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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass

Tag Archives: Sweet Potato Pie


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2022 N.C. State Fair Folk Festival features some of state’s top musical talent

The N.C. State Fair has a tradition of featuring some of the state’s most talented artists and this year is no exception.

For 2022, the N.C. State Fair Folk Festival has moved to Heritage Circle next to the historic church. Talented musicians from across North Carolina feature performances ranging from old-time bluegrass music to folk and Americana. 

I am looking forward to hearing some of my personal favorites —
Into the Fog, Big Daddy Love, The Barefoot Movement, Violet Bell, Abigail Dowd — as well as being introduced to new talent such as Sweet Potato Pie, Russ Thompson, Jarrett Raymond and Dawn Landes, among others.

HERITAGE CIRCLE STAGE

 Thursday, October 13
 1 p.m.
3 p.m.
5 p.m.
6:30 p.m.		SPP Sweet Potato Pie All-female bluegrass band blends Americana, country, and gospel into their classic sound 
  Friday, October 14
 10 a.m.
12 p.m.		Russ Russ Thompson Folk and Americana singer-songwriter out of Greensboro  
 4 p.m.
6 p.m.
8 p.m.		BDL Big Daddy Love Winston-Salem’s purveyors of Appalachian rock,
bluegrass, and psychedelic jams 
 Saturday, October 15
 10 a.m.
12 p.m.		Jarrett Jarrett Raymond Wilmington-based folk singer-songwriter
and 1st Place winner at NC Dogwood Festival
 2 p.m.
4 p.m.
6 p.m.
8 p.m.		Ages Past Ages Past “Traditional with a twist” bluegrass from Western NC
 Sunday, October 16
 10 a.m.
12 p.m.		Chris Chris McGinnis Sultry, salty, and deeply rooted folk music out of Morganton, NC 
 2 p.m.
4 p.m.
6 p.m.
8 p.m.		John Jon Shain & F.J. Ventre Blues, jazz, and folk from these gifted Durham scene mainstays 
 Monday, October 17
 11 a.m.
1 p.m.
3 p.m.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.		Sideline Sideline Pickin’ and grinnin’ on these bluegrass classics and original compositions from some of the capital city’s finest 
 Tuesday, October 18
 11 a.m.
1 p.m.
3 p.m.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.		Into the Fog Into The Fog Adventurous genre-jumping newgrass from
Raleigh-by-way-of-Wilmington 
 Wednesday, October 19
 11 a.m.
1 p.m.
3 p.m.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.		Holland The Holland Brothers Old-school country and country-blues from the Piedmont duo
 Thursday, October 20
 11 a.m.
1 p.m.
3 p.m.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.		Barefoot The Barefoot Movement Americana and bluegrass quartet originating from Granville County
 Friday, October 21
 10 a.m.
12 p.m.		David David & Kolby Bluegrass, gospel and country music duo from Greensboro 
 2 p.m.
4 p.m.
6 p.m.
8 p.m.		Violet Violet Bell Delicated progressive folk duo from Chapel Hill 
 Saturday, October 22
 10 a.m.
12 p.m.		Abigail Abigail Dowd Greensboro’s folk singer-songwriter known for her vivid lyrics and unique classical influenced guitar style 
 2 p.m.
4 p.m.
6 p.m.
8 p.m.		Grassomatic  The Grassomatics Bluegrass and more out of the capital city
 Sunday, October 23
 10 a.m.
12 p.m.		Dawn Dawn Landes Folk and Americana-pop songwriting
from the Chapel Hill musician
 2 p.m.
4 p.m.
6 p.m.
8 p.m.		Carolina Line Carolina Line Bluegrass Bluegrass and country straight out of Southport/Oak Island, NC 
   
  


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MerleFest 2021 announces full lineup

MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the full lineup for MerleFest 2021, which will take place Sept. 16-19 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, according to a press release from IVPR.

The following is MerleFest’s complete list of performers including the previously announced headliners:
Sturgill Simpson, Tedeschi Trucks, Melissa Etheridge, Mavis Staples, Margo Price, LeAnn Rimes, Shovels & Rope, Balsam Range, Amythyst Kiah, JOHNNYSWIM, The Milk Carton Kids, We Banjo 3, Adam Traum, Banknotes, Bill and the Belles, Brittney Spencer, Cane Mill Road, Carol Rifkin, Charles Welch, Charley Crockett, Chatham Rabbits, Cordovas, Creole Stomp with Dennis Stroughmatt, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Donna the Buffalo, Happy Traum, Hogslop String Band, Iron Horse Bluegrass, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Jim Lauderdale, Jody Carroll, Joe Smothers, Joe Troop (of Che Apalache), John Cowan, Kelsey Waldon, Kruger Brothers, Laura Boosinger, Mark Bumgarner, Mary Flower, Mitch Greenhill & String Madness, Moore Brothers, Nefesh Mountain, Oliver Hazard, One Fret Over, Paul Thorn, Pete & Joan Wernick, Peter Rowan & Free Mexican Airforce with Los Texmaniacs, Piedmont Bluz, Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Presley Barker, Rev. Robert Jones, Robbie Fulks, Roy Book Binder, Sam Bush Band, Sam Williams, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Scythian, Shinyribs, Sierra Ferrell, Smitty and the Jumpstarters, Sweet Potato Pie, T. Michael Coleman, Terrapin Creek, The Barefoot Movement, The Cleverlys, The InterACTive Theatre of Jef, The Local Boys, The Waybacks, Tommy Emmanuel, Tony Williamson, Wayne Henderson, Wyld Fern, Yasmin Williams and Zoe & Cloyd.

This lineup of world-class bands and artists will be joining the annual homecoming of musicians and music fans. 

MerleFest tickets will go on sale on June 10. More information can be found at merlefest.org.
MerleFest, presented by Window World, would also like to remind potential volunteers that the volunteer application period is now open and the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (CASC) is accepting submissions until June 15. Information on both of these can be found at www.merlefest.org.


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MerleFest announces final lineup additions for 2020 festival 

This just in from the good folks over at MerleFest:

MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the next round of artist additions for MerleFest 2020, which will be held April 23-26. Greensky Bluegrass, Mavis Staples, Paul Thorn, Cane Mill Road, Sweet Potato Pie, The Barefoot Movement, Nefesh Mountain, and Smitty and the Jumpstarters will be joining the annual homecoming of musicians and music fans on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Greensky Bluegrass: “There’s this great duality to our band,” reflects Greensky Bluegrass mandolinist vocalist and songwriter Paul Hoffman. “We’re existing in a few different places at once. We’re a bluegrass band and a rock band. We’re song-driven and interested in extended improvisation.” Formed in 2000 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Greensky Bluegrass kicked off their career playing living rooms and open mic nights across the Midwest. By 2005, they were touring nationally, and by 2006, they were playing the first in a long series of appearances at the annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Bandmates Hoffman, Bruzza, dobro player Anders Beck, banjoist Michael Arlen Bont, and upright bassist Mike Devol spent most of the following decade on the road, fine-tuning a live show modeled not after the toned-down production of traditional bluegrass music, but the full-on spectacle of rock. Greensky Bluegrass will perform Friday night on the Watson Stage. Continue reading →