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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival to feature more than 40 artists for FREE on Oct. 1-3

The streets of downtown Raleigh will come alive for the second Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival, presented by PNC, with more than 40 artists performing music on multiple stages along downtown’s Fayetteville Street.

There will be something for nearly every musical taste including bluegrass, folk, country, rock, norteño, gospel and many other genres blended in, “played by real humans who make music about real things,” according to the website. Best of all, it’s FREE! There are no tickets or wristbands needed. Just show up ready to enjoy a great time with friends and family.

Visit the Lineup Page to get to know each artist.

I am particularly looking forward to hearing Caleb Caudle, Hank, Pattie and the Current, The Honeydew Drops, Tan and Sober Gentlemen, Jacob Sharpe and Joseph Terrell of Mipso, Shinyribs, Jim Lauderdale and Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road. I am also looking forward to being introduced to new artists I haven’t had the chance to hear before.

In addition there will be arts vendors, food trucks, an N.C. Family Fun Zone, and more all celebrating roots music and community.

It all starts on Thursday evening, Oct. 1, with a Kickoff Celebration featuring music under the string lights at The Corner on N.C. State’s Centennial Campus. Then, on Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3, downtown Raleigh comes alive with multiple stages of music and a celebration of community that spans several city blocks.

The festival remains free this year thanks to generous sponsors and donors, whose support ensures the music is accessible to everyone.

To see the full artist lineup and schedule and learn more at raleighwideopen.com.

If you go


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13th annual Carolina Bible Camp Bluegrass Festival set for Saturday, Sept. 13

One of the “coolest cats” to ever pick up a banjo will entertain the crowd at the award-winning Carolina Bible Camp Bluegrass Festival on Saturday, Sept. 13, in Mocksville, North Carolina.

Sammy Shelor, winner of the 2011 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass, will headline the festival with his popular group, the Lonesome River Band.

Tickets to Davie County’s Carolina Bible Camp Bluegrass Festival are available online now at www.cbcbluegrass.com. Ticket platform Zeffy makes the process easy. 

The Sept. 13 schedule of bluegrass’s finest also includes:

–        PBS Song of the Mountains host Tim White & Troublesome Hollow

–        Liam Purcell and Cane Mill Road

–        Caroline Owens and New Company

–        The Biscuit Eaters

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