musicreporterblog

Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass

Tag Archives: North Carolina


by Leave a comment

Free Concerts on the Creek at Hub RTP to feature Rissi Palmer on Saturday, Nov. 14

Hub RTP is excited to welcome Durham’s Grammy-nominated Rissi Palmer for its FREE monthly Concerts on the Creek mid-day performance at the Hub stage from -5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. The address is 3151 Elion Dr, This is an all ages event and free parking is available.

You can find more info at this link.

Palmer is a prominent figure in both country and Americana music, having performed at prestigious venues such as The White House, the Grand Ole Opry, Lincoln Center and the Apollo Theater, and having appeared on “Good Morning America,” “CBS Mornings,” Entertainment Tonight and the PBS NewsHour.

Last year, Palmer was honored with the ACM Lift Every Voice Award for her advocacy in amplifying underrepresented voices and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in country music. Recommended for fans of The War & Treaty, Joy Clark and Miko Marks.

Free parking is located in the deck across the street at 3150 Elion Drive. When you arrive, walk through the outdoor breezeway to the courtyard and you will see the stage. House music begins at 2:30, with the performance starting at 3 p.m. There will be a brief intermission from 4-4:30 p.m. before the final set plays from 4:30-5:30 p.m.


by Leave a comment

MerleFest unveils initial April 29-May 2, 2027, lineup featuring The Avett Brothers, Gilliam Welch & David Rawlings, Toy Factory Project, Del McCoury@88, Wynonna Judd, Sam Bush, Scythian, Mason Via and many more

From the good folks over at MerleFest:

MerleFest, presented by Window World, has unveiled lineup details for its 2027 event, taking place over four unforgettable days from April 29–May 2 on the campus of Wilkes Community College.

Acclaimed Americana duo Gillian Welch & David Rawlings are set to return, alongside Southern rock supergroup Toy Factory Project, North Carolina’s marquee folk-rock outfit The Avett Brothers and country music queen Wynonna Judd.

Also slated for the festival’s 39th installment is a special MerleFest “Delebration,” Del McCoury@88, honoring the bluegrass patriarch with Del McCoury & The Travelin’ McCourys. The lineup also features legacy pickers Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, The Earls of Leicester, and Alison Brown, along with a parade of on-the-rise ensembles including Mountain Grass Unit, Magoo, The Brudi Brothers and more.

Each year, MerleFest honors the legacy of North Carolina music legends Doc and Merle Watson while celebrating and uplifting the next generation of talent. Its “traditional plus” framework invites curiosity and exploration among performers and attendees alike, creating a festival experience that is always fresh while preserving the soul of what makes MerleFest such a cherished annual tradition. For this year’s Late Night Jam, The Travelin’ McCourys present The Grateful Ball. The Late Night Jam continues to foster the spirit of collaboration, spontaneity, and shared musical discovery that has long defined the MerleFest experience. This separately-ticketed, after-hours event is the ideal nightcap for those looking to witness a night of groundbreaking, “only at MerleFest” moments. Visit merlefest.org/purchase for details and to stay tuned for guest announcements.

MerleFest 2027 will welcome Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Toy Factory Project, The Avett Brothers, Wynonna Judd, Del McCoury@88 – a MerleFest “Delebration,” Mountain Grass Unit, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, The Earls of Leicester, Peter Rowan & The Walls of Time Band, Alison Brown, Magoo, The Brudi Brothers, Jake Shimabukuro, Chatham Rabbits, Chatham County Line, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Altan, Mason Via, Tray Wellington, Slap Dragon, Larry & Joe, Jim Avett, Rev. Robert Jones, Scythian, Donna The Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, Kruger Brothers, The Waybacks, Presley Barker, Andy May, Banknotes, Carol Rifkin, Charles Welch, The InterACTive Theatre of Jef, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Joe Smothers, Josh Goforth, The Knackered Ramblers, Laura Boosinger, The Local Boys, Mark Bumgarner, Mitch Greenhill & Mitch’s Kitchen, Pete Wernick, T Michael Coleman, Tony Williamson, and Wayne Henderson, with additional artists to be announced in the coming weeks.

The WCC Foundation is excited to continue the Silent Auction, featuring a variety of exciting, high-quality items and the convenience of online bidding. Online bidding opens April 15, 2027! Proceeds support the SAGE (Supporting Academic Goals for Education) First Year Experience program. Stay tuned for more details at merlefest.org/silent-auction.

Mega Raffle is back! We’re excited to welcome back the Mega Raffle, with over $120,000 in cash and prizes to be awarded! Tickets go on sale February 8, 2027, and you do not have to be present to win. Proceeds support the SAGE (Supporting Academic Goals for Education) First Year Experience program. Stay tuned for more details at merlefest.org/silent-auction.

MerleFest 2027 tickets are available now. For general admission passes, as well as covered patio seating, reserved seating, camping, parking, and more, please visit merlefest.org/purchase.
MerleFest volunteer applications are now open. As a volunteer, participants will receive free entry to the festival for the entire day of their shift, free parking and shuttle, and 10% discount at River’s Edge Campground. Most importantly, volunteers will be supporting a major fundraiser for the students of Wilkes Community College. Please visit merlefest.org/volunteer to sign up now before the April 10, 2027, deadline.

Apply to be a MerleFest vendor! MerleFest Shoppes and Heritage Craft Vendors are thoughtfully chosen to provide a variety of unique, high-quality goods for every MerleFest fan. Vendor fees include tent, fire extinguisher, tables, chairs, nighttime lighting, 24-hour security, general admission passes, and on-campus parking. It’s a great opportunity with incredible value! Please visit merlefest.org/vendors to apply now before the application window closes on Jan. 15, 2027.

Apply to be a MerleFest food vendor! MerleFest is now accepting applications for food vendors! A limited number of food vendors will be featured in the Shoppes at MerleFest, with vendors carefully selected to offer fans top-quality food and service. Ideal applicants will have a diverse menu that includes traditional items, along with vegetarian, vegan, and/or gluten-free options. Please visit merlefest.org/vendors to apply now before the application window closes on Dec. 1, 2026.

About MerleFest
MerleFest, presented by Window World, was founded in 1988 as a fundraiser for the Garden of the Senses at Wilkes Community College to memorialize world-renowned flatpicker Doc Watson’s late son, Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel, and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock, and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 12 stages during the course of the multi-day event. MerleFest is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.


by Leave a comment

R.W. Shucks Seafood Festival featuring The Big Something is set for Nov. 14, Rives on the Road featuring Tan and Sober Gentlemen on Dec. 12

From the good folks at Rooster Walk + Rives on the Road:

You don’t want to miss the fourth annual RW Shucks Seafood Fest from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, on Pop’s Farm, 675 Hobson Road, Axton, Virginia.

The event combines fresh, delicious seafood, live music, beer, wine and spirits in the beautiful outdoor setting of Pop’s Farm. Oysters will be offered raw, steamed and as shooters. Longfill Grill Food Truck will be featuring a full menu of seafood and non-seafood items. Be sure not to miss Longfin’s decadent crab cakes!

Tickets are on sale now at this link: RW SHUCKS TICKETS

Musical performances by Big Something, Red Panda, and Gabriel Van.

Camping options are available. Parking is free. Kids 12 and younger are free with an admitted adult. Thank you to our event sponsor Brightspeed!

Ticket Options

General Admission
Includes admission to the event, including three sets of live music and access to food and drink vendors. All food will be sold a la carte for GA Admission ticket holders. A limited number of tickets will be sold.


Suck Yeah Admission
Includes all-you-can-eat clam chowder and steamed and raw oysters (while supplies last) and admission to the event, including three sets of live music and access to other food and drink vendors. Longfin Grill and other oyster options (shooters) are NOT included in this ticket. Only steamed and raw oysters, and clam chowder, are included.Tickets for RW Shucks have previously sold out, so don’t delay.



IBMA and MerleFest fans won’t want to miss an evening with the North Carolina-based members of the Tan & Sober Gentlemen on Saturday, Dec. 12. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. show at Forest Park, 1821 Mulberry Road, Martinsville, Virginia. The show is sponsored by Brightspeed.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $20 the day of the show.

TICKETSRSVP/ INVITE FRIENDS

“If hurricanes could play music, they’d sound something like North Carolina’s Tan and Sober Gentlemen… They make music that’s a mix of moonshine and rocket fuel. It’s wild and free bluegrass mated with punk rock. Incorporated with unabashed Gaelic influence, they thrive from a hammer-down style.” –Bristol Herald Courier

.





by Leave a comment

PineCone announces 2027 Down Home Concert Series lineup

From the good folks over at PineCone:
In case you missed it, the lineup for our 2027 Down Home Concert Series has landed, and there’s a lot to like!We’re excited to host eight events that put you up close to world-class music in the Fletcher Opera Theater inside the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh. You’ll experience these shows alongside fellow music lovers, creating community around the songs and stories onstage.Tickets go on sale for PineCone members at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5. Members also get a discount on tickets, as thanks for their yearlong support. If you’d like to become a member, now’s a great time! Find info on pricing and benefits and sign up here. PineCone members will receive a code for early sale access and discounted tickets next week.Tickets will go on sale for the general public at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12.Here’s a look at the performers and dates for the 2027 Down Home Concert Series! All shows start at 7:30 p.m. Visit pinecone.org for more info. Michael Cleveland, Fri Jan 8JANUARY 8: Michael Cleveland
With an encyclopedic memory for melodies and an uncanny intuition for improvisation, Michael Cleveland’s music is both rooted in tradition and fueled by his imagination. He’s added excitement to incredible all-star bluegrass performances and for 20 years has fronted his own band. Come hear the magic of this 12-time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year, National Fiddlers Hall of Famer, and National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellow.Congratulations to Michael Cleveland for winning IBMA’s 2026 Instrumental Recording of the Year award last week for “Big Daddy Rabbit”! Trey Hensley Band, Sat Jan 30JANUARY 30: Trey Hensley Band Grammy winner and reigning two-time IBMA Guitar Player of the Year Trey Hensley is known for his otherworldly guitar playing, jaw-dropping musicianship, and soulful storytelling. Called “a guitar-slinging superhero” by Bluegrass Today, he’s collaborated with Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Taj Mahal, and Tommy Emmanuel — and now fronts his own band of incredible players.Congratulations to Trey Hensley for winning IBMA’s 2026 Song of the Year award last week for “Can’t Outrun the Blues”! Dervish, Fri Mar 12MARCH 12: Dervish
Described by the BBC as “an icon of Irish music,” Dervish has played at festivals from Rio to Glastonbury and includes some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians. Long established as one of the biggest names in Irish music internationally, they’re renowned for live performances that feature dazzling sets of tunes and stunning interpretationsof traditional songs. Dan Tyminski Band, Thu Mar 18MARCH 18: Dan Tyminski Band
Over his three-decade career, Dan Tyminski has left his mark in every corner of modern music. His voice famously accompanies George Clooney’s performance of the Stanley Brothers’ classic song, “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow,” in the film, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and his vocal collaboration with Swedish DJ Avicii on the song “Hey Brother” was a global smash. His diverse solo projects and years of work with Alison Krauss and Union Station have yielded troves of award-winning music and made him a favorite for live audiences in bluegrass and beyond. Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands, Sat Apr 3APRIL 3: Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands
For nearly four decades, Laurie Lewis has gathered fans and honors for her powerful and emotive voice and her versatile, dynamic songwriting. She is a sought-after recording producer and an equally skilled teacher and mentor. While steeped in the bluegrass tradition, her music also reflects influences including old-time, country, Tin Pan Alley, jazz, and early rock and roll.
Yasmin Williams with the Dream Quartet, Fri April 16APRIL 16: Yasmin Williams with The Dream Quartet
Known primarily as a solo performer, innovative guitarist Yasmin Williams is, for the first time in her career, joining forces with a string ensemble to bring new life to her compositions. The Dream Quartet will draw on classical and contemporary influences to chart new paths within rich, exciting compositions from across Williams’ career so far. Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra, Sat May 22MAY 22: Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra
Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra is a seven-piece acoustic band from Oslo, Norway, that has captured hearts in both Europe and the US with their unique blend of bluegrass and Nordic folk — a style they’ve dubbed “Nordicana.” With an instrumental acumen that defines them as musicians with a determined drive and dynamic, the group delivers a fresh take on American roots music wrapped in a finely tuned folk sound. North Carolina Heritage Awards, Fri Jun 18JUNE 18: North Carolina Heritage Awards
Celebrate North Carolina’s rich artistic heritage with a special event honoring the latest recipients of the North Carolina Heritage Award, the state’s highest honor for folk arts. The honorees will share the inspiring stories of their lifelong dedication to their craft through live on-stage interviews, documentary film presentations, musical performances, and a display of artwork.
Beer and Banjos Paranormal Formal
No one does spooky season like Beer and Banjos, and tonight you’re cordially invited to the Beer and Banjos Paranormal Formal! Dress to kill (if you dare) and get ready for a frightful good time with the Beer and Banjos All-Stars at Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard in Raleigh. It’s free and always a ghoulishly good time.Beer and Banjos poster: Paranormal Formal, Tuesday Oct. 27, 6:30-9pm, Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard, Raleigh
PineCone is supported by the City of Raleigh based on recommendations of the City of Raleigh Arts Commission; The United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County; and the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. PineCone is a private, nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to preserving, presenting and promoting traditional forms of music, dance and other folk performing arts.


by Leave a comment

Beer and Banjos features Hilltop Hounds on Tuesday, Oct. 6

The Hilltop Hounds hail from the rolling hills of North Carolina. With a sound that combines traditional country roots with folk, bluegrass and the blues, Hilltop Hounds are sure to get you dancing and singing along.

Beer and Banjos is a free, family-friendly evening of roots music every Tuesday at Raleigh’s Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard. Hosted by the mighty local musicians known collectively as the Beer and Banjos All-Stars, these weekly concerts feature guest musicians and take place on Bowstring’s spacious patio when the weather allows, or inside by the bar when rain, heat, or cold threaten the vibe.

Tips for the musicians are gratefully accepted (look for a helper walking around with a bucket for cash and QR codes for online tips), and don’t forget to check out the merch table. Bowstring serves tasty pizza and other food as well as cold beer and other beverages.

Learn more about Beer and Banjos events statewide here.

If You Go

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6

Time: 6:30-9 p.m.


by Leave a comment

Scythian to perform at Raleigh’s The Rialto on Saturday, Sept. 12

If you have been to MerleFest, you have heard Scythian, who often play three or four sets during the four-day festival held each spring in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. In fact, I have named them the festival’s unofficial house band. So you know you don’t want to miss them when this Virginia-based band makes a stop in the Triangle!

Raleigh’s The Rialto will welcome Scythian on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $41.50 including fees and can be purchased at this link: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/82008413/scythian-raleigh-the-rialto?partner_id=100

Named after Ukrainian nomads, Scythian (sith-ee-yin) plays roots music from Celtic, Eastern European and Appalachian traditions with thunderous energy, technical prowess, and storytelling songwriting, beckoning crowds into a barn-dance, rock concert experience.

You can learn more about them in this article I wrote on my Huffington Post blog: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/scythian-gifts-st-patrick_b_9488940

Nashville’s Music City Roots says Scythian is ‘what happens when rock star charisma meets Celtic dervish fiddling’, and the Washington Post claims “Scythian’s enthusiasm is contagious, and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around or hoisting glasses.” The foursome brings various influences together to create a conglomerate which is technically precise and steeped in various folk traditions. You have to catch the live show to understand why The Camel City Dispatch said of their MerleFest performance: “[Scythian gives] no quarter in their quest to entertain and bring a joy to their music that gives it an irony-free, wide open feel of manic possibility. The playing is technically brilliant, but it is the energy that carries the day.”


by Leave a comment

14th annual Carolina Bible Camp Bluegrass Festival set for Saturday, Sept. 12

The Carolina Bible Camp Bluegrass Festival in Mocksville, North Carolina, was started in 2011 by the Camp’s Board of Directors as a fundraiser for the Camp’s scholarship and capital development funds. It has achieved that goal, operating in the black every year thanks to careful planning and generous stewardship of the festival’s sponsors, organizational team and volunteers.

The festival has also become a way to introduce a larger community to the Camp, and to bring Camp friends and family together for a special annual event.

In 2019, Carolina Country magazine readers voted Carolina Bible Camp Bluegrass Festival the winner of the inaugural “Carolina’s Finest” award for the Best Festival in the state of North Carolina! In 2020, the COVID-19 global pandemic and state restrictions prohibited us from holding the festival. We were more grateful thuan ever to gather together in 2021, and again, we were blessed to win the Carolina Country “Carolina’s Finest” award for Best Festival.

This year’s festival will feature Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, The Biscuit Eaters, Lucas Ross, Ettore Buzzini​ and Blue Diggity.

Advance tickets for the 2026 event are $20 and $25 at the gate. They can be purchased at this link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/carolina-bible-camp-14th-annual-bluegrass-festival

Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

Earl Scruggs Music Festival returns Labor Day Weekend 2026 with The Avett Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass, The Del McCoury Bank, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

It’s almost time! Named the IBMA’s 2025 Event of the Year, Earl Scruggs Music Festival returns Labor Day Weekend to Tryon International in Mill Spring, North Carolina, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside Asheville. Join us for performances by The Avett Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass, The Del McCoury Band, Béla Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart, and more as we honor the enduring legacy of Earl Scruggs & celebrate Appalachian culture.

For tickets and more information, visit https://www.earlscruggsmusicfest.com/2026tickets


by Leave a comment

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


by Leave a comment

22nd Fall Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance set for Oct. 1-4, 2026

The Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance, a collaboration between the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center and the GrassRoots Festival Organization, provides a family-friendly celebration of music, dance, art and education.

Tickets are on sale now for the 22nd Fall Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance set for Oct. 1-4, 2026, in bucolic Chatham County, N.C., about a 30-minute drivewest of Raleigh and east of Greensboro.

This year’s lineup features your host, Donna the Buffalo, along with alt-country sensation Margo Price, Anders Osborne, The Steel Wheels and appropriately, Chatham County Line, among many, many more acts.

On-site camping is available. Learn more at this link.

The Shakori Hills Community Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Make a donation to the SHCAC!

The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival Organization is also a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. Find out more about the GrassRoots Family.