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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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Daniel Donato to perform at The Ramkat on Feb. 2

Want to whisk away the winter blues and get a preview to one of Rooster Walk’s artists?

Acclaimed singer/songwriter/guitar virtuoso, Daniel Donato, will perform at The Ramkat on Feb. 2, the good folks at All Eyes Media have announced. (ticket info). Donato is on tour in support of his recently released album, Reflector  (Retrace Music). The 15 songs on this new record are Donato’s first collection of all original songs. They embody the progressing musical space he has created for himself, which he refers to as “cosmic country.” You can listen to the new album on your preferred DSP HERE.

Donato was recently featured in Rolling StoneUPROXXGarden & Gun, and The Bluegrass Situation. The album has also received positive coverage from No DepressionGlide MagazineSlide & Banjo, and Vintage Guitar MagazineMagnet Magazine, and others.      

“A longtime fixture on the stages of Nashville’s Broadway district, Donato has transitioned into a force in the rock and jam-band worlds…” – Rolling Stone

“It’s a feeling pitched between the retro country associated with Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton and the “conversational music” (his term) of the jam world. It comes across with uncommon clarity on Donato’s latest album, ‘Reflector’…” – UPROXX

“’Reflector’ is, literally, a reflection of his well-developed tastes, like a kaleidoscopic color wheel of the music that seasoned him, from the jam-heavy Grateful Dead to the crooning country of Willie Nelson.” – No Depression

“Prepare yourself for one of the most interesting, omnivorous, and immersive experiences that you can discover in music that still claims an allegiance to ‘country.’ It’s Daniel Donato’s Reflector, and it’s the realization of his “cosmic country” dream first envisioned years ago, but finally coming to fruition in its full form now.” – Saving Country Music

Donato  released a music video for the joyful track “Hi-Country.” You can watch it HERE

Donato’s “cosmic country” is a combination of Southern rock, bluegrass, classic country, and honky-tonk with Southern California folk and Northern California musical exploration. His album opener, “Lose Your Mind,” perfectly demonstrates this incredible blend. You can listen to his single “Lose Your Mind” HERE

Reflector possesses such an energetic yet vibey sound that encompasses everything Donato is about. Donato is dedicated to his craft and exemplifies incredible work ethic. It also helps that he is a monster of a guitar player. You can see him in action with Billy Strings on stage at the Double E Performance Center in Vermont HERE.

Reflector was also produced by multi-Grammy Award winning producer/engineer/mixer Vance Powell (White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, Chris Stapleton). 


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Winston-Salem’s Gears & Guitars celebrates 10 years on Aug. 4-6 with Soul Asylum, Cracker and more

Gears and Guitars is back in 2023 for its 10th year! One of the country’s most prestigious cycling events combined with live music for a weekend of exciting racing, local riding and a full weekend of FREE live music from big name bands. Watch the recap of last year’s Gears and Guitars.

Learn more at this link.


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Scythian, Arbo to perform at The Ramkat in Winston-Salem on Oct. 1

Scythian and Arbo

Not going to make it to the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) World of Bluegrass this weekend? Perennial IBMA performers and MerleFest fan favorite Celtic rock band Scythian is set to return to The Ramkat on Oct. 1, 2022, with special guests ARBO, a Cajun swamp rock band. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8.

From Scythian’s website:

“Our triumphant return to The Ramkat will be an absolute knockout party you won’t want to miss! With it being so late in the touring season, we’re looking at this as our last HURRAH in N.C. before the end of the year, which means that this will be the LAST CHANCE TO SEE US IN N.C. THIS YEAR! We also advise that you get your tickets NOW because all the seating and balcony seating is SOLD OUT! Only GA for the floor and balcony is left, so BE QUICK and we’ll see you there!”

Tickets (what are left anyway) are on sale at TheRamkat.com!


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North Carolina Piedmont’s newest music venue, The Ramkat, opens March 9

From the good folks over at the new The Ramkat:

The Ramkat, a new concert hall and community performance space located in downtown Winston-Salem’s Entertainment District, has announced the lineup for its opening weekend along with an initial lineup of concerts in March and April. Tickets for all announced shows are available now online at http://www.theramkat.com.

The Ramkat is a two-level, 11,670-square-foot entertainment venue located at
170 West Ninth St. Continue reading


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Wise Man Brewing celebrates its first anniversary with live music, beer releases

Wise Man Brewing in downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is celebrating its first anniversary with four days of exclusive beer releases (as they should) and live music (because what’s a party without music?). Continue reading


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Caleb Caudle partners with Crossroads at SECCA for ‘Crushed Coins’ official album release party on Feb. 23, 2018

This just in from the good folks over at The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA):

The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) is proud to announce Winston-Salem, North Carolina, native Caleb Caudle will headline Crossroads @ SECCA #020 on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. The show that is set to begin at 7 p.m. will be the official album release party for his new album, “Crushed Coins, on Cornelius Chapel Records.

Opening for Caudle will be Jake Xerxes Fussell. 

Tickets for the show go on sale at 3 p.m. on Dec. 13, 2017. You can read my review of Caudle’s last album release, “Carolina Ghost,” on my Huffington Post blog.

Stay tuned for an exclusive release of one of his upcoming singles from his latest album. Continue reading


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Phuzz Sounds, SECCA team up to host Pine State Holiday music festival on Saturday, Oct. 14

The good folks who put on the Winston-Salem, North Carolina, local music festival Phuzz Phest have teamed up with SECCA to host Pine State Holiday: a day of music and relaxation on the picturesque grounds of the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA).  Continue reading


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Annabelle’s Curse, Will Overman Band to play The Garage on Friday, Aug. 18

Two of my favorite on-the-rise bands — Annabelle’s Curse and Will Overman Band — that hail from opposite ends of Virginia are going to converge at The Garage in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this weekend and I can hardly wait. I hope you will consider joining me for what promises to be a night of fantastic original Southern rock and Americana music. I promised you won’t be disappointed. The show begins at 9 p.m.

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Travis Tritt, Marshall Tucker Band part of 2017 Classic Country Concert Series at Winston-Salem Fairgrounds

As part of the 2017 Classic Country Concert Series, the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds and 98.1 WBRF Classic Country will host country music star Travis Tritt and his full band at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2017, in the Annex Theatre. Doors for the event will open at 6 p.m. The Marshall Tucker Band, or what’s left of it, is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. on June 16, 2017.  Tickets start at $20 for both shows and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.comParking will be $6 in Coliseum Lots.

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SECCA opens ‘SoundSeen: Remix Exhibit’ with free performance by jazz artist Anthony Braxton

From the good folks over at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts (SECCA):

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 6, 2017) — Legendary jazz artist and MacArthur Fellow Anthony Braxton highlights the opening night of SECCA’s SoundSeen:Remix with a live performance at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, in the McChesney Scott Dunn Auditorium.

This is one of only two scheduled performances in the U.S. this year by Braxton, who has released more than 100 albums in his  40-plus year career. Performance and exhibit admission are free.

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