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Tag Archives: Red Wing Roots Music Festival


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Rooster Walk, Front Porch Fest, LEAF Global Arts Retreat named among 2026 ‘Best of the Blue Ridge’ winners


Official award announcement for Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s 16th annual “Best of the Blue Ridge” Awards

Wondering what the top trails are in the Blue Ridge region? Or which music festival is the best? Well, the readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors have spoken. 

Last October, the publication’s readers nominated their favorite outdoor businesses, events, food/drinks, and destinations in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, and then voted to pick the top winners. This year the magazine received over 200,000 total votes in 51 categories.

“We are touched that so many businesses and attractions in Brevard and Transylvania County have been recognized with annual Best of the Blue Ridge awards by the readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine,” ransylvania County Tourism Executive Director Clark Lovelace told the magazine. “From Sliding Rock to Pisgah Climbing School to Davidson River Outfitters to DD Bullwinkel’s Outdoors, and more, it is a testament to the incredible outdoor paradise and friendly faces that we have in our community. We invite and welcome all to experience the magic of our destination.”

The Best of the Blue Ridge awards are the most well-known outdoor awards in the Southeast. The winners each receive a winner seal to place in their windows and on digital and printed materials.

Winners will be featured in the January/February 2026 issue of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. Visit the link HERE to view the full list of winners and runners-up.

Blue Ridge Outdoors would like to thank everyone who participated in the nomination and voting processes for this year’s contest, and give congratulations to all winners, runners-up, and nominees.

Best Music Festival
Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival, Martinsville, Va.
Great line-ups and intimate, tight-knit vibes characterize this enduring jam-friendly fest held every t Memorial Day weekend at the scenic Pop’s Farm in Martinsville, Va. Organizers already announced this year’s roster of bands, so get ready for sets from Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Mountain Grass Unit, Eggy, and moe. – J.F.

Runners Up
FloydFest – Festival Park, Va.
DelFest – Cumberland, Md. (tie)
Red Wing Roots Music Festival – Mt. Solon, Va. (tie)

Events & Races

Best Family Friendly Festival
Front Porch Fest – Stuart, Va.
Front Porch Fest started as a low-key gathering for family and friends, and it maintains that atmosphere when it takes place every year at the scenic Spirithaven Farm in the Blue Ridge foothills of Patrick County, Va. But while the event keep its downhome vibe, it attracts top regional artists in jam, roots, and bluegrass music like Larry Keel and Big Daddy Love. Look out for this year’s lineup in the coming months. – J.F.

Runners Up
Go Outside Festival – Roanoke, Va.
Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance – Pittsboro, N.C.

Best Unique Festival
LEAF Global Arts Retreat – Black Mountain, N.C.
LEAF Global Arts Retreat is an eclectic spring festival in the mountains of western North Carolina that blends a diverse roster of roots music acts from around the world with a variety of healing arts and cultural workshops, all taking place on the scenic grounds of Lake Eden. Acts at last year’s event ranged from Appalachian tunesmith Tyler Ramsey to New Orleans funk band Dumpstaphunk to the traditional Ugandan artist Chinobay. Look for this year’s dates and line-up to be announced soon. – J.F.

Runners Up
Appalachian Trail Days Festival – Damascus, Va.
Highland County Maple Festival – Monterey, Va.

About Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine

For 30 years, Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine has been the definitive guide to all things outdoors in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Distributed from Pennsylvania to Georgia, the publication’s award-winning writers cover the region’s best destinations for adventure, as well as the latest outdoor recreation trends, gear, and culture.


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The Steel Wheels go ‘Sideways’ with new album

Virginia string band The Steel Wheels have expanded their sound on the new album, “Sideways,” while at the same time sticking to their bluegrass roots.

Released Feb. 9, the album’s title track begins with the clawhammer banjo then builds, as many of the band’s songs do, into something more raucous that includes drums and colorful electric guitar textures.

“It’s beautiful and crushing to be alive sometimes,” band leader Trent Wagler said in a statement. “We aren’t here to sing songs that only cut one way — but if they do, they’ll cut sideways.”

But don’t take our words for it, check out the title track at this link: https://youtu.be/vZStXW1cNBY

The Steel Wheels enlisted producer Sam Kassirer, who’s known for his work with Lake Street Dive, Langhorne Slim and Josh Ritter, among others, to help create “Sideways.”

The band is currently touring in support of the album, after stopping in Elkin earlier this month and at the Salvage Station in Asheville on March 2 and the Broadberry in Richmond on March 27.

The group is the host band of the annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival in Mt. Solon, Virginia, set for June 21-23. The fest’s impressive lineup includes Kurt Vile, Bonny Light Horseman, Sierra Hull, Brent Cobb and Pokey LaFarge and many others. For more info and tickets, click here.


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2024 Red Wing Roots Music Festival announces the full artist line up for the 11th annual festival


From the good folks at Red Wing: Red Wing Roots Music Festival is excited to announce the full line up of
artists scheduled to perform at the 11th annual music festival, taking place June 21-23, 2024, at
Natural Chimneys Park in Mount Solon, Virginia.
Along with festival hosts and local favorites, The Steel Wheels, the list of festival headliners
contains many artists new to the Red Wing stage, including Kurt Vile & The Violators, Bonny
Light Horseman, Brent Cobb, Lee Fields, Mapache, Tuba Skinny and Rose City Band. Fifty
artists are scheduled to appear across five stages during the three-day event, with festival
favorites such as Sierra Hull, Pokey Lafarge, The Brothers Comatose, Amy Helm and Lindsay
Lou. View the full line up at www.redwingroots.com/2024-line-up/.
Since 2013, Red Wing has strived to offer patrons an opportunity to explore the many sounds of
roots music. “The term ‘Roots Music’ conveys both the depth of our American musical traditions,
like folk, blues, Cajun, old-time and bluegrass, and the breadth of its current iterations. It is the
celebration of the American songbook, past and present,” said Jeremiah Jenkins, co-founder and
managing partner.
Red Wing embodies both great music and opportunities to engage the great outdoors of Augusta
County. The festival partners with local organizations to offer biking, hiking, group runs, and
yoga beneath the rock towers at Natural Chimneys Park. For avid cyclists, a Saturday morning
ride to Reddish Knob allows for a mountain top celebration with stunning views of the
Shenandoah Valley.
As always, Red Wing will host the region’s finest food vendors, including options for craft beer,
cider, and wine in the Blue Mountain Beer Gardens. There are also more than 20 craft vendors
offering an array of products such as clothing, jewelry, art, flowers and more. Shady Grove, a
shaded activity zone located near the Chimneys, features a climbing wall, organized and
informal games, slack lines, and a mist pavilion for cooling down during the hot summer days
for attendees of all ages.
On-site camping has long been a popular aspect of the festival. While several camping passes
have already sold out, great options remain for tent camping, small RV/car camping and Red
Wing Glamping, a luxury tenting option. Currently three-day festival tickets are on sale and moving
quickly. Single day tickets will be made available for purchase later in the spring.
For tickets and more information, visit www.redwingroots.com.


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Donna the Buffalo, The Steel Wheels to perform at Carolina Theatre in Durham on Thursday, Jan. 18

Donna The Buffalo & The Steel Wheels 2024 Tour comes to the Carolina Theatre of Durham on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.

Tickets to see Donna The Buffalo & The Steel Wheels in Durham are on sale at the Carolina Theatre box office and the venue’s website.

According to the Carolina Theatre’s website, Donna the Buffalo offers everything you want in a roots band — songs that matter, a groove that makes you dance, an audience that spans generations, and a musical voice that evokes a sense of community. The band has become a lifestyle for its members and audiences who gather at the countless festivals they perform at across the country, including the band’s own festival, the Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival in Trumansburg, New York. 

The Steel Wheels, known for their rootsy brand of Americana, also gathers their fans at their own festival, the Red Wing Roots Music Festival. The festival, a weekend-long celebration of music, community, and the beautiful Shenandoah Valley allows The Steel Wheels to showcase their music informed by traditional sounds from the Virginia mountains where the band was formed. 

About The Carolina Theatre of Durham

Carolina Theatre of Durham is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which manages the city-owned Carolina Theatre at 309 W. Morgan Street, Durham, NC 27701. The Carolina Theatre of Durham is dedicated to presenting vibrant, thought-provoking film and live performances that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of downtown Durham and the Triangle Region. Visit carolinatheatre.org for more information. 


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Red Wing Roots Music Festival announces early bird ticket launch on Dec. 5

Now that it is November, Early Bird Launch for festival tickets and camping is right around the corner! On Tuesday, December 5th at 10am, 3-day Tickets and Camping for the 11th annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival will open!Add the Early Bird Launch to the calendar now and watch for an email with all the launch details in the coming weeks. If you’re new to the launch, it is helpful to know that popular camping options often sell out in seconds. It is best to not only determine what option is ideal for you, but to also create a solid back up plan when your first choice is not available. Get ready… it all begins in just a few weeks!Red Wing XI will take place June 21-23 at Natural Chimneys Park in Mt. Solon, VA.


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The Steel Wheels present 10th annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival on June 23-25, 2023

The Steel Wheels will present the 10th annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival at the beautiful Natural Chimneys Park and Campground in Mt. Solon, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The towering limestone chimneys provide a spectacular backdrop for you to lounge in the Music Meadow listening to great music in the great outdoors.

For three days, the campground is transformed into five stages hosting more than 50 musical acts including Old Crow Medicine Show, Robert Randolph Band, Watchhouse, Sierra Ferrell, Madison Cunningham, The Suffers, Marc Broussard, Festival Hosts – The Steel Wheels, The Lil Smokies, John Craigie, SCYTHIAN, Larry Keel Experience, Peter One, Andrew Marlin, Melissa Carper, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Miko Marks, Miss Tess, Goodnight, Texas, Michaela Anne, John Reischman & The Jaybirds, Alisa Amador, Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms Country band, The Arcadian Wild, Damn Tall Buildings, Hubby Jenkins, Sam Burchfield & The Scoundrels, Tray Wellington, The Honey Dewdrops, Maya de Vitry, The Revelers, The Slocan Ramblers, Two Runner, The Foreign Landers, Chamomile & Whiskey, The Hypochondriacs, Willie Stratton, The Faux Paws, The Judy Chops, Palmyra, Ragged Mountain String Band, The Wilson Springs Hotel, The Fly Birds, Charlie & The 45s, Danny Knicely with Chao Tian, The Currys, Who Shot John, Song Kitchen, Corrie Lynn Green, Amy Martin, Graham Stone and Rebecca Porter.

In addition there will be myriad food vendors and chances to run, bike and hike on site.

For tickets, volunteer opportunities and more information, visit redwingroots.com


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Early bird launch day for RedWing X set for Dec. 6

Tickets and camping sales are a whirlwind on Early Bird launch day set for Dec. 6 beginning at 10 a.m. for the 10th annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival.

Here are a few reminders before it all begins: We have only 1,000 Early Bird tickets and a limited number of Premium RV Campsites available. (Only one Premium campsite per order.) These two hot items move fast! As soon as the Early Bird tickets run out, Tier 2 tickets will automatically open. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out all of the great camping options before tomorrow. We can’t wait to see you in June!
Each year the festival runs with the help of a fantastic group of volunteers! We would love to have you join us this summer. Learn more about volunteer opportunities for the 10th annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival. Volunteer applications open tomorrow! 

Visit https://www.redwingroots.com/ to buy tickets or sign up to volunteer.


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Eighth annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival announces full lineup

Photo of the members of The Steel Wheels posing in a record store


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The Steel Wheels head to Rooster Walk 11, The Rooster’s Wife for the holiday weekend

The Steel Wheels are having a double rooster of a holiday weekend.

First up, they are set to perform on Saturday at the 11th annual Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival in Axton, Virginia. And on Sunday the string band from Virginia is heading to The Rooster’s Wife to perform in Aberdeen, North Carolina.

It’s the first time the band will perform at either venue, according to Trent Wagler, the band’s founder and frontman, who plays guitar and banjo. Continue reading →


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The Judy Chops share the love this summer with latest album release

One of my favorite places to discover new music is at festivals like this week’s Red Wing Roots Music Festival in Mt. Solon, Virginia. And three years ago, one of the acts my husband and I were lucky to find was The Judy Chops who hail from the nearby Shenandoah Valley. Continue reading →