musicreporterblog

Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


Leave a comment

Infamous Stringdusters’ 7th annual The Festy Experience to feature Sam Bush, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lee Ann Womack, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Nicki Bluhm, Jim Lauderdale and many more on Oct. 7-9

The “King of Telluride” has been taking the East Coast by storm in recent years. Sam Bush has been a staple at Merlefest since its inception, but the mandolin virtuoso is no stranger to FloydFest and this spring played Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival for the first time.

Now, on the heels of his newest album release, “Storyman,” he’s headed to The Festy Experience, The Infamous Stringdusters music festival that benefits the Can’d Aid Foundation, set for Oct. 7-9 at the Lockn Festival property in Nelson County, Virginia, located between Charlottesville and Lynchburg.

In addition to Bush, Charlottesville resident Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lee Ann Womack, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Steep Canyon Rangers, the North Mississippi All Stars and Anders Osborne (aka North Mississippi Osborne), are among the acts at the top of the bill for The Festy.

Continue reading


Leave a comment

MerleFest 2016 adds Jason Isbell, Tommy Emmanuel and Mike Farris and The Roseland Rhythm Revue and to lineup

From the folks at MerleFest today:

“MerleFest, presented by Window World and slated for April 28-May 1, 2016, is proud to announce three powerful new additions to the 2016 lineup: breakout Americana star Jason Isbell, legendary Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel and inspiring gospel songster Mike Farris and The Roseland Rhythm Revue. These three new artists join more than 100 other artists already announced, including John Prine, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dave Rawlings Machine, Brandi Carlile, The Wood Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Tim O’Brien, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, Alison Brown, Doug Seegers, Will Overman Band and more! The four-day event, the largest roots and Americana music festival in the nation, takes place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the heart of Appalachia. MerleFest continues the legacy of Doc Watson and is a benefit for the college. This homecoming of roots music artists and fans draws nearly 80,000 participants every year.”

The 2016 lineup is available online at www.MerleFest.org/lineup.

Continue reading


Leave a comment

Red Wing IV Roots Music Festival announces initial lineup

Red Wing Roots Music Festival announced this week the initial lineup for its fourth festival set for July 8-10, 2016, at Natural Chimneys Park  near Staunton, Virginia.
Along with The Steel Wheels, the festival host, the first 10 bands scheduled to perform at the 2016 event are Shovels & RopeSteep Canyon RangersAoife O’DonovanChris SmitherThe Dustbowl RevivalAmy HelmYarnMountain HeartThe Black Lillies and The Hollering Pines.

Continue reading


1 Comment

John Prine, The Wood Brothers among initial MerleFest 2016 lineup

MerleFest fans, the wait is over! According to the following announcement from MerleFest, fans can look forward to hearing headliners John Prine, Dave Rawlings Machine and The Wood Brothers as well as MerleFest favorites Steep Canyon Rangers, Jerry Douglas, Scythian, Donna the Buffalo, The Kruger Brothers and some new acts including the Will Overman Band at MerleFest 2016 on April 28- May 1, 2016. Continue reading


Leave a comment

Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival Poised to Become Premiere Southeast Roots Rock Event

Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival is one of the best up-and-coming events you’ve never heard of.

That’s about to change. With this year’s star-studded roots rock lineup and a new home, you can count on it.

Continue reading


Leave a comment

Steep Canyon Rangers, Marty Stuart headline fifth HoustonFest on May 1-2 in Galax, Va.

GALAX, Va. — Didn’t get enough of Steep Canyon Rangers or Blue Highway at MerleFest 2015? Well, you’re in luck because both bluegrass bands are back in the Piedmont on May 1-2, this time performing at the fifth annual HoustonFest along with Marty Stuart, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Sierra Hull and The Church Sisters, among others. Continue reading


Leave a comment

Blue Ridge Music Center 2015 Concert Season to include Steep Canyon Rangers, Della Mae, Marty Raybon, Steel Wheels and The Lee Boys, among others

Steep Canyon Rangers, Della Mae, Marty Raybon, Steel Wheels and The Lee Boys are just a few of the acts scheduled to appear as part of the Blue Ridge Music Center‘s 2015 Summer Concert Season. In addition, visitors can sit back and listen to regional traditional music each day of the week being played by local Mid-Day Mountain Musicians on the breezeway of the visitors center from noon to 4 p.m.

Continue reading

Rooster Walk 7


Leave a comment

Rooster Walk 7 adds five more bands to lineup including Donna the Buffalo, PBR

Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival has added five more bands to its already impressive lineup for Rooster Walk 7 set for May 21-14 at Pop’s Farm in Axton, Va.  The acts are MerleFest and FloydFest favorites Donna the Buffalo as well as the People’s Blues of Richmond, Stop Light Observations, The Congress and Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos.  Continue reading

Rooster Walk 7


Leave a comment

Yonder Mountain String Band added to Rooster Walk 7 lineup for May 21-24 in Martinsville, Va.

Fans of new grass, bluegrass and Appalachian rock, listen up: The lineup for Rooster Walk 7 set for May 21-24 at Pop’s Farm near Martinsville, Va., keeps getting better. Organizers announced today that Yonder Mountain String Band will headline along with Lake Street Dive, Steep Canyon Rangers, Southern Culture on the Skids, Mountain Heart and Big Daddy Love.

Continue reading


1 Comment

Dwight Yoakam to make first appearance at MerleFest 2015, Steep Canyon Rangers and Shannon Whitworth also added

MerleFest fans: If you have never seen Dwight Yoakam perform live, you are in for a treat at this year’s festival! The good folks over in Wilkesboro just announced that Yoakam will be performing on the Watson stage for the first time. The festival is also welcoming banjo-songstress Shannon Whitworth and perennial faves and N.C. natives Steep Canyon Rangers, who are also schedule to perform at Rooster Walk 7 over Memorial Day weekend in Axton, Va. Continue reading