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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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HoustonFest 2017 set for June 9-10 in Galax, Virginia

HoustonFest celebrates the life of young banjo picker, Houston Caldwell (more info here) with two days of stellar bluegrass, oldtime and country music artists. Held annually the second weekend in June, the 2017 festival is set for June 9-10 at Felts Park, 601 South Main St., in Galax, Virginia. The gates open at 10 a.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday.

This year’s impressive lineup includes the Earls of Leicester with Jerry Douglas, John Berry, Flatt Lonesome, the Church Sisters, Emi Sunshine, Shadowgrass and the Snyder Family Band, among many others

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The Seldom Scene to make Rives Theatre debut on Friday, March 10

The Seldom Scene is bringing its unique blend of progressive bluegrass on Friday, March 10, to the historic Rives Theatre in uptown Martinsville, Virginia. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door and day of show. Doors open at 8 p.m. with music starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase online here.

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Town Mountain, Tift Merritt and Caleb Caudle among artists playing Yep Roc’s Benefit For The ACLU of NC on March 11 at Cat’s Cradle

Asheville, North Carolina-based Town Mountain has just announced it is joining the Yep Roc Records’ Sing Out!, a night of songs and solidarity being held in support of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Carolina at The Cat’s Cradle on Saturday, March 11. Tickets are only $15.
“In today’s political climate, we need now more than ever, a great source for accountability,” says Town Mountain’s banjo player Jesse Langlais in a press release. “The ACLU is that entity. Town Mountain is proud to take part in an event to help fight the good fight.”
Tift Merritt, Caleb Caudle and Alexandra Sauser-Monnig from Mountain Man will also be performing. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30.

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Time Sawyer strikes all the right chords with ‘Wildest Dreams’ album release

If you are a fan of the Marshall Tucker Band and similar ’70s “Southern Fried Rock” groups, you are going to be a fan of Time Sawyer and this  Charlotte, North Carolina-based, alt-country, folk-rock band’s newest release, “Wildest Dreams.”
After a four-year hiatus, the band is introducing its sixth studio album as a follow-up to its well-received album, “Disguise the Limits.”
“Wildest Dreams” is the band’s most mature work to date, perhaps thanks to recording for the first time under the direction of Grammy-award winning producer Mike Ashworth (Steep Canyon Rangers) while recording inside the walls of the acclaimed Echo Mountain Studio in Asheville, North Carolina.

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John Conlee to perform Saturday, March 4, at historic Rex Theater at Galax, Virginia

If you are a fan of Classic Country 98.1 WBRF, you may have noticed a recent heavy rotation of “Rose-Colored Glasses,” “Backside of Thirty,” “Old School” and my personal favorite, “I Don’t Remember Loving You.”

That’s because the Galax, Virginia, radio station is bringing ’70s and ’80s country hitmaker John Conlee to the historic Rex Theater in downtown Galax at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 4. Tickets are available at the Galax Visitors Center, online at http://www.itickets.com or call 800-965-9324.

 John Conlee

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MerleFest 2017 adds Béla Fleck, The Earls of Leicester featuring Jerry Douglas to 30th anniversary lineup

As if you needed another reason to go to MerleFest this year,  Béla Fleck and The Earls of Leicester featuring Jerry Douglas, a supergroup homage to Flatt & Scruggs made up of several of bluegrass’s finest musicians, have been added to the 30th annual event honoring the late, great Doc Watson and his son, Merle, on Saturday, April 29, on the campus of Wilkes Community College. 

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Mandolin Orange announces 2017 spring tour in support of ‘Blindfaller’

Critically Acclaimed Duo To Play Merlefest, Red Rocks, Bonnaroo, Forecastle, Red Wing Roots, Pickathon

Hailed by No Depression as “one of the most talented acts making music today,” North Carolina-based duo Mandolin Orange — Emily Frantz (fiddle/vocals) and Andrew Marlin (mandolin/vocals) —  have announced spring tour dates in support of their critically acclaimed album, “Blindfaller,” according to a press release. The tour includes notable appearances at Merlefest, Red Rocks, Bonnaroo, Forecastle, Red Wing Roots and Pickathon.

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77th National Folk Festival announces initial performer lineup

The National Folk Festival has announced the first group of artists who will be performing in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina, from Sept. 8 – 10, 2017. The 77th National Folk Festival in 2017 marks the event’s third and final year of its three-year residency in North Carolina’s Piedmont. Organizers report that based on the success of the National Folk Festival, a feasibility study is currently underway toward launching a legacy North Carolina Folk Festival in 2018.

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The Steel Wheels announce full lineup for Red Wing Roots Music Festival on July 14-16 at Natural Chimneys Park

From the good folks at Red Wing Roots Music Festival:

Harrisonburg, Va. – The Steel Wheels and the Red Wing Roots Music Festival are pleased to announce a fifth consecutive year of great music and great fun at Natural Chimneys Park in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. This year’s music festival will be held from July 14-16, 2017.

Festival hosts and hometown favorites The Steel Wheels will be joined by dozens of other artists, including Steve Earle & The Dukes, Lake Street Dive, Tim O’Brien, Sarah Jarosz, Mandolin Orange, Pokey Lafarge, The Cactus Blossoms, Darlingside, and many more! The full lineup can be viewed at http://www.redwingroots.com/2017-line-up/

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