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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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Infamous Stringdusters’ 7th annual The Festy Experience to feature Sam Bush, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lee Ann Womack, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Nicki Bluhm, Jim Lauderdale and many more on Oct. 7-9

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.

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Ticket still available for Jake Owen show in Danville, Va., on Saturday, Aug. 6

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.

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Appalachian music prodigy Emi Sunshine coming to The Rives Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 6

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.

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Superchunk, Finks to perform free as part of Flow Honda Sunset Thursdays on Aug. 4 at Winston-Salem’s Bailey Park

From the good folks at Phuzz Records and Flow Honda:

Flow Honda Sunset Thursdays presents the 6th volume of the free community concert series at Bailey Park in Wake Forest Innovation Quarter, continuing the fun from last summer!

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On Huffington Post: Don’t Miss These Acts at FloydFest 16

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The following post ran originally on The Huffington Post here:

FloydFest 16 kicks off today with headliners Greg Allman, Warren Haynes, Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers, Railroad Earth, Anders Osborne, Greensky Bluegrass, Leftover Salmon and Pimps of Joytime along with newcomers Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Shakey Graves, The Wood Brothers, Elephant Revival and the Monophonics.

Other artists include Nahko and Medicine for the People, Rich Robinson, the Otis Taylor Band, The Larry Keel Experience, Con Brio, Banditos, The Legendary Shack Shakers, Dustbowl Revival, Head for the Hills, Honey Island Swamp Band and The Congress.

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2016 IBMA Awards nominees announced

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The 2016 IBMA Awards nominees will be announced at 10 a.m. (CDT) on Wednesday, July 27, on Sirius XM’s Bluegrass Junction Channel 61.

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The King Bees bring the blues to Green Heron Ale House on Saturday, July 22

The first time my husband and I tried to find the Green Heron Ale House, I’ll admit it, we got lost. Tucked away in the bowels of rural Stokes County, North Carolina, just outside of Danbury, the rustic brew pub and live music joint is located in the shadow of Hanging Rock State Park on the banks of the meandering Dan River. And while it’s not easy to find, it is worth the trip.

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On Huffington Post: Mason Via is headed ‘Up, Up, Up’ to perform at FloydFest for the first time

This story also appeared on The Huffington Post here.
Mason Via is transcending musical genres with his unique brand of what has been described as Appalachian funky folk, soulful acoustic, rhythm and bluesgrass and groovy Americana.  His debut album, “Up, Up, Up,” is an eclectic mix of Appalachian string instrumentation, world percussion and soulful vocals mixed with powerful songwriting.
But it’s his country roots that come through the loudest and clearest when he hits the stage. No surprise really when you learn that the Danbury, North Carolina, native grew up in the shadow of Hanging Rock State Park in rural Stokes County on the banks of the Dan River.
“Living in correspondence with nature is one of the main points of my music,” Via, pronounced like “sky,” explains on a new micro-documentary, “Back to the Rock,” on his website.

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Royal House returns to The Mad Bean in Madison, N.C., on Saturday, July 16

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Royal House, a Walnut Cove, North Carolina,-based band, is returning to The Mad Bean, 100 S. Market St., in Madison at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 16.

Adam Hincher is the special opening guest.

According to the band’s ReverbNation page, if you like Ben Howard, Bon Iver, Tyler Nail or Ryan Adams, you’ll like Royal House.

Members of the band are Nicholas Bullins on vocals, Jonathan Rhodes on guitar, Mason Wilson on drums, Gopaldas Semeta on bass,  Govinda Semeta on flute and Sandy Uselton on piano.