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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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Joe Newberry and April Verch to bring holiday cheer to Cary Theater on Dec. 14

CARY, NORTH CAROLINA — Growing up, musicians Joe Newberry and April Verch absorbed traditions of home and hearth in his Missouri Ozarks and her Ottawa Valley of Canada.





The holidays have always been a special time of year for both, with the lure of family and friends, festive decorations, gifts under the tree, and always…. music,” a press release states.

So now, each year the duo sets out in a modern day sleigh (with four-wheel drive) to perform their eagerly anticipated holiday tour. Original songs join timeless hymns. Stories warm the heart and give a twinkle to the eye. Lively fiddle and banjo numbers combine with traditional dance steps to illustrate happy times when people made their own fun at the holidays, and all year long. Make your holiday concert list, and check it twice… Newberry and Verch are coming to Cary at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14.

Newberry grew up in a family full of singers and dancers. He took up the guitar and banjo as a teenager and learned fiddle tunes from great Missouri fiddlers. Verch grew up listening to her Dad’s country band play for dances in the Ottawa Valley. She started step dancing at age three and fiddling at age six. Both Newberry & Verch became masters of their traditions and tour the world with their respective bands and projects. Yet they never forget the roots of their music, that connection to the people in the audience, on the dance floor, to the community sparked by a good song.

For these veteran performers who come from distinct traditions and parts of the world, their collaboration is fueled by their kindred passion for bringing people together to celebrate traditional music. Blues and ballads stem into Canadian regional styles and originals. Their voices blend in harmony, their tasteful instrumentals prove that these masters have nothing left to prove, and then their feet kick up the dust in perfect rhythm…and together, they make you remember why this music existed in the first place.

For tickets, which range from $16 to $20, contact the Cary Theater general box office at 919-462-2055 or visit this link.


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Early bird tickets for MerleFest 30th anniversary celebration available through Wednesday, April 26

From the good folks over at MerleFest:

With only one week until the start of MerleFest 2017, presented by Window World, the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, is buzzing with activity. Starting next Thursday, April 27, at 2:30 p.m., and running through Sunday, April 30, an estimated 75,000 participants will gather at this year’s 30th homecoming of musicians and music lovers to celebrate the world renowned MerleFest.

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MerleFest 2017 will feature The Transatlantic Sessions Tour with Jerry Douglas, Aly Bain, James Taylor and more

This just in, from the good folks over at MerleFest:

WILKESBORO, N.C. (March 7, 2017) – MerleFest, presented by Window World, is going international for its 30th celebration by hosting the The Transatlantic Sessions Tour live at this year’s festival. MerleFest 2017 is scheduled for April 27-30 at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

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