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Tag Archives: North Carolina


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MerleFest 2024 lineup to include Old Crow Medicine Show, Turnpike Troubadours, The Teskey Brothers, Nickel Creek, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, and many more

From the good folks at MerleFest:

MerleFest, presented by Window World, has announced the initial lineup for its 36th annual event, taking place April 25-28, 2024, on the campus of Wilkes Community College. Leading the breadth of can’t-miss performances this year are Grammy-winning rogue-folk ensemble Old Crow Medicine Show (celebrating both their 25th anniversary and nearly 25 years since their MerleFest debut in 2000), Red Dirt stalwarts Turnpike Troubadours, decorated blues-rock duo The Teskey Brothers, and recently reunited bluegrass sensation Nickel Creek. MerleFest favorites Steep Canyon Rangers, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, The Earls of Leicester, and more are also set to appear. View the initial lineup below. Additional artists to be announced in the coming weeks.

MerleFest 2024 tickets are available now. For general admission passes, as well as patio seating, reserved seating, camping, parking, and more, please visit merlefest.org/purchase.

MerleFest 2024 will welcome Old Crow Medicine Show, Turnpike Troubadours, The Teskey Brothers, Nickel Creek, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, The Earls of Leicester, Shinyribs, Peter Rowan, Scythian, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, Kruger Brothers, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Chatham County Line, Chatham Rabbits, John McEuen, Willi Carlisle, Adeem the Artist, The Sensational Barnes Brothers, The Waybacks, Alexa Rose, Andy May, Ashes & Arrows, B. Townes, Banknotes, Buffalo Nichols, Carol Rifkin, Charles Welch, Flattop, Goldpine, Gravity Check Juggling, The InterACTive Theater of Jef, Jack Lawrence, Jake Kohn, Jeff Little Trio, JigJam, Joe Smothers, Josh Goforth, Kyshona, Laura Boosinger, The Local Boys, Mark Bumgarner, Mitch Greenhill & Mitch’s Kitchen, Nefesh Mountain, Palmyra, Pete & Joan Wernick, Presley Barker, Roy Book Binder, The Silent Comedy, T. Michael Coleman, Them Coulee Boys, Tony Williamson, Uwade, and Wayne Henderson. For artist performance dates, visit merlefest.org/lineup.

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% off camping at River’s Edge Campground. Most importantly, volunteers will be supporting a major fundraiser for Wilkes Community College. Please visit merlefest.org/volunteer to sign up before the April 13th deadline.

Applications to be a MerleFest vendor are also open. Vendors are carefully selected to provide a variety of quality and unique goods for every MerleFest fan. Included in the vendor fee is the cost of your tent, tent setup, fire extinguisher, gutters, table, chairs, lightbulb for nighttime illumination, on-campus security, as well as general admission passes for the entire festival and one on-campus parking pass. Simply put, it’s a great deal! Please visit merlefest.org/vendors to apply now before the application window closes on January 15th.


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MerleFest to announce 2024 lineup on Nov. 14

The initial 2024 MerleFest lineup is coming Nov. 14, 2023, at 10 a.m. EST! Please sign up for the festival newsletter to get the lineup delivered to you first. You can also follow MerleFest on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram to get lineup news.

Stay tuned – good things are coming your way!


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Earl Scruggs Center presents ‘Remembering Earl’ benefit concert on Saturday, Jan. 13

With its 10th anniversary approaching, the Earl Scruggs Center is proud to announce the return of its annual Remembering Earl benefit concert, taking place Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 at Malcolm Brown Auditorium in Shelby, North Carolina. Featuring GRAMMY-winning bluegrass ensemble The Travelin’ McCourys, internationally-esteemed banjoist Tony Trischka and unrivaled dobro master Jerry Douglas, the forthcoming celebration will both honor the legacy of Earl Scruggs –– a Cleveland County-born bluegrass pioneer whose innovative three-finger banjo technique is now an industry standard –– and illuminate the lasting influence of his contributions to American music. General Admission and VIP tickets are on sale now, with proceeds supporting the Earl Scruggs Center and its ongoing educational initiatives. 

Founded in 2014, the Earl Scruggs Center boasts an immersive, all ages museum and multipurpose event space which plays host to a variety of programming year-round. In addition to its unique display of permanent exhibits, the Scruggs Center also regularly features a number of rotating presentations that further explore Earl Scruggs’ comprehensive career, personal history, and cultural impact. In deference to Earl’s 100th birthday occurring January 6, the Scruggs Center has joined forces with Tony Trischka to unveil a new exhibit which will examine the banjoist’s early life from birth until his post-WWII pursuit of a professional music career in 1945. The grand opening of this exhibit is due Jan. 13, in correspondence with the Remembering Earl concert, and kicks off a series of special events spanning the year as a tribute to these milestone anniversaries.

Tickets to Earl Scruggs Center Presents – Remembering Earl Benefit are on sale now. VIP packages include access to an encore after party taking place at the Earl Scruggs Center following the show. For more information, visit www.earlscruggscenter.org. 

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Earl Scruggs Center Presents – Remembering Earl Benefit Concert

WHEN: Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 6:00 PM (ET)

WHERE: Malcolm Brown Auditorium (230 E. Dixon Boulevard)

TICKETS: $30 – $150

TICKET LINK: bit.ly/RememberingEarl24 


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Will Overman, Crawford & Power bring the sounds of Virginia to The Pour House on Sunday, Nov. 12

Don’t have plans for Sunday night in downtown Raleigh? Now you do because you don’t want to miss the following performances at The Pour House on Nov. 12 from Virginia country rockers Will Overman and Crawford & Power.

Virginia native singer-songwriter Will Overman‘s music has been described as alternative country, Americana, Southern rock and folk rock among others. I first discovered Overman at Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival in 2015 when he was a junior majoring in sociology at the University of Virginia. At the time I described his music as someone whose songs seem to be drawn from the experiences of someone much older. In 2017, I wrote about him and his band here in The Huffington Post here and here.

Fast forward to 2023. Overman is now living in Nashville and has just released his latest EP titled, “Live From Virginia.”  Despite the move to Music City, his music is still a dynamic and nostalgic ode to his time in central Virginia and you don’t want to miss the chance to hear this former “The Voice” contestant perform live.

Armed with a powerful voice and powerful convictions, Overman is slowly but surely building a name for himself performing throughout the east coast at venues and festivals such as (The Jefferson Theater, Fall for Greenville, The Basement) and supporting artists like (Joe Pug, Christian Lopez, Town Mountain, Grady Spencer & the Work, Wheelwright, etc.). Regardless of whether you get a first listen at the next show or song on shuffle, you can be sure that it won’t be long before you know his songs by heart.

Virginia natives Crawford & Power are making waves within the country music scene with their unique sound. Authentically southern, Jake Crawford’s powerful vocal blended with a modern approach to the Dobro from Ethan Power, create a brand of country that has been lauded as a breath of fresh air to the genre.

The duo have already opened for a variety of artists including The Marshall Tucker Band, Willie Nelson, Travis Tritt, The Charlie Daniels Band, Cody Johnson, Luke Combs, 38 Special, Gary Allan, Jerry Douglas and many other major acts. 


With the help of their debut EP, “Play a Hank Jr. Song,” the duo have quickly eclipsed over 5 million on-demand streams. C&P followed up their debut release with many single releases between 2019-2021 highlighted by “She Liked to Get High” & “Letting You Go.” Crawford & Power are spending time in the studio with Producer Grady Saxman, and just released their new EP, “Bring it On Home,” on Sept. 30.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased this link.


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Wake Forest Listening Room reopens for local musicians, audiences

Editor’s Note: This article was first published in The Wake Weekly here.

Listen up: The Wake Forest Listening Room is back and ready for musicians and audiences.

Started in 2017, the Wake Forest Listening Room hosted a series of performances featuring local and regional original musicians.

The owners state on the website the main intent behind the listening room was to give artists a “sacred space” where their music could be focused on by the audience with no distractions such as sports on TV or loud conversations.

“The series found a permanent home downstairs from Sugar Magnolia Cafe, where we hosted more than 300 performances before COVID shut us down in late 2021. In October 2023, we’re re-opening in the new space next door to our independent Wake Forest bookstore, Page 158 Books.”

Continue reading →


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2023 IBMA Industry Awards announced

Recognizing those in the bluegrass community who work diligently to promote the genre, award-winning bass player Missy Raines served as emcee for the 2023 IBMA Industry Awards, which was sponsored by the California Bluegrass Association and publishers of the “Bluegrass Breakdown” newsletter.

“I have come to every single IBMA event and this one is dear to my heart,” Raines said as she kicked off Thursday’s luncheon and awards ceremony at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Continue reading →


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International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) seeks new venue for 2025, announces 2023 Momentum Award winners

The annual event has made Raleigh its home since 2013

As the World of Bluegrass festival kicks off its 11th year in Downtown Raleigh this week, the organization behind the event says 2024 will be its final year in the city.

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) will no longer hold its five-day conference and festival in Raleigh beginning in 2025, organizers announced Wednesday following the IBMA 2023 Momentum Awards luncheon.

While the event has been a big driver of tourism and economic activity downtown since 2013, its numbers have fallen sharply since the pandemic. Raleigh officials say the plan is to replace the event with a new festival with an expanded scope.

The IBMA’s board of directors is conducting a site search and will announce a new host city by the end of the year.

In the meantime, organizers of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)’s World of Bluegrass, taking place Sept. 26-30, 2023, in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, say they are looking forward to a “normal” year after surviving two hurricanes and a pandemic over the past 11 years the festival has been held in the state’s capital.

This year’s weeklong bluegrass conference and festival offers both ticketed performances at Red Hat Amphitheater, the Raleigh Convention Center, the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts and other venues scattered throughout downtown as well as five additional free StreetFest Stages during WideOpen Bluegrass on Friday, Sept. 29-30. 

The 11th annual event kicked off Tuesday with the annual Bluegrass Ramble Showcase and Business Conference. The award-winning band Special Consensus along with special guests launched the musical performances on Tuesday evening at the Lincoln Theatre.

“When the festival is in town every third person has a fiddle, guitar or banjo on their back,” said David Brower, festival producer and executive director of PineCone, the Raleigh-based non-profit that helps IBMA produce the festival. “It’s one of the best times of the year in downtown Raleigh.”

Bluegrass music’s self-described biggest event of the year is set to run in Raleigh through 2024 after which it will move on to a yet undisclosed location, organizers said during Wednesday’s Momentum Awards luncheon, sponsored by Campbell University School of Law. For the 11th year, PNC Bank returns as the presenting sponsor of IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC.

The 2023 winners of the Momentum Awards are: 

Band of the Year – Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band of California

Vocalist of the Year – Carley Arrowood-Thrailkill

Instrumentalists of the Year – Bass player Maddie Dalton of Sister Sadie and Resophonic Guitar and Banjo player Gaven Largent of East Nash Grass

Mentor of the Year – Dan Boner, artist, director and professor at Eastern Tennessee State University’s Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies and IBMA Board Chair

Momentum Industry Involvement Award – Matt Hutchinson, host/producer of Bluegrass Jam Along podcast

The Industry Awards and the 34th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Show, presented by Yamaha, will be announced on Thursday, Sept. 28, with hosts Ketch Secor and Molly Tuttle.

The Main Stage performances at Red Hat Amphitheater for this year’s festival will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The daily lineup for the Main Stage performances at Red Hat Amphitheater includes:

Friday, Sept. 29

The Del McCoury Band

Mighty Poplar

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

AJ Lee & Blue Summit

Kids on Bluegrass

Saturday, Sept. 30 

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway

Kruger Brothers play Doc Watson (with special guest Jerry Douglas)

The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys (with special guest Bobby Osborne)

Jake Blount, Kaia Kater & Tray Wellington

Missy Raines & Allegheny (with special guest Alison Brown)

“We are proud that IBMA Bluegrass Live! continues to provide stellar bluegrass music to more fans than any festival in the world,” said IBMA Interim Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “It is truly a celebration of our great music! The lineup on this year’s main stage at the Red Hat Amphitheater is an exciting mix of Hall of Famers and some of the most dynamic and creative artists in bluegrass. Don’t miss these unique and incredible performances!” 

Brower added, “There’s a little something for everyone. The main stage at Red Hat Amphitheater has multiple Hall of Fame members, a brand-new super group, hot rising stars and a celebration of 100 years of Doc Watson. And then wait until folks see the lineup for the StreetFest stages that will line the streets of downtown Raleigh. You’re gonna be able to walk around and celebrate where we’ve been as a genre and at the same time get a sneak peek of where we might be headed.”

ABOUT IBMA

IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC is part of the five-day IBMA World of Bluegrass event, billed “The Most Important Week in Bluegrass,” which also includes the IBMA Business Conference, the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble showcase series and the 34th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards. Tickets and hotel reservations are open now for the general public. More information is available at the IBMA World of Bluegrass website.


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Carolina Indie Fest returns to Sanford on Sept. 29-30

From the good folks at Carolina Indie Fest:

Carolina Indie Fest returns Friday, September 29th and Saturday, September 30th with ten bands, fistfuls of food trucks, dozens upon dozens of crafty vendors, new beer releases and a surprise or two to tickle your fancy.  Admission is free thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.

For the uninitiated, Carolina Indie Fest is a celebration of independent music with ten bands performing all original music over two days in a festival atmosphere.  The stage is sited in the rear parking lot of Hugger Mugger Brewing (229 Wicker Street) in downtown Sanford and the vendors and food trucks spill into the adjacent public parking lot above the beer garden and (new this year) onto the parking deck attached to the brewery.  Bring a lawn chair and grab the best seat in the house early – the music starts at 5pm on Friday, Sept 29 and 3pm on Saturday, Sept 30. 

Music – Here’s the music lineup – click on the name of the band to be directed to one of the places you can find their music streaming.

Performing Friday, Sept 29th
5pm – Jeremiah McKinley Band
6:15pm – Heat Preacher
7:30pm – Gooseberry Jam
8:45pm – Cliff Wheeler Band

Performing Saturday, Sept 30th
3pm – Oort Patrol
4:15pm – Shirlette Ammons
5:30pm – Farewell Friend
6:45pm – Kara Grainger
8pm – Reese McHenry
9:15pm – Skylar Gudasz

Food – Many of our guests and attendees are wondering about the food options – don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!  Friday night we have Bella Nonna Handcrafted Italian, Smokehouse Bandits, Tacos El Primo, Umami & Bomba$$ Sandwich.  Saturday night our food trucks include Dubz Grub, Alkaline Bites, The Blue Window, Flat Drum & Empanadas RD. 

Sweets – There’s also a bevvy of sweets options including Millie’s Mama Bakes who will have their trailer and all the gourmet cookies, Sandra’s Bakery has an “Indie Fest Meltdown” doughnut baked with Hugger Mugger Brewing‘s Chocolate Factory Meltdown Milk Chocolate Imperial Stout and pretzels for those yearning an an Octoberfest option.  Sunset Slush of the Pines is serving Italian ices both Friday and Saturday.  Hook and Kee Creations, winner of last year’s banana pudding competition at the annual Brews, Blues and BBQ event, will be here Friday as will Pink Flower Bakery.

Beer & More – Every year we have a fest beer release – this Indie Fest’s beer release is a Belgian peach witt (wheat) beer.  We save prior year Indie Fest beers to re-release and this year’s Belgian peach witt will be side-by-side with our September 2022 Vintage Ale called Annika’s & our May 2023 Indie Fest release which was a Blackberry Kolsch named Whoa Blackberry Bramble Lam.  Sanford’s own Family Mobile Veterinary Clinic is the generous Indie Fest sponsor of all three beers.  Of course we have 18 of our own beers produced on site as well as a selection of ciders, wines and craft sodas.

Indie Fest Merch – We have Carolina Indie Fest shirts and really cool long sleeved, light weight hoodies for sale at the back bar in the Hugger Mugger Brewing beer hall.  There may be some additional glassware and stickers available here and there.  Be on the lookout for the first ever appearance of Indie Man!  

Staying Updated – We post info on parking and other “day of” type items on the Carolina Indie Fest website.  The band lineup and news from weeks leading up to the event can all be found there.  We’ll post more timely matters on the Carolina Indie Fest Facebook page.  This looks to be another great festival, go ahead and block out those two days on your calendar and bring a lawn chair to settle in and enjoy some great music.  If you made it this far into our guide you’re a real trooper – peace love and rock n roll!

Photo of Into the Fog


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IBMA Bluegrass Ramble 2023 features Into the Fog, Violet Bell, Hank, Pattie, & The Current, GrassStreet and many more

The International Bluegrass Music Association’s Official Bluegrass Ramble Showcases are the premier platform for introducing talent and new music to the bluegrass community during IBMA World of Bluegrass and this year is no exception. The event takes place at venues scattered throughout downtown Raleigh on Sept. 26–28, 2023. Each selected showcase act will perform at least twice during the week — typically once during the IBMA Business Conference and once at an IBMA Bluegrass Ramble venue.

Thousands of bluegrass fans are expected to fill six venues over three nights to catch the newest in bluegrass music. If you want to hear the next upcoming bluegrass stars, you won’t want to miss the following shows.

Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased at this link.

SCHEDULE

Tuesday, September 26

RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER ROOM 304
7:00PM Backline
7:35PM Sequoia Rose
8:10PM Buster Sledge
8:45PM Alex Leach
9:20PM Swamptooth
9:55PM DownRiver Collective
10:30PM Thomas Cassell
11:05PM Golden Shoals

RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER ROOM 306
7:00PM Sicard Hollow
7:35PM Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run
8:10PM Grain Thief
8:45PM Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light
9:20PM The High and Wides
9:55PM Magpie the Band
10:30PM Remedy Tree
11:05PM Wyatt Ellis

JIMMY V’s – SHERATON (420 FAYETTEVILLE ST)
7:00PM J.M. Clifford
8:00PM Lori King & Junction 63
9:00PM The Ruta Beggars
10:00PM Prairie Wildfire

THE LINCOLN THEATRE (126 E CABARRUS ST)
7:00PM Country Gongbang (International Band Performance Grant Recipient)
8:00PM Violet Bell
9:00PM Seth Mulder & Midnight Run
10:00PM Arkansauce

THE POUR HOUSE (224 S BLOUNT ST)
7:00PM Into the Fog
8:00PM The Faux Paws
9:00PM Taff Rapids Stringband
10:00PM Sicard Hollow

RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER BALLROOM AB
7:00PM The Tennessee Bluegrass Band
8:00PM Mild Goose Chase
9:00PM U.S. Navy Band Country Current

Wednesday, September 27

RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER ROOM 304
7:00PM Seth Mulder & Midnight Run
7:35PM The Ruta Beggars
8:10PM J.M. Clifford
8:45PM Mild Goose Chase
9:20PM Taff Rapids Stringband
9:55PM The Faux Paws
10:30PM Lori King & Junction 63
11:05PM Corner House

RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER ROOM 306
7:35PM Prairie Wildfire
8:10PM U.S. Navy Band Country Current
8:45PM Arkansauce
9:20PM Into the Fog
9:55PM The Tennessee Bluegrass Band
10:30PM Country Gongbang (International Band Performance Grant Recipient)
11:05PM Violet Bell

JIMMY V’s – SHERATON (420 FAYETTEVILLE ST)
7:00PM Buster Sledge
8:00PM Thomas Cassell
9:00PM The High and Wides
10:00PM Swamptooth

THE LINCOLN THEATRE (126 E CABARRUS ST)
7:00PM Wyatt Ellis
8:00PM Remedy Tree
9:00PM DownRiver Collective
10:00PM Grain Thief

THE POUR HOUSE (224 S BLOUNT ST)
7:00PM Golden Shoals
8:00PM Sequoia Rose
9:00PM Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light
10:00PM Alex Leach

RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER BALLROOM AB
7:00PM Corner House
8:00PM Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run
9:00PM Magpie the Band
10:00PM Backline

Thursday, September 28

BEER & BANJOS IBMA WORLD OF BLUEGRASS EDITION
VARIOUS VENUES
7PM-11PM

JIMMY V’S – SHERATON (420 FAYETTEVILLE ST)
7:00PM Nixon, Blevins, and Gage
8:00PM River Ridge
9:00PM The Eastside Ramblers
10:00 Cuttin Grass

THE LINCOLN THEATRE (126 E CABARRUS ST)
6:00PM The Holland Brothers
7:00PM GrassStreet
8:00PM Hank, Pattie, & The Current

RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER BALLROOM AB
7:00PM The Loblollies
8:00PM Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road
9:00PM Turkey Hill
10:00PM Jake Goforth Band

THE POUR HOUSE (224 S BLOUNT ST)
7:00PM Jack Devereux Band
8:00PM Nu-Blu
9:00PM Wildwood Sirens
10:00PM Wyldwood Stringband
11:00PM Into the Fog

*lineup subject to change


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19th annual Fall Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance set for Oct. 5-8 in Chatham County

It’s less than a month when we all can spread our wings together again at the 19th Annual Fall Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance! This fall’s event hosted by Donna the Buffalo features the incomporable Mavis Staples, Tan and Sober Gentlemen and Big Daddy Love just to name a few!

The Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance is a collaboration between the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center and the GrassRoots Festival Organization, providing a family-friendly celebration of music, dance, art and education. Activities for all ages include yoga classes, sustainability discussions, food vendors, local beverages, demonstrations, workshops and much more! There are a variety of camp site options on a bucolic 72-acre site in Pittsboro, North Carolina.

Single-Day, Four-Day and Camping Passes available at ShakoriHillsGrassRoots.org

Interested in volunteering? Check out this link.