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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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Tickets on sale now for 32nd annual High Sierra Music Festival on July 4-7, 2024

The initial lineup includes Ziggy Marley, Greensky Bluegrass featuring Holly Bowling, and The Allman Betts Band at High Sierra Music Festival with more (headliners) to come! The 32nd annual event returns to Plumas County Fairgrounds in Quincy, California, on July 4-7.

ON SALE NOW – RV Passes, Parking Passes, FestivALL VIP Packages and everything else you could need to have the time of your life at High Sierra 2024. 

Many of the passes are high demand/low inventory, and do sell out quickly, so be sure to act fast! As with last year, on-site parking passes will be designated by area for Shady Grove, Hillside and Corral Parking.

Visit this link for more info and tickets!


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Greensky Bluegrass is coming to The Ritz in Raleigh on Jan. 18

Photo of Greensky Bluegrass

Greensky Bluegrass began making music in 2000 and stood out for their non-traditional take on bluegrass, where they fused rock and acoustic influences.

Known for their improvisation on stage as well as performing multiple sets at one show, this five-piece band began in Michigan and has since has seen many changes, particularly to their line up. However, what remains the same is their original sound, compelling performances and indisputable passion. As well as their original songs, the band has also covered The Rolling Stones, Prince, Aerosmith and Bruce Springsteen, just to name a few. 

You can check out this unique group at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, at The Ritz in Raleigh. Tickets are $49 for general admission and can be found at this link.


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MerleFest announces final lineup additions for 2020 festival 

This just in from the good folks over at MerleFest:

MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the next round of artist additions for MerleFest 2020, which will be held April 23-26. Greensky Bluegrass, Mavis Staples, Paul Thorn, Cane Mill Road, Sweet Potato Pie, The Barefoot Movement, Nefesh Mountain, and Smitty and the Jumpstarters will be joining the annual homecoming of musicians and music fans on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Greensky Bluegrass: “There’s this great duality to our band,” reflects Greensky Bluegrass mandolinist vocalist and songwriter Paul Hoffman. “We’re existing in a few different places at once. We’re a bluegrass band and a rock band. We’re song-driven and interested in extended improvisation.” Formed in 2000 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Greensky Bluegrass kicked off their career playing living rooms and open mic nights across the Midwest. By 2005, they were touring nationally, and by 2006, they were playing the first in a long series of appearances at the annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Bandmates Hoffman, Bruzza, dobro player Anders Beck, banjoist Michael Arlen Bont, and upright bassist Mike Devol spent most of the following decade on the road, fine-tuning a live show modeled not after the toned-down production of traditional bluegrass music, but the full-on spectacle of rock. Greensky Bluegrass will perform Friday night on the Watson Stage. Continue reading


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Listen Up: Live music opportunities abound for Memorial Day 2018

There are numerous live music festivals and venues throughout North Carolina, Virginia and beyond on tap to help you celebrate the official kickoff of summer over the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend. Following are a few highlights. If I’ve missed one, let me know! Continue reading


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Northwest String Summit celebrates 17th anniversary July 19 – 22, 2018, at Horning’s Hideout near Portland, Oregon

From the good folks at the Northwest String Summit:

PORTLAND, OREGON — The 17th Annual Northwest String Summit (String Summit) is one of the top boutique live music experiences in the country and presents an array of today’s leaders in the Americana, Bluegrass, Indy Rock, and Jam genres. It all happens at the iconic Horning’s Hideout (North Plains, OR) from July 19 – 22, 2018. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, Oregon, Horning’s Hideout, a private family-owned reserve of old-growth trees, wild peacocks, ponds, and campsites, stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country. A family friendly and locally sourced festival, String Summit caps its capacity at 5,000 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festivalgoers at an incredible ticket price. Continue reading


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Nine reasons not to miss Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival over Memorial Day Weekend

Rooster Walk 9 Music and Arts Festival, set for May 25-28 near Martinsville, Virginia, is a week away, the weather forecast is offering blue skies and temps in the 70s and I’d like to suggest you forego that annual Memorial Day trip to the beach with the masses. Instead head to the verdant foothills of southwest Virginia to relax and take advantage of some amazing musical and outdoor offerings. Continue reading


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RW9 band schedule released, ticket prices increase May 1

The ninth iteration of Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival will be held over Memorial Day weekend, May 25 – 28, 2017, at the idyllic Pop’s Farm, overlooking a lake in the countryside of Martinsville, Virginia. Rooster Walk was named one of the Top 5 Music Festivals in Virginia by the Richmond Times-Dispatch in 2016 and it’s one of my personal favorites.

Greensky Bluegrass will headline Rooster Walk 9 with a two-hour set on Saturday night. The Wailers (Reunited!), Anders OsborneAnderson EastMandolin OrangeThe MotetPimps of Joytime, the Marcus King Band and many more will perform over the four-day festival.
The hourly stage schedules for RW9 are set. Check out the Band Schedule Page to see exactly when each of your favorite bands will perform. 

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Yonder Mountain String Band’s 16th Annual Northwest String Summit adds to already impressive lineup

From the good folks over at Northwest String Summit:

Portland, ORThursday, March 23, 2017 The 16th Annual Northwest String Summit (NWSS) presents an array of today’s top live music acts for a blow-out return to Horning’s Hideout (North Plains, OR) from July 13 – 16, 2017. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning’s Hideout stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country; NWSS is the only music offering this year taking place at Horning’s Hideout. A family-friendly and locally sourced festival, NWSS caps its capacity at 5,000 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festivalgoers at an incredible ticket price.

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Greensky Bluegrass, The Wailers (Reunited!) among latest added to Rooster Walk 9 band lineup

This just in from the good folks at Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival:

Progressive stringband Greensky Bluegrass and legendary reunited reggae band The Wailers will top the lineup for the ninth annual Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival, set for May 25-28, 2017 just outside of Martinsville, Virgina. The two bands were announced Tuesday, Jan. 10, along with new additions Anders Osborne, Anderson East, The Motet, Susto, Mission in the Rain, Juliana MacDowell and “artist at large” Josh Shilling.

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FloydFest 16 to welcome Warren Haynes, Gregg Allman Band for first time, tickets increase Jan. 1

This just in from the good folks at FloydFest as it heads toward its 15th run, July 27-31, 2016. FloydFest 16~Dreamweavin’ will host for the first time the Gregg Allman Band and Warren Haynes and his Ashes and Dust tour, among many others. And just in case you haven’t heard, USA Today named FloydFest among its “Top 10 Southern Events” in October: “FloydFest is a world music and art festival that has gained esteem for only selling a limited quantity of tickets. The goal: to provide the best music festival possible. For four days every July near Floyd, Virginia, you can hear music from reggae to Yiddish to Appalachian, and also see arts and crafts, take yoga, hear poetry and storytelling and more. Every year has a unique theme that shapes the offerings.”

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