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The Gatlin Brothers to headline free July 4 Celebration 2016 at Martinsville Speedway

If you are looking for some free entertainment, carnival rides and a spectacular fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day 2016, look no further than the Martinsville (Virginia) Speedway, just north of the North Carolina state line.

The following announcement is from the good folks at Martinsville Speedway:

For more than 60 years Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers have entertained crowds of all-ages. On July 4, they will bring the show to Martinsville Speedway, as the headline band for Celebration 2016.

The Rogues will be the night’s musical opener. Celebration 2016 is free and open to the public.

Continue reading →


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Red Wing Roots Music Festival has released a limited number of single-day tickets for July 8-10 event

Red Wing Roots Music Festival has released a limited number of Single Day tickets for the fourth annual music festival at Natural Chimneys Park in Mount Solon, Virginia, on July 8-10, 2016. 

Festival organizers along with hosts, The Steel Wheels, have done an excellent job of pulling together another outstanding line up of regionally and nationally-acclaimed musicians for this three-day festival in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.
Please visit http://www.redwingroots.com/2016-line-up/ to learn more about the full line up and festival schedule.


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Gears and Guitars kicks off with free concert in Winston-Salem on Saturday, May 21

I’m going to give Phuzz Phest founder Philip Pledger a shout out for this one because I think his success has shown the powers that be in Winston-Salem that music festivals can be successful in this city.

This weekend marks the kickoff of a new music festival, “Gears and Guitars,” being held in conjunction with the Winston-Salem Cycling Classic. The festival features The Band Perry, jam band O.A.R., Gin Blossoms, Better Than Ezra and Sister Hazel, among others.

Saturday’s show, Drivin’ N’ Cryin’, a Southern rock band from Atlanta that had a gold record in 1991 with “Fly Me Courageous,” will perform a free show at 7 p.m. Saturday on Trade Street between Sixth and Seventh.

Read more about the festival in the Winston-Salem Journal here and get out and enjoy some shows and support live music in the Camel City!


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Carolina Roots MusicFest makes debut May 13-14

The Carolina Roots MusicFest is set to make its debut May 13-14 in Statesville, North Carolina. The two-day celebration is being advertised as “diverse music styles performed by outstanding national and regional artists.”

Artists include Keller Williams Solo, The Black Lillies, Anderson East, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Major And The Monbacks, The Low Counts, Abe Reid and The Spikedrivers, JMTCB Band, Moose & Friends, Steel Fish & Incense,  Lacy Mandigo and three special appearances by Iredell Rhythm Experience “IRE”.

Organizers say, “Gather your music lovin’ friends and lawn chairs to join us for a weekend of rhythm and blues, soul, country rock and eclectic fusion music!”

Limited Tent & RV Camping can be purchased by Wednesday, May 11.

For tickets or to learn more, visit http://www.carolinarootsmusicfest.com/

Tyler Barham


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Tyler Barham with John Griffin to perform Friday, May 6, at Stonefield Cellars

Rising Country Star Tyler Barham will be performing in concert in the Stonefield Cellars Barrel Room at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 6, in Stokesdale, North Carolina.  Accompanied by John Griffin native of Madison, North Carolina, this duo presents the best of contemporary country music covers and a growing repertoire of impressive originals.   Barham’s concerts at Stonefield Cellars sell out, so advance ticket purchase is highly recommended.
Tickets are $15.
To learn more about Barham, visit  TylersWebsite.
Wine, Beer, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
Click here to purchase or call the winery during normal business hours 1-336-644-9908.


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Madison, N.C.’s Courtney Rorrer named finalist in MerleFest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest

For the second year in a row, someone with ties to Rockingham County, North Carolina, is a finalist in MerleFest‘s famed Chris Austin Songwriting Contest.

Courtney Rorrer of Madison and Asa Gravley of Beckley, West Virginia,  are finalists in the bluegrass category for their tune,  “Midnight Tears,” and will perform Friday, April 29. Last year, Carri Smithey (now of Burlington, N.C., but used to live in Madison), Josh Coe (Saxapahaw, N.C.), Ryan Burgess (Burlington, N.C.) and Keith Ingalls (Burlington, N.C.)  were finalists in the country category of the contest for their song “No More.” Continue reading →


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Rooster Walk 8 adds 30 more bands to festival lineup

Just released from the folks at Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival:

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — From funk to folk, blues to bluegrass and jambands to jazz bands, the eighth annual Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival will have something for just about every music lover.

Rooster Walk 8 has unveiled an additional 30 acts that will take part in the Memorial Day weekend festival at Pop’s Farm just outside Martinsville. Continue reading →


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My 2016 Grammy Predictions: Alabama Shakes, Chris Stapleton will be big winners

Following are my predictions for a few of the categories for the 58th Annual Grammy Awards, which air tonight on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. EST:
Record of the Year
Who should win: Taylor Swift for “Blank Space”
Who will win: Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars for “Uptown Funk”
Album of the Year
Who should win: Alabama Shakes for “Sound & Color”
Who will win: Chris Stapleton for “Traveller”
Song of the Year
Who should win:  Taylor Swift for “Blank Space”
Who will win: Kendrick Lamar for “Alright”
Best New Artist
Who should win:  Courtney Barnett
Who will win: Meghan Trainor
Best Pop Solo Performance
Who should win:  Taylor Swift for “Blank Space”
Who will win: Ed Sheeran for “Thinking Out Loud”
Best Pop Vocal Album
Who should win: Taylor Swift for “1989”
Who will win: Taylor Swift for “1989”
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Who should win: Bob Dylan
Who will win: Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap
Best Rock Performance
Who should win: Foo Fighters
Who will win: Alabama Shakes
Best Rock Song
Who should win: Florence and the Machine for “What Kind of Man”
Who will win: Alabama Shakes for “Don’t Wanna Fight”
Best Solo Country Performance
Who should win: LeeAnn Womack for “Chances Are”
Who will win: Chris Stapleton for “Traveller”
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Who should win: Little Big Town for “Girl Crush”
Who will win: Little Big Town for “Girl Crush”
Best Country Song
Who should win: Tim McGraw for “Diamonds Rings and Old Barstools”
Who will win: Chris Stapleton for “Traveller”
Best Country Album
Who should win: Kacey Musgraves for “Pageant Material”
Who will win: Chris Stapleton for “Traveller”
Best Americana Album
Who should win: Brandi Carlile for “The Firewatcher’s Daughter”
Who will win: Jason Isbell for “Something More Than Free”
Best American Roots Song
Who should win: Béla Fleck And Abigail Washburn for “And I Am Born to Die”
Who will win: Don Henley for “The Cost of Living”
Best American Roots Performance
Who should win: Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell for “The Traveling Kind”
Who will win: The Punch Brothers for “Julep”

Best Folk Album

Who should win: Rhiannon Giddens for “Tomorrow Is My Turn”
Who will win: Rhiannon Giddens for “Tomorrow Is My Turn”
What are your predictions? Find the full list of nominees here.


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‘Live at the Rives Theatre Concert Series’ kicks off with Love Canon on Saturday, Jan. 30

Updated with local musician Chris Wood opening for Love Canon.

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The historic Rives Theatre in uptown Martinsville, Virginia, will kick off its annual fundraiser “Live at the Rives Theatre Concert Series” 2016 season with Love Canon on Saturday, Jan. 30. Fans of Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival and FloydFest won’t want to miss this show to get a preview of one of the acts that will be featured at FloydFest 16 and hopefully at Rooster Walk 8.

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PhuzzPhest 2016 adds Sunflower Bean to lineup

The folks at Phuzz Phest announced today the following addition to the 2016 lineup: “Rolling Stone named Sunflower Bean as one of the most anticipated bands of 2016, and we’re excited to have them at the festival this April! Check out their new single via Stereogum,”  festival organizers announced on Facebook.

Winston-Salem’s Premier Music Festival, returns to the Camel City for its sixth annual event with 50-plus bands and much more the weekend of April 15-16, organizers report.

Weekend wristbands are on sale now. The full lineup and more information White Denim, coming soon at http://PhuzzPhest.com/