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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass

Tag Archives: Virginia


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Rooster Walk + Rives on the Road announces three new shows in November, December

Join RoosterWalk and Rives on the Road for a seafood block party on the historic courthouse square in Uptown Martinsville on Saturday, Nov. 25.

The R.W. Shucks Block Party will feature a delightful and delicious array of oysters, seafood, live music and libations from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Oysters will be offered roasted, on the half shell, raw and as shooters. The Longfin Grill Food Truck and Salty’s Lobster Co. Food Truck will augment the menu with additional amazing seafood options. All food will be sold a la carte.

Musical performances by Marvelous Funkshun (delivering a special Jimi Hendrix tribute set) Colby T. Helms & The Virginia Creepers, In The Meantime, The Pirates of the Piedmont, and The Parrots of the Piedmont (offering a Jimmy Buffet tribute).

The event is sponsored by Hooker Furniture and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Tickets are on sale now at this link.

11/25/23 R.W. SHUCKS BLOCK PARTY

RUMOURS – A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE

On Saturday, December 2nd, RUMOURS ATL brings us a perfectly delivered Fleetwood Mac Tribute. Since 2014, Rumours (or Rumours ATL) has set stages ablaze across the U.S. with their scorching Fleetwood Mac renditions. Garnering a reputation as the best Fleetwood Mac tribute band, they’ve captivated audiences internationally, playing top venues and festivals in the US and abroad. With meticulous attention to detail and infectious energy, Rumours sells out venues and leaves fans dancing, singing, and discovering new facets of Fleetwood Mac’s magic at every performance. Believe in miracles and join the unforgettable experience of Rumours. Tickets on sale Thursday, 9/28 at Noon EST.

12/2/23 RUMOURS

SNEEZY W/ LIV SLOAN & THE DIEHARDS

Sneezy brings the party! Join us for a dancy, fun-filled night of music at The TAD Space in Martinsville, VA. Get ready to be blown away by the incredible performances of Sneezy and Liv Sloan & The Diehards. This event promises to be a night filled with laughter, music, and unforgettable moments.

12/9/23 SNEEZY w/ LIV SLOAN & THE DIEHARDS

2023 Rives on the Road Season Passes will be accepted at each of these shows, BUT must be acquired in advance. Every Rives on the Road season pass holder has received an email with their personal code to redeem their tickets for each of these events. Rives on the Road season pass holders must acquire their tickets via Eventbrite by the due date indicated.

Rooster Walk and Rives on the Road

Back in 2016, Rooster Walk Inc., the 501c3 nonprofit company, absorbed a nonprofit named “Arts at the Rives,” and began organizing and promoting concerts at the Rives Theatre in uptown Martinsville. In the fall of 2019, the Rives Theatre tragically caught fire and was a total loss. It has not been rebuilt. To keep the music alive, Rooster Walk Inc., now offers “Rives on the the Road” concerts each year. These “pop-up shows” take place in various venues in the Martinsville-Henry County community, and cover a wide range of genres, from rock and blues to bluegrass, country, jazz and more. Season pass sales have closed… with a record number sold.

RSVP to ROOSTER WALK 14 (May 23-26, 2024)


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19th Richmond Folk Festival kicks off Oct. 13 with Michael Cleveland, Wild Ponies, Wayne Henderson and many more

The 19th Richmond Folk Festival begins Friday, Oct. 13, and runs for three days of a variety of FREE music, food and fun, according to organizers. 

With six stages and nearly 90 performances, many people plan to spend more than one day at the festival. Add in more than 30 food vendors, a crafts marketplace, a Virginia Folklife Area and Stage and one of the most beautiful festival sites in Richmond, and we think you’ll want to go for multiple days to experience as much as possible. And the festival goes on, rain or shine, with several of the stages tented.

Essentials to enhance your visit

Festival Hours

  • Friday, Oct. 13 — 6:30 pm – 10 p.m. 
  • Saturday, Oct. 14 — Noon – 9:30 p.m. 
  • Sunday, Oct. 15 — Noon – 6 p.m.

Performers
Read up on all of the fantastic artists who will perform. With styles ranging from jazz to gospel, Irish, rockabilly, salsa and more, there’s something for everyone to love or learn about.

Performance Schedule
With six stages and more than 90 performances, you’ll want to plan ahead to make sure to get the most out of the festivals. Take a peek now so you can plan ahead!

Donations
This is a LARGE festival with a hefty budget that is supported largely by generous sponsors. However, the festival needs your help to remain FREE and sustainable! There is a suggested donation of $10 per person per day that can be made online HERE, or by finding a volunteer in a bright orange shirt carrying a bright orange bucket at the festival and making a “Drop in the Bucket!” Or, you can text FOLK to 44321 to give from your mobile phone. Thanks for your help in keeping the festival FREE!


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Labor Day 2023 weekend brings a variety of outdoor music festivals to North Carolina, Virginia

Editor’s Note: This story originally ran in the Wake Weekly newspaper at this link.

As summer winds down, Labor Day weekend is heating up with a variety of outdoor music festivals from western North Carolina to Virginia. What better way to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers than hanging out with friends and listening to some old favorites, as well as being introduced to some new artists?

Following are just a few festivals featuring a variety of musical genres and activities to choose from:

The Earl Scruggs Music Festival

The Earl Scruggs Music Festival in Mill Spring, North Carolina, Sept. 1-3, is a celebration of the defining bluegrass banjo player Earl Scruggs. It features about 30 bluegrass, folk and Americana acts on two stages, including newgrass band Into the Fog, which has its roots in Wake Forest, where lead singer and band co-founder Brian Stephenson calls home, and Raleigh’s Tray Wellington Band. Other acts include Emmy Lou Harris, Del McCoury Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Earls of Leicester, Pete Wernick,Greensky Bluegrass, The Jerry Douglas Band, Della Mae, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Zoe and Cloyd, Rissi Palmer, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper and the Jon Stickley Trio. The festival also hosts a collection of food trucks, children’s activities, free horse jumping demonstrations and trail rides for a fee. The festival debuted in 2022 and is a collaboration between the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby and WNCW FM at Isothermal Community College in Rutherfordton. For a schedule and tickets visit earlscruggsmusicfest.com/.

The Happy Valley Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention

The Happy Valley Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention at Jones Farm in Lenoir, North Carolina, is Sept. 1-3 and pays homage to the legends and stories of the Yadkin River Valley. The festival includes 11 categories of competition for old time and bluegrass bands and musicians and featured performances on Sunday, plus children’s activities, food vendors and more. In addition to competitors, artists include William Ritter and Sarah Ogletree, Burnett Sisters Band, Michael Reno Harrell, Strictly Clean and Decent, Rob McHale and Rodney Sutton. The 2023 festival is the 18th and final edition of the event, organizers say. Learn more at happyvalleyfiddlers.org/.

The 12th annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival

The 12th annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival set for Sept. 2-3 in High Point’s Oak Hollow Festival Park is sponsored by The Friends of John Coltrane, which works to preserve and celebrate the life and music of Coltrane and to enrich the lives of others through the introduction of jazz and other musical genres. Artists include Keb’ Mo’, Dave Koz, Maysa, Mr. Sipp, Candy Dulfer, Eric Darius, Norman Brown, Samara Joy, Chucho Valdes, Yellowjackets, Terri Lyne Carrington, Matthew Whitaker, and more. Learn more at coltranejazzfest.com

The 14th annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County

The 14th annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County is set for Sept. 2-3 and celebrates African American culture through art, music, dance, food and community. Local and national musical acts are presented Saturday and Sunday on the main stage in addition to a juried art gallery, craft and food vendors, educational and hands-on activities in the Family Village, and more. The festivities kickoff Friday with Gladys Knight and Eric Benet  performing at the North Carolina Museum of Art. For tickets and more information visit www.aacfestival.org/

ProgDay

ProgDay, the world’s longest-running Progressive Rock Festival, is celebrating its 28th year and is set for Sept. 2-3 at Chapel Hill’s Storybrook Farm. The event will feature artists from all over the world including Karmic Juggernaut, A Light Sleeper, Moon Letters, Perfect, Red Fiction, tu:NER, We Used to Cut the Grass and You Bred Raptors? For tickets visit https://progday.net/.

The 14th annual Front Porch Fest

The 14th annual Front Porch Fest is a family friendly festival set for Aug. 31-Sept. 3 at Spirithaven Farm in Stuart, Virginia. This year’s musical lineup includes Butcher Brown, Jimkata, Dangermuffin, DJ Williams, Sun-Dried Vibes, Cailtin Krisko & The Broadcast, Big Daddy Love, The Plate Scrapers, The Judy Chops, Urban Soil, The Wilson Springs Hotel and many more, according to organizers. In addition to 30-plus bands, Front Porch Fest features an array of children’s activities, yoga, campsite jams, on-site camping, craft brews and foods, and more. For tickets, volunteering, vending and sponsorship opportunities visit frontporchfest.com/

Appaloosa Roots Music Festival

MerleFest’s favorite house band Celtic rockers Scythian hosts Appaloosa Roots Music Festival in Front Royal, Virginia, on Sept. 2-3. The lineup features an exciting mix of artists from various genres including the Triangle’s own Chatham Rabbits, Blue Highway, Screaming Orphans, Carbon Leaf, Christian Lopez and many more. For tickets and more information, visit appaloosafestival.com/


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14th annual Front Porch Fest set for Aug. 31-Sept. 3 in Stuart, Virginia

Labor Day weekend 2023 marks the 14th annual Front Porch Fest. This event is held on the Front Porch of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Patrick County, Virginia, and will take place Aug. 31st – Sep. 3rd, 2023 at Spirithaven Farm. This year’s musical lineup includes Butcher Brown, Jimkata, Dangermuffin, DJ Williams, Sun-Dried Vibes, Cailtin Krisko & The Broadcast, Big Daddy Love, The Plate Scrapers, The Judy Chops, Urban Soil, The Wilson Springs Hotel and many more, according to organizers.

Front Porch Fest is a 4-day family-friendly music festival held in Stuart, Virginia featuring local, regional, and national touring acts. In addition to 30+ bands, Front Porch Fest features an array of children’s activities, yoga, campsite jams, on-site camping, delicious craft brews and foods, and more.

No charge for children 12 years and under, though children are required to have a ticket in their name.

For tickets, volunteering, vending and sponsorship opportunities please visit https://frontporchfest.com/

Front Porch Fest is produced by One Family Productions, a nonprofit working to support community enrichment and growth. Proceeds from this event are donated to local charities such as the Patrick County Food Bank and Caring Hearts Free Clinic of Patrick County and others.

One Family Productions also produces the Patrick County Christmas Parade, First Friday Summer Jam Series and is a co-producer of Bushels & Barrels Local Food, Beer and Wine festival. Learn more at www.onefamilyproductions.org


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Nickel Creek, Margo Price, Bruces Hornsby, Watchhouse, Annabelle’s Curse and many, many more to perform at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion on Sept. 8-10

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival is an electrifying music experience that features the very best roots music. Held annually in September in historic downtown Bristol TN/VA, the three-day music is amped to the beat of Appalachia’s past, present, and future. The Festival digs down deep into the roots of the traditional Appalachian sound and lifts its branches to new heights. It all happens in the heart of the Birthplace of Country Music.

For tickets, to volunteer or get more information, visit https://birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/festival.


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Blue Ridge Music Center presents Doc Watson tribute concert on Saturday, Aug. 19

MerleFest fans listen up: The Blue Ridge Music Center is presenting a tribute to the late, great Doc Watson with “Doc at 100” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, in the outdoor amphitheater just south of Galax, Virginia.

The Music Center is located at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, 30 minutes from Sparta and Mount Airy, North Carolina.

According to the Erwin Record, “Doc at 100” explores the history and legacy of Doc Watson, who was born in Deep Gap, North Carolina, in 1923, and went on to become one of the most influential acoustic guitar players in the world of folk music. Hosted by author Ted Olson, the concert program celebrates the anniversary of what would have been Doc Watson’s 100th birthday and honors his life and legacy with performances, stories and songs by artists who performed with him, who were profoundly influenced by his music and who called him a friend.

“Doc at 100” includes T. Michael Coleman and Jack Lawrence, who performed, recorded and toured with Doc longer than any other musicians he worked with. Joining them are fellow guitarists Wayne Henderson and Jack Hinshelwood, who were both heavily impacted by Doc’s music through his many recordings and performances.

T. Michael Coleman toured with Doc and Merle Watson from 1974 to 1986 and continued recording with Doc after Merle’s death. Coleman rejoined him on the road, along with David Holt, during the final years of Doc’s life. Over the many years of traveling and playing with Doc, he amassed a treasure trove of stories as well as music.

Go to this link for tickets and to learn more about Saturday’s event.


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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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Catch Sam Bush, Annabelle’s Curse at ‘Farm and Fun Time’ variety show on March 16 at Paramount Bristol

Hosted by Kris Truelsen and his house band Bill and the Belles, “Farm and Fun Time” is recorded for broadcast television on Blue Ridge PBS, East Tennessee PBS and PBS North Carolina

Sam Bush
There was only one prize-winning teenager carrying stones big enough to say thanks, but no thanks to Roy Acuff. Only one son of Kentucky finding a light of inspiration from Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys and catching a fire from Bob Marley and The Wailers. Only one progressive hippie allying with like-minded conspirators, rolling out the New Grass revolution, and then leaving the genre’s torch-bearing band behind as it reached its commercial peak.

There is only one consensus pick of peers and predecessors, of the traditionalists, the rebels, and the next gen devotees. Music’s ultimate inside outsider. Or is it outside insider? There is only one Sam Bush.

In 2009, the Americana Music Association awarded Bush the Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist. Punch Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, and Greensky Bluegrass are just a few present-day bluegrass vanguards among so many musicians he’s influenced. His performances are annual highlights of the festival circuit, with Bush’s joyous perennial appearances at the town’s famed bluegrass fest earning him the title, “King of Telluride.”

Annabelle’s Curse

Electrified Appalachian folk band Annabelle’s Curse has gathered quite the following in the mid-Atlantic region and beyond with a reputation for captivating, high-energy shows. After more than a decade together, the band has become a staple at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and tickets for their performances are always in high demand. Annabelle’s Curse makes its first appearance on Farm and Fun Time for this special Paramount Bristol edition of the program. A great venue in which to experience the music of this original and captivating act. 

Bill and the Belles
Based in Johnson City, Tennessee, Farm and Fun Time house band Bill and the Belles is known for combining a stringband format with their signature harmonies, candid songwriting, and pop sensibilities. Composed of Kris Truelsen on guitar, fiddler Kalia Yeagle, banjo/banjo-uke player Aidan VanSuetendael, and bassist Andrew Small, the group has a knack for saying sad things with a bit of an ironic smirk and revels in the in-between.




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RoosterWalk 13 announces initial musical lineup for Memorial Day Weekend 2023

Tickets for the 13th annual Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival on May 25-28, 2023, are officially on sale at www.RoosterWalk.com! Grab yours today to get the cheapest prices of the year for this outdoor family friendly festival at Pop’s Farm just outside of Martinsville, Virginia.

Festival organizers have announced the first 16 bands including headliners progressive jamgrass rockers Greensky Bluegrass. Other artists join the initial Memorial Day weekend band lineup include Marshall Tucker Band, Kitchen Dwellers, Trouble No More, Doom Flamingo, Kitchen Dwellers, Yarn, Neighbor, Mike & The Moonpies, Crawford & Power, Sol Driven Train, The Wilson Springs Hotel, Isaac Hadden Organ Trio, Sneezy, TC Carter Band, Big Fat Gap and Pirates of the Piedmont.

More than 30 additional bands will be added to the lineup in the coming weeks and months, organizers said in a press release.

Tickets for Rooster Walk 13 went on sale on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at the newly redesigned http://www.roosterwalk.com, which also features all the information needed to plan for an amazing experience: band bios and music, ticket descriptions, festival experiences, frequently asked questions, a venue map and more.

The festival will take place Thursday-Sunday of Memorial Day weekend in the rolling foothills surrounding Martinsville. Rooster Walk is a four-day festival celebrating music, art and the great outdoors at the idyllic Pop’s Farm venue. With roughly 50 bands performing on six different stages, an amazing roster of stellar music steers the Rooster Walk experience. 

In addition to approximately 80 sets of live music, the family-friendly Rooster Walk will offer a wide variety of kids’ activities, craft beer, great food, arts and numerous opportunities to enjoy Virginia’s great outdoors with kayak river floats, bike rides, yoga, a disc golf course and beautiful on-site camping.

Rooster Walk has been named one of the Top 5 festivals in the state by the Richmond-Times Dispatch. It also was voted the region’s Most Creative Charitable Event by readers of Virginia Living Magazine for three consecutive years. The festival was created in memory of late Martinsville natives Edwin “The Rooster” Penn and Walker Shank, who graduated from Martinsville High School in 2000.

A portion of proceeds from the festival will be donated to local and regional charities, including Rooster Walk’s own Penn-Shank Memorial Endowment Scholarship Fund for students at Martinsville High School, and the Rooster Walk Music Instrument Program for public band programs in the local city and county school systems.

The festival is produced by Rooster Walk Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting music, arts and education in its home of Martinsville-Henry County. Since 2009, Rooster Walk Inc. has donated more than $270,000 to local and regional charities.

Head on over to the website to get more info, updates, buy tickets or volunteer at www.roosterwalk.com.


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New release by Annabelle’s Curse reflects our current reality

I don’t know about you, but I turn to art — music, literature, poetry — when I need to escape and my need for escapism is strong at the moment.

If there was ever a song that addresses what’s happening now — nearly 200,000 deaths as a result of the global pandemic and its subsequent destruction of the world economy — it’s a new tune by one of my favorite bands, Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia-based Annabelle’s Curse, staples at the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, frequent performers at Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival and a runner-up at FloydFest’s On the Rise Competition, just to name a few.

The band is releasing “Bailout” today. In their words, the song has multiple meanings:  “It addresses the isolation, division and distraction of the current era through a metaphor of a sinking ship and a struggling relationship. It also has political statements laced throughout the final verses.”

The crazy thing about “Bailout” is that it was written long before any of us had heard of COVID-19, coronavirus, “social distancing” or the “new normal” — two phrases I personally hope will soon disappear from our collective vocabularies. 

I talked to Zack Edwards, one of the band’s co-founders, earlier this week and he said at the heart of this complex song, written by another band co-founder Tim Kilbourne, is the double entendre of “dealing with political bailouts as well as dealing with relationships and maintaining them despite going through troubles. We were talking about how weird it is that everyone is getting stimulus checks when the song is being released.”

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