The first Bailey Blues and Bluegrass Festival, a music event that’s blue down to its roots, is set from 6-10 p.m. Friday, June 3, at Bailey Park in downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The free event is sponsored by Wake Forest Innovation Quarter and the Blue Ridge Music Center and is open to the public.
Tag Archives: MerleFest
The Honeycutters poised to catch on with fourth studio album release
The Honeycutters may just be the best rock, country roots band out there that you aren’t listening to. That should change with this weekend’s release of the group’s fourth studio album, “On the Ropes,” on Organic Records.
MerleFest fans may remember frontwoman and principal songwriter Amanda Anne Platt from her stint as a finalist in the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest in 2011.
The native of the New York village Hastings on the Hudson moved to Asheville, North Carolina, in January 2007 with the intention of literally making music – in the form of becoming a guitar builder – rather than writing and performing songs. Instead, she found a community of like-minded musicians and the music, well, it just stuck. Like, uhm, honey.
And we’re all better for it. But don’t take my word for it. Listen for yourself.
Find out if the band is coming to a town near you here.
MerleFest’s 29th year wraps on a high note
MerleFest 2016 ended its four-day run today on a high note with the unique musical stylings of Jason Isbell on the Watson Stage. I have so many stories to tell from this year’s festival, but you’ll have to wait a few days for me to process my interview notes. In the meantime, here’s the press release that gives a great synopsis of the weekend from the good folks at MerleFest to tide you over.
Will Overman Band premieres first single off debut album at MerleFest 2016
If you haven’t heard Will Overman Band (WOB), just wait. You will. And you can hear the first single, which is being released on Friday, April 29, at MerleFest exclusively here. From the band’s debut album, the self-titled “Will Overman Band,” the single, “All I Say,” showcases the band’s myriad talents and combines an upbeat tempo that belies the regret-tinged lyrics.
The album is set to be released June 4 at The Southern Cafe and Music Hall in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The band is composed of Will Overman, on guitar and vocals; Daniel McCarthy, guitar; Brittney Wagner on guitar and vocals; J Wilkerson on bass; and Christopher Helms, drums.
Fresh off WOB’s first Northeast tour, you can to hear the band perform live at MerleFest, where it will make its festival debut at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 30, on the Plaza Stage as part of the second annual MerleFest Band Contest. The band also intends to play a lot in the Pickin’ Place, Overman says.According to the website, the music of WOB — call it “amped-up folk rock” — is as energetic as it is passionate. It can be haunting and evocative yet sincere, sweet. Musically and lyrically, the band draws from its Virginia roots, producing a rare combination of enticing harmony and straight-ahead, hard-charging rhythm and riffs.
Fresh off WOB’s first Northeast tour, you can to hear the band perform live at MerleFest, where it will make its festival debut at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 30, on the Plaza Stage as part of the second annual MerleFest Band Contest. The band also intends to play a lot in the Pickin’ Place, Overman says.According to the website, the music of WOB — call it “amped-up folk rock” — is as energetic as it is passionate. It can be haunting and evocative yet sincere, sweet. Musically and lyrically, the band draws from its Virginia roots, producing a rare combination of enticing harmony and straight-ahead, hard-charging rhythm and riffs.
Drawing comparisons to The Avetts and Jason Isbell, the band carries an unwavering commitment to its music — and to its fans. That music and those lyrics, as the Huffington Post wrote, seems to draw “ … from the experiences of someone much older.” Soulful and unforgettable. Addictive and sometimes playful. Meaningful and real. Those factors, plus a transcendent passion and unyielding commitment to craft, are what truly define this rising, must-see group of talented young musicians.
On Huffington Post: MerleFest Band Competition features possible future festival headliners
The following piece also ran on The Huffington Post here.
Headliners such as John Prine, Jason Isbell and John Oates have drawn nearly 80,000 Americana music fans annually to the hills of MerleFest on the campus of Wilkes Community College each April for the past 28 years. But it is the young musicians trying to make their mark who can provide some of the freshest and transcendent moments at this festival founded by the legendary Doc Watson, who called it “traditional-plus” music.
Madison, N.C.’s Courtney Rorrer named finalist in MerleFest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest
For the second year in a row, someone with ties to Rockingham County, North Carolina, is a finalist in MerleFest‘s famed Chris Austin Songwriting Contest.
Courtney Rorrer of Madison and Asa Gravley of Beckley, West Virginia, are finalists in the bluegrass category for their tune, “Midnight Tears,” and will perform Friday, April 29. Last year, Carri Smithey (now of Burlington, N.C., but used to live in Madison), Josh Coe (Saxapahaw, N.C.), Ryan Burgess (Burlington, N.C.) and Keith Ingalls (Burlington, N.C.) were finalists in the country category of the contest for their song “No More.” Continue reading
This is no April Fool’s joke: Will Overman Band, Annabelle’s Curse to perform at Tin Pan on April 1-2
Two of my favorite bands — Will Overman Band and Annabelle’s Curse — are playing at The Tin Pan, 8982 Quioccasin Road ,in Richmond, Virginia, April 1-2. If you’re in the area, you need to buy your tickets now because both shows are sure to sell out.
I discovered both bands at Rooster Walk 7. Annabelle’s Curse is returning to Rooster Walk 8 over Memorial Day and hosting The Howling Craft Beer and Music Festival May 27-28 while WOB is performing at MerleFest and Front Porch Fest.
If you haven’t heard either of these bands play live, you won’t want to miss either one of these shows!
MerleFest adds John Oates to lineup, Donna the Buffalo to host Midnight Jam
MerleFest, slated for April 28–May 1, 2016, announced today John Oates, a legend of American music, will be joining the official 2016 festival lineup as the final headliner. Also announced, Donna the Buffalo will host the much-anticipated Midnight Jam at the Walker Center, and the Jam will be sponsored by The Bluegrass Situation.
On The Huffington Post: Scythian gifts St. Patrick’s Day show to its biggest fans
The following post also ran on The Huffington Post Entertainment Blog here.
If you’re Scythian, a Celtic rock band known for bringing legions of MerleFest fans to their feet since 2007, St. Patrick’s Day is your Super Bowl.
And this one’s big.
Huge.
It’s not a well-paid gig at a club in Manhattan or Washington, D.C., from where they mostly hail.
It’s much bigger than that.
The band will no doubt play to an audience of adoring fans — possibly its biggest, but these fans won’t be paying a dime.
This one is on Scythian, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Black Lillies, Mipso, Scythian to headline Labor Day Appaloosa Festival
The Black Lillies and Mipso are among the headliners at MerleFest favorite Scythian‘s second annual roots music Appaloosa Festival set for Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 3-4, in Front Royal, Virginia, which is about an hour from Washington, D.C., in the stunning Shenandoah Valley. Continue reading
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