musicreporterblog

Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


Leave a comment

Rooster Walk 15 Music & Arts Festival announces full lineup for May 22-25, ticket prices increase Feb. 1

Joining the Lineup: Lettuce, Keller Williams, Ghost-Note, Dangermuffin, Ashes & Arrows, a stellar cast of Artists at Large, plus 15 more bands! Discounted tickets available until Feb. 1!

From the good folks at Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival:

The countdown to the 15th annual Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival is on, and organizers are thrilled to announce the final lineup, featuring funk legends Lettuce, festival icon Keller Williams, and 26 more incredible acts, officially completing the band lineup! The festival will take place May 22-25, 2025, at the scenic Pop’s Farm in Martinsville, Virginia.

Lettuce will return for their third all-time performance at Rooster Walk, following standout shows at RW12 and their headline set at RW8. Meanwhile, Keller Williams, a long-time fan favorite, will bring his unique energy to the festival for the very first time, performing a special 90-minute funk set backed by the all-star Rooster Walk House Band.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the stellar lineup we’ve put together for Rooster Walk 15,” said Johnny Buck, executive director of Rooster Walk Inc. “Lettuce has always been a crowd favorite, and to finally have Keller Williams joining us, an artist that’s been on the wish list since our very first festival. This festival is truly going to be something special.”

Along with Lettuce and Keller Williams, the festival will showcase Ghost-Note (Dallas, TX), a band that features many of Snarky Puppy’s members; they are sure to bring their jazz-funk wizardry to Rooster Walk’s late-night stages. Dangermuffin (Folly Beach, SC) will return for their fifth appearance at the festival, while Ashes & Arrows, the breakout Asheville, NC band recently featured on America’s Got Talent, will make its Rooster Walk debut.

The Artists at Large for this year’s festival are a dream team of musical talent, joining forces to create unforgettable moments throughout the weekend. The all-star cast that will bring an unprecedented level of musicianship to the Rooster Walk House Band performances includes: Ron Holloway (sax, Baltimore, MD), Jeff Sipe (drums, Black Mountain, NC), Josh Shilling (keys & vocals, Nashville, TN), Isaac Hadden (guitar / Asheville, NC) / Keyser George (guitar / Nashville, TN); Wallace Mullinax (guitar/ Charleston, SC); Florencia Rusinol (vocals & guitar / Johnson City, TN); and Jake Dempsey (bass / Roanoke, VA).

Other additions to the lineup include: Dale and the ZDubs (reggae / Maryland); Erin & The Wildfire (R&B / Charlottesville VA); Arts Fishing Club (Americana / Appleton, Wisc.); Underground Springhouse (jamband / Athens, GA); Mighty Joshua (reggae / Richmond, VA); Hustle Souls (soul / Asheville, N.C.); Deau Eyes (indy / Richmond, VA); Future Joy (future-funk / CO & FL); Striking Copper (roots / Wilmington, N.C.); Winyah (rock / Charleston, S.C.); Bella Moulden (indy / Buffalo, N.Y.); Woody Woodworth & The Piners (country / Richmond, VA); Rebecca Porter (country / Harrisonburg, VA); Jules & The Agreeables (rock / Loudon County, VA); and magician Hunter Rhodes (magic / Richmond, VA).

Continue reading


Leave a comment

Yarn, Josh Shilling and Lizzy Ross to headline annual Arts at the Rives opening party on Jan. 25

Despite the total and tragic loss of the historic Rives Theatre in a fire in February 2019, the show must go on and the Arts at the Rives opening party concert promises to be as entertaining as ever!

This show will take place at Forest Park Country Club in Martinsville, Virginia. For $125 per ticket, you will receive entry to this show, which includes open bar (beer, wine, liquor) and catered dinner, as well as a Season Pass to the 2020 Rives On The Road concert series. The concert series will feature at least 4 more shows over the course of 2020. The revenue generated by Season Pass sales helps us offer world-class programming throughout the 2020 year. There is no better way you can support live music in MHC than attending this show!

Party-only tickets are available now for $75. These tickets include the concert, open bar and catered dinner at the show.

Dinner menu: Salad, lasagna (meat and veggie options), grilled chicken breast, red potatoes, green beans, corn, rolls, two deserts.

Roots rockers Yarn will join forces with piano ace Josh Shilling and vocalist extraordinaire Lizzy Ross (Violet Bell), as well as a full horn section, to recreate the music of Van Morrison. This same set was a huge hit at the 11th annual Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival in May 2019.



Leave a comment

Rooster Walk 11 band lineup completed with additions of Sam Bush, Steep Canyon Rangers, many more

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

MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA — Sam Bush Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sierra Hull and Ghost Light are among the final list of bands announced for the 11th annual Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival. Other new additions include:  The Steel Wheels, The Black Lillies, ‘Yarn Morrison’ (Yarn’s tribute to Van Morrison), Runaway Gin, The Trongone Band, Sanctum Sully, Disco Risqué, Kate Rhudy, Adar, The Folly, Chamomile & Whiskey, Prosperity’s Folly, The Drove, and MHC Praise Band.

Continue reading


Leave a comment

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


Leave a comment

Brewster Walk 2017 to feature Yarn, Josh Shilling, Mission in the Rain and Jason Springs Band on Saturday, Sept. 9

The third annual Brewster Walk Craft Beer Festival & Concerts will take place Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in uptown Martinsville, Virginia, in front of the historic Rives Theatre, on the 200 block of East Church Street.

The event will feature live performances from Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival perennial fan favorite Yarn, Mission in the Rain (a Jerry Garcia Band tribute set) and the Jason Springs Band of Danville as well as more than 60 craft beers. Special guest and Bassett-native Josh Shilling of Mountain Heart fame will sit-in with Yarn as well as Mission in the Rain. Continue reading


Leave a comment

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


Leave a comment

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.

Continue reading


Leave a comment

On Huffington Post: Don’t miss Josh Shilling and Mountain Heart online and on the Grand Ole Opry

The following post also ran on The Huffington Post here.

If you weren’t at Pop’s Farm in Axton, Virginia, the home of Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival, under the stars on Saturday, Aug. 20, you missed an incredible high-energy performance by the incomparable Southwest Virginia native Josh Shilling and his band, Mountain Heart.

Continue reading


Leave a comment

Mountain Heart, Annabelle’s Curse to perform at Pop’s Farm on Saturday, Aug. 20

Fans of Mountain Heart and Annabelle’s Curse can catch both acts at a special show on Saturday, Aug. 20, at Pop’s Farm, the home of Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival.

Continue reading


Leave a comment

Welcome 2016 with music instead of overhyped NYE party

I ran across this meme the other day compliments of a friend, who shared it on social media:

184508_10153226908656674_9082557813925008837_n

Admit it, we’ve all done it. This year, however, will be different. If you choose to go out, you’ll welcome the new year by listening to one of your favorite bands with like-minded fans — instead of attending some overpriced and ultimately disappointing party.

The Avett Brothers were trailblazers 10 years ago with a NYE show at Charlotte’s Neighborhood Theatre. Now, everyone seems to be getting in on the idea.

Following is just a smattering of the NYE concert options happening in the Southeast and beyond. If you know of a show worth noting I failed to mention, please add to the comments. Enjoy and be safe out there! This also ran on The Huffington Post here. Continue reading