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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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An Evening with the Couldn’t Be Happiers on Friday, June 20, at Wake Forest Listening Room

An Evening with Couldn’t Be Happiers

The name says it all.

Tuck Satterfield of The Simple Joy writes: “Energetic and quirky, Couldn’t Be Happiers is a folk-rock /Americana duo that enjoys every moment of their second chance at happiness. And it’s pretty damn contagious. Described by Doug Davis of Flytrap Studios as ‘Violent Femmes meets Johnny and June,’ this married songwriting duo joyfully blends rock, pop, bluegrass, and folk into a sound that is uniquely their own. The CBH songbook includes stories about the obsessive drive of a Bigfoot hunter, the life cycle of a plastic bag, the end of the world from global warming, the untold perspective of the first woman hanged in North Carolina, and the acrobatic feats of strength performed by a Cajun burglar feeding his gambling habit. But aside from the stories, what you’ll notice first is the voices — and in particular the beautiful homespun harmonies. Those voices will take you from church to holler to Opry and back again all in one song, thanks to the exhilarating power of Jodi’s vocals and the smoothly classic twang of Jordan’s. With Jodi on drums and harmonica, and Jordan on guitar, Couldn’t Be Happiers roll out an incredible sound, a set of great original songs, and a live show that all but dares you not to enjoy yourself.”

If you want to hear more, head on out to The Wake Forest Listening Room, 415 Brooks St., on Friday, June 20!

The Wake Forest Listening Room features original local, regional and national musicians.

Find tickets at: www.etix.com/ticket/p/65028954/an-evening-with-couldnt-be-happiers-wake-forest-wake-forest-listening-room

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Tan and Sober Gentlemen, GrassStreet and Couldn’t Be Happiers among N.C. State Fair 2023 Homegrown Music Fest acts

 Thursday, October 12
12:30 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
Bleeding Hearts  The Bleeding Heartshttps://www.facebook.com/thebleedingheartsrockAll the fire and venom of late ’70s punk with pop and hard rock tinges from these Raleigh mainstays
4:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
The Phoebes Band  The Phoebes Bandhttps://www.facebook.com/thephoebesbandTriangle-based rock and blues outfit with soulful vocals, screaming guitars, and a driving rhythm section
8 p.m.Brad  Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist
Make sure to see Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist use hypnosis to entertain at this family-friendly Vegas-style show. He uses volunteers who want to experience a great time. Relax, let go and find out just how much fun you can have! Brad only uses volunteers, no actors, just people who want to experience the great feeling of hypnosis.
 Friday, October 13
11 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
Teens in Trouble  Teens In Troublehttps://www.facebook.com/teensintroublemusicFuzzed-out, surf-influenced guitars, catchy hooks, and disarmingly direct lyricism 
2 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
Christian James  Christian Jameshttps://www.instagram.com/christianjames7/Pushing the boundaries of hip hop and blending myriad genres with a live band ensemble
5:30 p.m.Nick  Nick Autryhttps://www.facebook.com/nickautrymusic/NC-native involved in over a dozen #1s for Nashville’s biggest singers including Carrie Underwood and Sam Hunt returns for a full-band home state show
8 p.m.Brad  Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist
Make sure to see Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist use hypnosis to entertain at this family-friendly Vegas-style show. He uses volunteers who want to experience a great time. Relax, let go and find out just how much fun you can have! Brad only uses volunteers, no actors, just people who want to experience the great feeling of hypnosis.
 Saturday, October 14
11 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
Carolina Ambush  Carolina Ambushhttps://www.facebook.com/CarolinaAmbushBandRockin’ modern country music ensemble from the GSO Triad area
2 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
Lie Heavy  Lie Heavyhttps://www.facebook.com/lieheavyBrand new metal supergroup featuring members of Corrosion Of Conformity, Confessor, Leadfoot, and The Backsliders 
5:30 p.m.NuBeing  The NuBeing Collectivehttps://www.facebook.com/nubeingcollectiveGreensboro collective with a masterful spin on contemporary hip hop with elements of jazz, blues, soul, and funk 
8 p.m.Brad  Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist
Make sure to see Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist use hypnosis to entertain at this family-friendly Vegas-style show. He uses volunteers who want to experience a great time. Relax, let go and find out just how much fun you can have! Brad only uses volunteers, no actors, just people who want to experience the great feeling of hypnosis.
 Sunday, October 15
11 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
Sun Queen Kelcey  SunQueen Kelcyhttps://www.facebook.com/sunqueenkelceyA gorgeously mellow start to your Sunday via a genre-bending collage of soul, hip-hop, rock, and contemporary R&B by way of Greensboro
2 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
CorDeLux  Cor De Luxhttps://www.facebook.com/cordeluxbandPost-punk and dream pop merged elegantly by these Outer Banks natives
5:30 p.m.Azul  AZULhttps://www.facebook.com/AZULMZGrand and intricate pop melodies from this gifted Raleigh singer-songwriter 
8 p.m.Brad  Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist
Make sure to see Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist use hypnosis to entertain at this family-friendly Vegas-style show. He uses volunteers who want to experience a great time. Relax, let go and find out just how much fun you can have! Brad only uses volunteers, no actors, just people who want to experience the great feeling of hypnosis.
 Monday, October 16
11 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
Jim Quick and Coastline  Jim Quick & Coastlinehttps://www.facebook.com/jimquickcoastlineSouthwestern-NC “swamp soul” icons bringing the beachy vibes to the Waterfall stage
2 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
Reese McHenry  Reese McHenryhttps://www.facebook.com/reesemchenrybandBluesy garage-rock epics from the Chapel Hill-based wailer 
5:30 p.m.Hip Hop  Hip Hop, Beats & Thangshttps://www.facebook.com/hiphopbeatsandthangsLegendary local emcee K-Hill showcases his new podcast with live performances, stories, interactive beat-making, and more
8 p.m.Brad  Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist
Make sure to see Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist use hypnosis to entertain at this family-friendly Vegas-style show. He uses volunteers who want to experience a great time. Relax, let go and find out just how much fun you can have! Brad only uses volunteers, no actors, just people who want to experience the great feeling of hypnosis.
 Tuesday, October 17
9:30 a.m.
11 a.m.
Dwayne Jordan Quartet  Dwayne Jordan Quartethttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063555524697Skillful jazz quartet led by the great drummer, composer, and arranger from Charlotte
10 a.m.Senior FunFest  Senior FunFest
12:30 p.m.
2 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
Cygnus  Cygnus X-2https://www.facebook.com/Cygnusx2bandThe Triangle’s own uncanny Rush tribute, playing all the classics as well as progressive deep cut jams
5:30 p.m.Elora Dash  Elora Dashhttps://www.facebook.com/eloradashmusicProgressive R&B and smooth neo-soul out of Chapel Hill
8 p.m.Brad  Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist
Make sure to see Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist use hypnosis to entertain at this family-friendly Vegas-style show. He uses volunteers who want to experience a great time. Relax, let go and find out just how much fun you can have! Brad only uses volunteers, no actors, just people who want to experience the great feeling of hypnosis.
 Wednesday, October 18
10:45 a.m.Mil Day Program  Military Appreciation Day Program
11:15 a.m.
1:15 p.m.
4 p.m.
6 p.m.
440  440th Army Band
12:15 p.m.Mil Uniform Revue  North Carolina Department
of Natural and Cultural Resources
Military Uniform Revue
8 p.m.Brad  Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist
Make sure to see Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist use hypnosis to entertain at this family-friendly Vegas-style show. He uses volunteers who want to experience a great time. Relax, let go and find out just how much fun you can have! Brad only uses volunteers, no actors, just people who want to experience the great feeling of hypnosis.
 Thursday, October 19
11 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
Dead  Dead Fox No Groovehttps://www.facebook.com/deadfoxnogrooveJammin’ psychedelic blues and rock straight from Wilmington
2 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
xo  XOXOKhttps://www.xoxokmusic.com/Carrboro’s guitar virtuoso, creating soulful, smooth, soft and intricate tunes with his expert band
5:30 p.m.duck  Duckhttps://www.facebook.com/duckthebandRaleigh-based band that’s funky, bluesy, jazzy, and a lil’ dirty
8 p.m.Brad  Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist
Make sure to see Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist use hypnosis to entertain at this family-friendly Vegas-style show. He uses volunteers who want to experience a great time. Relax, let go and find out just how much fun you can have! Brad only uses volunteers, no actors, just people who want to experience the great feeling of hypnosis.
 Friday, October 20
11 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
Deb  DB Edmundshttps://www.facebook.com/dbedmundshqFounding member of Gladhands and The Stars Explode returns with gorgeous power pop-inflected tunes
2 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
Jazz  Jazz Xpressions feat Lydia Salett Dudleyhttps://www.lydiasalettdudley.com/Masterclass in American music from graduates of the NCCU jazz studies program
5:30 p.m.Riggs  Riggsbee Roadhttps://www.facebook.com/riggsbeeroadPop, country, and classic tunes with a big banjo sound and three-part vocal harmonies from this unique and powerful femme phenom
8 p.m.Brad  Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist
Make sure to see Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist use hypnosis to entertain at this family-friendly Vegas-style show. He uses volunteers who want to experience a great time. Relax, let go and find out just how much fun you can have! Brad only uses volunteers, no actors, just people who want to experience the great feeling of hypnosis.
 Saturday, October 21
11 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
Marcel  Marcel Portilla Bandhttps://marcelportillaband.com/Soaring Latin/pop/rock/tropical fusion group from Charlotte
2 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
Whitsett  Whitsetthttps://www.facebook.com/whitsettbandBurlington’s exports, combining the best of old-school and new-school emo with their own deft melodic stamp 
5:30 p.m.Super Grit  Super Grit Cowboy Bandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Grit_Cowboy_BandThe south’s hottest honky-tonkers since 1975
8 p.m.Brad  Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist
Make sure to see Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist use hypnosis to entertain at this family-friendly Vegas-style show. He uses volunteers who want to experience a great time. Relax, let go and find out just how much fun you can have! Brad only uses volunteers, no actors, just people who want to experience the great feeling of hypnosis.
 Sunday, October 22
11 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
Notas  Notasium Showcasehttps://www.notasium.com/Showcase of incredible youth ensembles from the Triangle-based indoor musical play spaces and music schools  
2 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
Tan and Sober  The Tan & Sober Gentlemenhttps://www.facebook.com/tanandsoberSnow Camp’s raw and unfiltered Celtic punk-grass
5:30 p.m.BrookeBrooke Hatalahttps://www.brookehatala.com/Alum of NBC’s The Voice, this gifted Nashville singer-songwriter and Raleigh native returns for a hometown performance
8 p.m.Brad  Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist
Make sure to see Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist use hypnosis to entertain at this family-friendly Vegas-style show. He uses volunteers who want to experience a great time. Relax, let go and find out just how much fun you can have! Brad only uses volunteers, no actors, just people who want to experience the great feeling of hypnosis.
Heritage

HERITAGE CIRCLE STAGE

 Thursday, October 12
1 p.m.
3 p.m.
5 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
grass  GrassStreethttps://www.facebook.com/grassstreetGreat bluegrass ensemble from central NC with some rock, blues and jazz influences sprinkled in
 Friday, October 13
10 a.m.
12 p.m.
Boone and Church  Boone & Churchhttps://www.hcpress.com/announcements/avery-countys-boone-church-band-members-win-the-2022-ffa-national-convention-talent-competition-in-indianapolis-in.htmlAvery County’s finest bring a hybrid of bluegrass and gospel melodies 
4 p.m.
6 p.m.
8 p.m.
Court  Courtney Lynn & Quinnhttps://www.facebook.com/CourtneyLynnandQuinnStunning harmonies from the Charlotte-based Americana duo
 Saturday, October 14
10 a.m.
12 p.m.
Billy  Billy & The Kids Bluegrasshttps://www.facebook.com/bandkbluegrassFamily bluegrass band from the sandhills of Richlands    
2 p.m.
4 p.m.
6 p.m.
8 p.m.
earl  Earleinehttps://www.facebook.com/earleinemusicTonal and textural experimentation from the western-NC bred Americana songwriter  
 Sunday, October 15
10 a.m.
12 p.m.
mike  Fiddlin’ Mike Ferryhttps://mikeferrymusic.net/home Internationally-known fiddler, songwriter, author, teacher, and member of the Triangle’s own Weekend Excursion 
2 p.m.
4 p.m.
6 p.m.
8 p.m.
Massive  Massive Grasshttps://www.facebook.com/massivegrassAlternative and progressive bluegrass from the Wilmington coast
 Monday, October 16
11 a.m.
1 p.m.
3 p.m.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.
Carolina  Carolina Line Bluegrass Bandhttps://www.facebook.com/carolinalinebluegrassbandBluegrass and country straight out of Southport/Oak Island, NC  
 Tuesday, October 17
11 a.m.
1 p.m.
3 p.m.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.
Morgan  Morgan Creek Bluegrasshttps://www.facebook.com/MorganCreekBluegrassTraditional bluegrass at its best from these Chapel Hill-based pickers 
 Wednesday, October 18
11 a.m.
1 p.m.
3 p.m.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.
Megan  Megan Dosshttps://www.facebook.com/MeganLeeDossFrom small-town Providence, NC – now belting it out in Greensboro, this powerhouse singer covers country, classics, and more
 Thursday, October 19
11 a.m.
1 p.m.
3 p.m.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.
Garland  Garland Masonhttps://www.instagram.com/garlandmason12/Soulful acoustic tunes from the singer/songwriter and member of Four Founders
 Friday, October 20
10 a.m.
12 p.m.
4 p.m.
6 p.m.
8 p.m.
Couldnt  The Couldn’t Be Happiershttps://www.facebook.com/couldntbehappiersRaw alt-country and folk duo from the NC foothills
 Saturday, October 21
10 a.m.
12 p.m.
Chandler  Chandler Jameshttps://www.facebook.com/chandlerjmusicClassic country sounds from this Nashville, NC native
2 p.m.
4 p.m.
6 p.m.
8 p.m.
Tina  Tina & Her Ponyhttps://www.facebook.com/tinaandherponymusicAsheville’s indie Appalachian folk songsmith 
 Sunday, October 22
10 a.m.
12 p.m.
Straw  Strawhousehttps://www.facebook.com/StrawhousemusicIntermingling folk, rock, Americana, country, and pop elements from this Asheville artist 
2 p.m.
4 p.m.
6 p.m.
8 p.m.
Grassomatics  The Grassomaticshttps://www.facebook.com/GrassomaticsBluegrass and more out of the capital city


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Labor Day Weekend 2018 offers myriad music festival opportunities for fans in Virginia, North Carolina

Listen up music festival lovers: Labor Day Weekend 2018 has plenty of opportunities in North Carolina, Virginia and beyond. Continue reading


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First Listen: Couldn’t Be Happiers release ‘His and Hers’ tunes on Spotify

A year after the Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based dynamic musical duo, Couldn’t Be Happiers, formed, they will release two tracks — “Cajun Spider-Man” and “Mad” — on July 24 that couldn’t be more different or more reflective of the artists. The two-track CD is appropriately called “His and Hers” and is available on Spotify.

Jordan Crosby Lee (vocals, guitar) is a tattooed Texas troubadour who blends melodies and shares harmonies with a Jodi Hildebran (vocals, guitar, harmonica, percussion), a sassy blonde country crooner from North Carolina. Hildebran is a singer/songwriter whose love of pop and Americana music permeates her writing.

I have written in the past that the Couldn’t Be Happiers combine all the best things about classic country music.

That hasn’t changed with the release of the duo’s latest two tracks. I find Lee’s up-tempo “Cajun Spider-Man” tune reminiscent of the storytelling song genre the great Tom T. Hall and Roger Miller, among others, made famous. It’s outlandishness also reminds me a bit of Bruce Springsteen’s more recent “Outlaw Pete.”

Hildebran’s “Mad” is unique in its delivery allowing her the depth of her vocals to shine with a Rhiannon Giddeons’ quality I haven’t heard from Hildebran until now. “Mad” sounds like it should be listened to in a dim speakeasy lit only by candlelight while sipping on a Manhattan.

But don’t take my word for it. Take a listen for yourself:

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Year in Review: My favorite musical picks for 2017

While 2017 will be remembered for many things, it turned out to be a great year for new music. Artists including Steve Earle & the Dukes, Lee Ann Womack, Chris Stapleton, Rhiannon Giddeons and Jason Isbell turned out some amazing albums over the past 12 months, but you don’t need me to tell you that.

Instead, I am going to focus on my own purely subjective list that evolves mainly from music festivals I attended, interviews I conducted and stories I published online on this blog, HalfwaySouth.com or on HuffPost that features my favorite genres (primarily folk, Americana, country, rock) and up-and-coming artists that I hope you will take the time to listen to in the coming year and beyond.

And now, in no particular order, here’s my picks for the best listens of 2017. Happy listening! Continue reading


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First Listen: Couldn’t Be Happiers debut EP on Saturday, Dec. 23, at Granite Falls Brewing Co.

The promising duo,  “Couldn’t Be Happiers,” is releasing its debut EP at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23, at Granite Falls Brewing Co. in Granite Falls, North Carolina (map).

But you can get an exclusive first listen of this fresh, new music, “Let’s Not Bury the Obvious,” here:

The Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based duo, “Couldn’t Be Happiers.”  is made up of Jodi Hildebran (vocals, guitar, harmonica) and Jordan Crosby Lee (vocals, guitar). They remind me of all the best things about classic country music.

“Right now, since we are such a young band, we put together the best representation of ourselves we could in three songs,” Lee explains. “We’re songwriters first. Live performers a close second and recording artists third. That will come.”

The Couldn’t Be Happiers plan on selling hard-copy and digital EPs for $5 “just to recuperate cost, including studio time,” Lee adds. “It will also be on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify. We’re basically giving it away to gain exposure and book more live shows.”

You can learn more about the duo here.

 


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Taylor Swift vs. Ed Sheeran: Models for releasing new music continue to evolve

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Music artists are faced with a conundrum today that is worthy of a song. And it’s not just music artists. Ask anyone who is trying to promote a book or any other form of artistry. Do you give your artistic works away to gain exposure? Or do you try to get fans to pay for your hard-earned efforts, instead?

For example, many musicians these days are giving away new tunes on Amazon Prime, Apple Music, SoundCloud and Spotify, just to name a few, in order to try to build a following in the hopes that the masses will then seek out live shows. Continue reading