The Grey Eagle proudly welcomes Martha Scanlon back to Asheville.

Martha Scanlan's musical path has been a roundabout and adventurous affair much like the rest of her life. She fell in love with bluegrass and old-time music after traveling out West where she ended up living in Montana and playing music between backcountry trips in the desert as a wilderness guide. After a variety of experiences ranging from studying art and working with troubled youth to playing music on the streets of Eastern Europe she moved to East Tennessee to become immersed in the music of Appalachia and the landscape and culture to which it is so closely tied.

The haunting quality of her voice, unique perspective and poetic imagery of her songs helped to gain national acclaim for the innovative old-time string band, Reeltime Travelers. In their six years of touring they played some of America's most prestigious venues and festivals from the Grand Old Opry to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. After catching the attention of Grammy-winning producers T-Bone Burnett and Bob Neuwirth the group recorded a cut for the soundtrack to Cold Mountain and were featured on the Great High Mountain Tour along with Alison Krauss, Ralph Stanley, and other artists from the “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” and “Cold Mountain” soundtracks.

Martha's songwriting first gained national attention in 2003 at the prestigious Merlefest Chris Austin Songwriting Contest where a panel of judges including Gillian Welch and Jim Lauderdale awarded her first and second place in the bluegrass and country music categories for "Little Bird of Heaven" and "Hallelujah".

The immersion into traditional American music and its expression in an ever-changing cultural landscape seems to be reflected in the songs she writes and the music she plays. Martha's first solo project is produced by and features Dirk Powell along with Levon Helm, members of the bands Ollabelle and Reeltime Travelers.

$8 advance / $10 day of show. 8:30pm.

Advance tickets online.