musicreporterblog

Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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Inaugural Biscuits and Banjos festival comes to Durham on April 25-27

A music festival curated by GRAMMY & Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens, and dedicated to the reclamation and exploration of Black music, art, and culture in her home state of North Carolina.

Biscuits and Banjos will take place in downtown Durham at the Durham Performing Arts Center, The Armory, Carolina Theater and more locations, according to a press release.

Greensboro native Giddens’ new festival spans three days to exchange ideas, expand conversations, uplift traditions, and trace the musical and geographical connections of old time, country, Americana, folk, jazz and blues to highlight their complicated origins. The festival will champion Black artists and creators, offering robust musical performances alongside secondary programming to include lectures, workshops and readings from authors, chefs, visual artists, and more. Black culture is not a monolith, and this gathering will provide an opportunity for those working outside the mainstream to come together in community, as well as showing the similar journeys the culture has taken across music, food, and literature.

The festival will honor the 20th Anniversary of the Black Banjo Gathering – a landmark musical summit held in Boone, N.C., in 2005 that became the impetus behind the creation of GRAMMY-winning black string band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, which launched Giddens’ career. She immediately identified Durham as the ideal location to house Biscuits & Banjos given her personal connection to the city and its diverse reach and thriving contemporary culture, as well as its historical Black heritage.

Indoor programming will be ticketed and outdoor programming will be free to the public.

Biscuits & Banjos is a non-profit, community responsive festival. Funding for Biscuits & Banjos is made possible in part by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, North Carolina Humanities, the Danielle Rose Paikin Foundation, the Harper House Foundation, Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund, Duke Arts and Duke Community Affairs, and other generous individual donors, civic, and community partners.

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Rhiannon Giddens, Justin Robinson unveil latest single from soon-to-be released album on March 5

Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson unveiled “Marching Jaybird,” on March 3, the latest single from from their forthcoming album of North Carolina fiddle and banjo music, “What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow” (out April 18 on Nonesuch Records).
The song finds the duo revisiting a recording by influential guitarist and singer Etta Baker, one of their musical heroes and a key inspiration for making this new album.
Produced by Giddens and Joseph “joebass” DeJarnette, the new album see’s Giddens and Robinson playing 18 of their favorite North Carolina tunes: a mix of instrumentals and tunes with words.
Many were learned from their late mentor, the legendary North Carolina Piedmont musician Joe Thompson, one of the last musicians of his era and his community to carry on the southern Black string band tradition. The two also recorded outdoors at Thompson’s Mebane, N.C., home, as well as the former plantation Mill Prong. They were accompanied by the sounds of nature, including two different broods of cicadas, which had not emerged simultaneously since 1803, creating a true once-in-a-lifetime soundscape.


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Scythian returns to North Carolina bringing its unique brand of Celtic rock to Elkin, Raleigh and Wilkesboro in March, April

The members of Scythian, a Celtic rock band known for bringing legions of MerleFest fans to their feet since 2007, may call Virginia home, but North Carolina comes in at a close second.

And their upcoming touring schedule is reflective of why the Old North State feels like coming home for the current foursome made up of brothers Alexander Fedoryka (Vocals, Fiddle, Mandolin, Harmonica) and Danylo Fedoryka (Vocals, Guitar, Accordion) along with Ethan Dean (Vocals, Upright and Electric Bass, Percussion, Guitar) and Johnny Rees (Vocals, Drums, Percussion).

The classically trained Fedorykas grew up on the Ukrainian folk music of their ancestors and bluegrass, while Dean was raised on the greats of 60’s and 70’s folk-rock. Lafayette, Louisiana native Rees brings a Cajun beat to the Celtic-Americana fusion giving Scythian yet another dimension to keep audiences entertained and moving.

Scythian had its most prolific year in 2020 with more than 1,000 hours of live streams held during the Covid lockdowns, the release of two new albums (Roots & Stones and Quaranstream: The Album) and four new music videos. But you have to catch their live show to understand why The Camel City Dispatch said of one of their Merlefest performances: “[Scythian gives] no quarter in their quest to entertain and bring a joy to their music that gives it an irony-free, wide open feel of manic possibility. The playing is technically brilliant, but it is the energy that carries the day.”

Scythian, which means “nomad” in Ukranian, has been described as fusing Celtic and Americana music with thunderous energy into what the band’s members call “immigrant rock.” Check out the following links to catch one of the band’s upcoming N.C. shows.

Learn more abou the band in a story I wrote about them that was published in The Huffington Post.

NORTH CAROLINA TOUR SPRING 2025

The Reeves Theater and Café

Friday, March 14 @ 8 p.m.

“One of our favorite places to play, and it ALWAYS sells out months before we get there, we’re BACK at the Reeves Theater! Grab your tickets ASAP because this place sells out faster than Taylor Swift Concert,” the band says on its website.

Nashville Farmer’s Market

Friday, Apr 11  FREE SHOW

4th Annual Farmers Market

PineCone Presents 2025 Down Home Concert Series: Scythian

Saturday, April 12 @ 7:30 p.m.
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts Raleigh, NC

MerleFest 2025, Wilkesboro

Friday, April 25

Saturday, April 26

Sunday, April 27

“We couldn’t be more excited to return to MerleFest for another incredible year! There’s nothing like the energy and camaraderie of this iconic festival. Join us as we turn up the fiddles, kick up the tempo, and dive into a set that celebrates the heart and soul of MerleFest. Get ready to sing, dance, and make some new memories—see you there!”



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Lovin’ Life Music Fest set for May 2-4 in Charlotte fan appreciation sale ends Friday, March 21

Don’t Miss Out: Lovin’ Life Music Fest Fan Appreciation Sale Ends March 21 at Midnight!

Lovin’ Life Music Fest set for May 2-4 in Charlotte is just around the corner and tickets are in high demand.

The festival’s annual Fan Appreciation Sale is coming to an end on March 21 at midnight. This is your last chance to grab tickets before the next pricing tier kicks in.

SKIP THE LINES AT WILL CALL – get your tickets purchased by March 28 to make sure you get your wristbands (aka entry into the festival) shipped directly to you! All current payment plan holders must be paid in full by March 28 to get their wristbands shipped to them.

Don’t wait – tell your friends and grab your three-day or single-day tickets now!

To learn more or purchase tickets visit: https://lovinlifemusicfest.com/news/


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Moe Bandy honors 45th anniversary of George Jones’ classic with new single ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Country music legend Moe Bandy honors George Jones for the 45th anniversary of “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by releasing his version as the latest single from his upcoming album, “Songs I Missed.”

Written by Bobby Braddock and Curley Putman, the song became a No. 1 hit for Jones in 1980 and was ranked among Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” The single premiered on Feb. 28 on the Dillon Weldon & Drifting Cowboy Podcast and is now available on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Spotify.

Produced by Jimmy Capps, “Songs I Missed” is a collection of Bandy’s renditions of timeless country classics and will be released on May 2, 2025, via StarVista Music.

“Every country singer, if they’re being completely honest, would probably admit they wish they had recorded ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today,’” said Bandy in a press release. “That being said, no one could have delivered it the way George Jones did. The heart and emotion he poured into every note made it truly his own. We can all wish, but that song found its rightful owner. I loved George and wanted to honor him with this tribute.”

One of America’s all-time leading classic country music artists, Bandy’s long string of hits includes “Bandy The Rodeo Clown,” “Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life,” “Till I’m Too Old To Die Young,” “Americana,” “It’s A Cheatin’ Situation,” “Just Good Ol’ Boys,” “Barstool Mountain,” “I Cheated Me Right Out of You,” “I Just Started Hatin’ Cheatin’ Songs Today,” “Rodeo Romeo,” “You Haven’t Heard the Last of Me,” “Holding The Bag” and dozens of other chart-toppers.

Whether writing, recording new songs, or traveling the world performing, Moe has one of the busiest schedules in show business. He has amassed 10 #1 hits, 40 Top Ten hits, and 5 Gold Albums. He has also won the ACM Song of the Year award, the ACM Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year award, the American Video of the Year award, and the ACM and CMA Duet of the Year awards.

Fans can catch up with Bandy on tour in the coming weeks:

MAR 06 – Grand Ole Opry / Nashville, Tenn.
MAR 07 – The Liberty Showcase Theater / Liberty, N.C.
MAR 08 – Old Dominion Barn Dance / Hopewell, Va. (with Joe Stampley)
MAR 09 – Tuck’s Bar / Minor Hill, Tenn.
MAR 13 – Main Street Crossing / Tomball, Texas
MAR 14 – Granbury Live / Granbury, Texas
MAR 15 – Brady Civic Center / Brady, Texas
MAR 22 – Jackson Street Jams / Burnet, Texas
APR 12 – Texas Pride / Adkins, Texas
APR 26 – Smithville Jamboree / Smithville, Texas (with Joe Stampley)
MAY 02 – Blackhawk Creek Grill / Whitehouse, Texas
MAY 03 – Downtown San Saba / San Saba, Texas                
JUN 06 – The Pines Theater / Lufkin, Texas
JUN 07 – 11th Street Cowboy Bar / Bandera, Texas
JUL 18 – Spencer Theater / Alto, N.M.
AUG 22 – Private Event / Kingsport, Tenn.
OCT 09 – Clay Cooper Theater / Branson, Mo.


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RockyGrass 2025 lineup includes The Infamous Stringdusters, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Sam Bush, Del McCoury Band, Rhonda Vincent, Mason Via, and many more

The 53rd annual RockyGrass Festival 2025 is set for July 25-27. Very limited tickets and camping are still available! Located in Lyons, Colorado, RockyGrass is traditional bluegrass at its finest. Red rock cliffs and ottonwoods peer down over the property as the North St. Vrain River flows through the festival grounds just feet from the main stage.

Buy passes

Volunteers are still needed! Join the awesome community of volunteers! Work three shifts in exchange for your Festival pass. 

Learn more

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21st Spring Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival set for May 1-4, 2025

The Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance is a collaboration between the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center and the GrassRoots Festival Organization, providing a family-friendly celebration of music, dance, art and education!

This year’s spring festival includes headliners and hosts Donna the Buffalo, The California Honeydrops, Los Lobos, and many more! Tickets, which are $159 for four days during the early bird special, are on sale now at https://shakorihillsgrassrootsfestival.thundertix.com/orders/new?performance_id=3116033

The Shakori Hills Community Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Make a donation to the SHCAC!

The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival Organization is also a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. Find out more about the GrassRoots Family.


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Come Hear Stokes Thursday Songwriter Series kicks off with Caleb Caudle, Laurelyn Dossett on March 13

The Stokes County Arts Council, 500 N. Main Street, Danbury, North Carolina, is hosting Come Hear Stokes Thursday Songwriter Series hosted by Laurelyn Dossett. Tickets are $10 at the door.

The Arts Place of Stokes
502 Main St
Danbury, NC 27016

Thursday March 13 – 7-9 PM- Caleb Caudle & Laurelyn Dossett
Thursday April 10 7-9 PM- Anna Mertson & Josh Shelton
Thursday May 8 7-9 PM- Alicia Bullard (Full Band Show)
Thursday June 13 7-9 PM- Sarah Sophia & Jacob Harbour

Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/StokesArtsNC.


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Front Porch Fest tickets on sale now

Get the lowest price tickets to Front Porch Fest 16, Aug. 28-Aug. 31, at SpiritHaven Farm before the first lineup drops! Save money on VIP, General Admission, RV and Car Camping by purchasing early.

Front Porch Fest is a four-day family-friendly music festival held in Patrick County, Virginia, featuring local, regional and national touring acts. Produced by One Family Productions.

For tickets and more information, visit this link.