for its opening weekend along with an initial lineup of concerts in March and April. Tickets for all announced shows are available now online at http://www.theramkat.com.

The Ramkat is a two-level, 11,670-square-foot entertainment venue located at
170 West Ninth St. Continue reading


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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 TickThe Mowgli’sCaroline Spence, and The Lonely Biscuits will perform across the festival’s seven stages. On Saturday, headliner Dr. Dog will be joined by Hayes CarllDK the DrummerPenny & Sparrow, and more. Paul Thorn’s Mission Temple Fireworks Revival featuring The McCrary Sisters will close out the festival on Sunday. Continue reading


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Tuck Fest promises a great lineup of free music April 19-22 at USNWC

“Tuck Fest” gets its name from the Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail, a historical landmark located on the property of the U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC).

The three-day festival celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions, demos and free live music at the USNWC. The festival features a variety of outdoor sport competitions that include trail running, kayaking, biking, climbing, stand-up paddleboarding, among others

The musical acts include Lettuce, Deer Tick, Shakey Graves, Susto, The Wood Brothers, Grammy-award winning The Infamous Stringdusters and Nikki Bluhm. Continue reading


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Flashback Friday: Seven Questions with Tim O’Brien

In light of the fact that West Virginia native and Grammy-winning, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tim O’Brien is bringing his prodigious talents to Asheville and Raleigh this weekend with “The Banjo Tramps,” today’s Flashback Friday is an interview I had the privilege of conducting at Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival a few years ago. Continue reading


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‘MerleFest On The Road’ featuring the Way Down Wanderers, The Barefoot Movement and Andy May offers a sneak peek of 2018 festival offerings

This just in from the good folks over at MerleFest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina:
MerleFest, the popular music festival founded by the legendary Doc Watson and presented by Window World, offers music lovers a sneak peek of this spring’s festival when MerleFest On the Road tours throughout the Southeast during March. The tour will feature select artists that will perform at MerleFest 2018 or have performed previously at the festival: The Way Down Wanderers, The Barefoot Movement and Andy May.

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First Listen: The Price Sisters provide a fresh take on classic bluegrass


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Martha Bassett to perform at The Barn at Reynolda Village on Friday, Jan. 26

Doors for the latest installment of the “More Barn” Concert Series featuring bluegrass and folk singer-songwriter Martha Bassett open at 7 p.m. with the show slated to start at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, at The Barn at Reynolda Village, 106 Reynolda Village, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Silo Bistro & Bar will be on site with wine and beer for sale.

Bassett was raised on the bluegrass and gospel of her native West Virginia farmland, according to her website bio. Classically trained, Bassett is blessed with a crystalline tone, a remarkable range, and sultry delivery. Her performances are known for their emotional honesty and visceral impact, making everyone in the room feel she’s singing directly to them.  Her musical inspiration moves effortlessly through swing, jazz, folk, country, and rock guaranteeing playful variety at her live shows.

Mixing originals with choice covers, she navigates sexy torch songs, rip-your-heart-out ballads, and slinky groove tunes with ease supported by a band equally comfortable in acoustic and electric settings. With her fourth disc, “The Goodbye Party,” released in 2017, Bassett explores longing, anger, loss and love.  The songs are heartbroken and wistfully triumphant. No Depression describes Martha’s music as “intricate and resoundingly captivating, each song takes me further into a scene.”

Regularly seen on stages at Merlefest, the Eastern Music Festival, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival and concert venues throughout North Carolina and Virginia, she’s opened for Lyle Lovett, Tony Bennett, the Avett Brothers, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Jim Lauderdale, and Chuck Prophet.  Bassett contributed music to the Sony Classics film, “Junebug,” as well. Her tours have taken her up and down the east coast and into the Midwest.