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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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Scythian announces String Break Cruise 2027 full lineup

Here’s the latest from your favorite Celtic rockers Scythian:

Headlining this musical juggernaut is the Grammy-Winning Steep Canyon Rangers! One of North Carolina’s most beloved bands, the Steeps are a headliner in the Bluegrass-Americana circuit, and their show will leave you with a grin on their face.

Next up we have String Break I favorites Carbon Leaf returning for another epic adventure on the high seas. Carbon Leaf’s brand of Indy Folk blends radio-ready tunes with masterful lyrics which will have you laughing, crying and dancing all in one set!

Indy-folk phenoms Tophouse are blowing things up while committing to their third straight String Break Cruise. Aside from being a viral internet sensation, Tophouse has received a standing ovation at their Grand Ole Opry debut, opened for Molly Tuttle at the Ryman, made their MERLEFEST debut and will be releasing their much anticipated new music starting in Gebruary! It’s starting to feel that String Break wouldn’t be String Break without Tophouse and we’re thrilled to have them back!

Yet another Virginia favorite – The Steel Wheels – is making their String Break debut, and we couldn’t be more pumped! If you joined us for Appaloosa 2025, you will recognize the founders of Redwing Roots Music Festival, who have long been favorites on the Americana music scene and their music is a masterful marriage of folk music with pop sensibilities.

JigJam (AKA, Jiggy Jiggy Jam Jam…if you know you know) AND The Elders will ALSO be returning for their second year in a row!

JigJam’s star keeps on rising as they solidify their status as the inventors of “iGrass” (Irish Bluegrass). The lads from Tullamore are quickly becoming favorites in the bluegrass world. With several Grand Ole Opry performances under their belts, you may see members popping up on stage with Sierra Ferrel here and there and their resume keeps on growing and growing.

The Elders are perhaps the most talented songwriters on the Irish circuit, and their fanbase follows them whenever they leave their home of Kansas City. If any band owned a city, it is The Elders and Kansas City. Almost 200 fans joined them aboard this past year, and it promises to be yet another epic set of shows in 2027!

We’re fired up to welcome back Socks in the Frying Pan for their THIRD straight year aboard String Break! The lads from County Clare bring blistering Irish trad, tight-as-a-drum harmonies, and the kind of onstage chemistry that turns every set into a full-blown session. And of course…the “friendly feud” with Tophouse continues. There may or may not be exaggerated storytelling. There may or may not be questionable attempts at Irish accents from certain Montana-based individuals. And there will absolutely be musical fireworks.

Upstate New York-based Driftwood made a huge splash at Appaloosa 2025 earning them a slot on String Break III. Their mix of male and female lead vocals creates a variety which hooks the listener and makes them feel like all their worries have melted away and they’re sitting on the deck of a ship somewhere in the Caribbean (hmmm…)

Closing out this incredible lineup is long-time Scythian buddies House of Hamill! Founded by the former lead singer of Enter the Haggis, House of Hamill is the perfect marriage of Celtic and Americana (kind of like String Break Cruise!) If you like harmonies, House of Hamill is your band.

We’re also thrilled to welcome Hilary Klug as an official Special Guest on String Break Cruise III! A Nashville-based fiddler, champion buck dancer, and viral sensation, Hilary has carved out a one-of-a-kind lane in the acoustic world. With roots in traditional Appalachian music and a modern energy that’s captivated millions online, Hilary brings authenticity, charisma, and serious chops to every stage she steps on!

Now that we gave you some info on the lineup, let’s get down to important navigational details (don’t abandon ship just yet)!

From Jan. 17–23, 2027, we’ll be casting off from Ft. Lauderdale’s Everglades Port and charting a course through pure paradise. Our stops include the Bahamas, Princess Cays, and Grand Turk — because if you’re going to pick and grin till the sun comes up, you might as well do it somewhere with turquoise water and a drink with an umbrella in it!

READY TO BOOK? CLICK HERE!

String Break Cruise III is ALL-INCLUSIVE

🍹 Princess Plus — automatically included!
Every guest is automatically enrolled in the Princess Plus package, and yes…it rules. This means

  • Staff gratuities included
  • WiFi for one device
  • 15 FREE drinks per day (up to $15 each — cheers!)
  • Two premium desserts a day
  • Two casual dining meals
  • Two fitness classes

All included. No extra math. No surprise charges. Just smooth sailing. And you can always upgrade your package for more perks!

💰 ZERO RISK — ALL REWARD!
Your deposit is FULLY REFUNDABLE UNTIL OCTOBER 1ST, 2026. That’s right — you can secure your spot now with absolutely no worries! Drop anchor early and relax.

!!! You MUST book through Travel Professionals !!!
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: To access ANY String Break Cruise activities, you must book through Travel Professionals. If you book through Princess Cruises or any other website, you’ll be sailing…but you will not have access to String Break events. We don’t want anyone lost at sea on this one!

🛌 Cabins go faster than a stiff tailwind!

Remember, we’re already pushing 600 signups and last year sellout was at 950. This ship will sell out fast! The best rooms disappear QUICK, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. If you care about where you’re bunking, it’s best to sign up TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF STRING BREAK CRUISE!

Three cruises in, and somehow each one gets bigger, louder, and more special. We cannot adequately express how blessed we are to have been given this incredible opportunity to build such a wonderful community through this project. And it’s all thanks to each and every single one of you who has supported us along the way!  String Break Cruise isn’t for us – it’s for you

Thank you for helping us get this far – now let’s test the limits and see how far we can really go!


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Annual Spring Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance celebrates its ‘Sweet Sixteen’ on May 3-6

It’s Shakori Season again and the Spring Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance‎ is set for Thursday, May 3, through Sunday, May 6, 2018, in bucolic Chatham County, North Carolina — just down the road from Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Durham, Burlington and Greensboro. The 16th anniversary of this annual event is more like a taking a cruise than attending a festival, organizers say.

“If you really want to get away and not just escape in the music, you can not only relax but learn something new, like how to make cider,” says David Dean, director of media and PR for the festival. “It’s a very diverse palette: educating your mind, healing your body and moving your soul.”

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ROMP Festival will celebrate the roots, branches of bluegrass on June 21-24, 2017

Founded in June 2004 by the International Bluegrass Music Museum, ROMP Festival has been celebrating the roots and branches of bluegrass ever since and this year is no exception.

Scheduled for June 21-24, 2017, in Owensboro, Kentucky, ROMP’s impressive lineup includes: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Punch Brothers, Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass, Los Lobos, Rhiannon Giddens, Yonder Mountain String Band, Jerry Douglas Band, Peter Rowan, The SteelDrivers, Pokey LaFarge, Dailey & Vincent, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, We Banjo 3, Billy Strings, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Scythian, Becky Buller, Dustbowl Revival, Kelsey Waldon, The Wooks, Driftwood, Snyder Family Band, High Fidelity, Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys and Hogslop String Band.

I am particularly excited to see Scythian, We Banjo 3, Rhiannon Giddens, The SteelDrivers and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band are on tap to be there. Would love to hear who you are interested in seeing and hearing at this festival that is sure to be a good time.

To purchase tickets visit: www.rompfest.com or call (270) 926-7891.


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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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The Steel Wheels to present fifth annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival July 14-16

The Steel Wheels will present the fifth annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival on July 14-16, 2017 — three days, four stages and 40 bands at the beautiful Natural Chimneys Park and Campground in Mt. Solon, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley.

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