Drayton Farley
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY DRAYTON FARLEY Alabama native Drayton Farley has as honest a voice as you’re likely to hear in this burgeoning scene of country, folk, roots, and Americana music we’re all wrapped up in. With songs and lyrics pulled from real life experience, there’s a grounded feeling to his stories, a confessional quality that rings true to those who know. His voice fills the room like cigarette smoke, curling into every corner of you, with a fine grit rasp that smooths out every rough edge. It lingers hours, days, after you’ve left the bar – turns of phrase that tumble around your mind, bittersweet and familiar. He sings as deeply about the love he holds as the love he’s lost and there’s something so broken-in and comfortable about that Southern inflection that every song feels like coming home. “Lyrics that are immediately reminiscent of the humor and subtlety of John Prine, the directness and honesty of Bob Dylan, and the everyman gravity of Pete Seeger, Farley firmly establishes himself as one of the great American voices in folk and Americana music.” – Americana Highways JAMES TUCKER
Chaparelle
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY CHAPARELLE In a harmonious union, singer-songwriters Zella Day and Jesse Woods come together to reveal their highly anticipated collaboration, “Chaparelle”. Esteemed for their exceptional vocal prowess and celebrated contributions to their distinct genres, Zella and Jesse craft a musical tapestry that harkens back to legendary duets of icons like George and Tammy or Gram and Emmylou. This partnership channels the enduring allure of Country music’s golden age, weaving a melodic narrative that resonates with themes of love and the indomitable Texan essence.
Carrie Morrison Album Release Show
ALL AGES SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE CARRIE MORRISON Carrie Morrison, a talented singer-songwriter based in Brevard, North Carolina, is celebrated for her heartfelt lyrics and melodic compositions that blend folk, pop, Americana, and Celtic influences. Known for her warm, expressive voice and intricate piano arrangements, Carrie has become a beloved figure in the Western North Carolina music scene. Her songs often explore themes of love, resilience, and the beauty of everyday life, drawing listeners into her deeply personal narratives. With several albums and EPs to her name, Carrie has performed at prominent venues and events across the region, captivating audiences with her authenticity and artistry. Her work reflects a profound connection to her Kentucky and Appalachian roots, infused with universal appeal. Carrie is also a keyboardist and vocalist in The Andrew Thelston Band, a rock/funk regional favorite This performance features new albums “Balladeer” (produced by Chris Rosser/Hollow Reed Arts) and “Crosswalk” (Clever Dog Records and Abbey Road), both released in 2025. JONLYN LINVILLE Jonlyn found her love for music at an early age and has never drifted from that love. Her main instrument is violin and she frequently performs with her husband Cody Hale. Jonlyn recently began her venture as a solo artist and performs her original songs on piano and guitar. Her original music explores different stages of her life journey.
Three Wheels Turning
ALL AGES SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE THREE WHEELS TURNING Three Wheels Turning is a female-powered folk trio based in Port Townsend, Washington that synthesizes the skills and tunes of multi-instrumentalist songwriters Micaela Kingslight, Samara Jade and Aimée Ringle. Together, these three seasoned artists create a rich and compelling braid of voices, genres, styles and insights – gleaned from their individual paths and brought to bear through their collaboration and friendship. Instrumental prowess, unexpected electric guitar rockouts and seamless blending of harmonies define their ear-catching sound, but it is their spirits, hearts, and commitment to growth, healing, and loving the earth that shine through the music, alchemizing their signature musical medicine. OMAR RUIZ-LOPEZ Omar Ruiz-Lopez – Durham, NC (Roots / Progressive Folk / Old-time / Americana) is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and educator based in Durham, NC. Proficient in violin, viola, guitar, and mandolin, he has been a vital part of the NC Triangle music scene for over a decade. After a stint in Nashville (2023–2025), he recorded and performed with artists like GRAMMY-nominated War and Treaty, Lizzie No, and Langhorne Slim, and co-wrote with Rachel Baiman and GRAMMY-winner Melody Walker. He is currently working on an EP with Willa Frank (Paper Wings) and a full-length album with Rachel Baiman producing.
Vincent Neil Emerson
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY VINCENT NEIL EMERSON Vincent Neil Emerson has become a staple among folk and country music fans nationwide, celebrated for his honest tales of life on the road, heartbreak, and struggles of all sorts. His first LP, Fried Chicken & Evil Women, from 2019, established him as a refreshing voice in the modern country music landscape. The songs from that first album were charming and playful songs, but didn’t reveal the entirety of Emerson’s story. On his brilliant new album, The Golden Crystal Kingdom, Emerson transcends the role of a honky-tonk country singer and becomes a chronicler of his history. The album is a bold continuation of the story he tells on Vincent Neil Emerson, with songs like the title track exploring the feelings he was left with after his days spent playing in Texas honky-tonks and dancehalls, and the track “The Time of The Rambler,” inspired by the early days of living in his car and busking on the streets. Sonically, The Golden Crystal Kingdom finds Emerson expanding his scope into rock and roll territory, tapping into the storied sounds of folk music gone electric, and following in the footsteps of artists like Bob Dylan and Neil Young. On the album, Emerson retains his diamond-sharp storytelling while imbuing the work with a freewheeling rock and roll aesthetic, creating an album as fun as his live shows and as cathartic as his previous work. The Golden Crystal Kingdom also pays tribute to some of the peers Emerson cut his teeth with in the music scene. He covers the Charley Crockett song, “Time of the Cottonwood Trees,” and is quick to pay tribute to his labelmate and dear friend Colter Wall. “Those two had my back since day one. They’ve been some of my biggest supporters, and they’ve always inspired me to write better songs and encouraged me to pursue this,” Emerson reflects. “Especially at a time when I was starting out and I didn’t really have a lot of encouragement or even self-confidence to do this, they were always there for me.” LEON MAJCEN Leon Majcen is a musician whose story is one of resilience and determination. He grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the son of Bosnian war refugees who had fled their homeland in search of a better life for their children. From a young age, Leon was drawn to the power of storytelling through music, particularly the work of artists like Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Bob Dylan, and Guy Clark. Leon began playing in local bars while still in high school, honing his craft and building a loyal following. After graduating, he decided to pursue his passion for music in New York City, while attending college at New York University and playing shows around town. After a while, Leon came to the realization that the hustle and bustle of the city wasn’t where his heart was at.
The Bones of JR Jones
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY THE BONES OF JR JONES Growing up, Jonathon Linaberry was obsessed with the radio. “I remember sitting there at night, glued to the boombox, cassette player ready to record whenever my favorite songs came on,” he recalls. “There was something so thrilling about it, something romantic that I think we’ve lost now that everything’s available at our fingertips. I wanted to find a way to get back to that place, to recapture those feelings of excitement and anticipation and possibility.” Linaberry does precisely that on Radio Waves, his sixth studio album as The Bones Of J.R. Jones. Recorded in Toronto with producer Robbie Lackritz (Feist, Bahamas), the collection is moody and hypnotic, steeped in the sonic landscape of the ’80s and ’90s as it excavates the past with equal parts nostalgia and curiosity. The arrangements are utterly entrancing here, built on the tension between acoustic instruments and retro synthesizers, and Linaberry’s performances are raw and visceral, at times aching in their vulnerability. Put it all together and you’ve got a poignant exploration of memory and longing delivered by a relentless searcher, a revelatory work of personal reflection steeped in the endless beauty, pain, and chaos of youth.“I’ve never really resonated with the idea of ‘the good old days,’” Linaberry reflects. “Your understanding of the past and your relationship with it change as you get older, and I’ve always been more interested in the evolution of those feelings than in wearing any kind of rose-colored glasses.” RUEN BROTHERS After their Rick-Rubin-produced debut album, and a self-produced second record featuring songs they’d written for an award winning Netflix film, Ruen Brothers emerged with a powerful and timeless ode to Western classics on their 2023 ‘Ten Paces’. Showcasing their mixing, mastering, writing and soundscape design talents, the British duo hit neo-noir gold on the ten song collection – their first for Yep Roc Records – with classic melodies and dulcet, soaring vocal tones, laced with western guitar motifs and reverberant production.
ABSFest Friday FanDom Nerdlesque
ABSFest Friday FanDom NerdlesqueWe’re bringing back our Friday Nerdlesque show for our 16th year, bringing together national burlesque, sideshow and variety artists! See your favorite Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Music and Pop Culture FanDoms flying their freak flags. Hosted by the mighty powerhouse of Atlanta, Lola Le Soleil. VIPs enjoy 7 PM doors, preferential seating, VIP goodies, AND a special VIP sword-swallowing show! General Admission doors at 7:30pm. AGES 18+.
The Wildmans
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY THE WILDMANS The Wildmans come from the hills of Floyd, Virginia, in the heart of the Appalachian mountain music tradition. From campsite jamming at festivals and fiddler’s conventions and a college level music education comes the foundation for musical exploration that sets this group apart, taking the audience on a musical journey that reflects the growth and passion of these talented musicians. The group has appeared on stages large and small, performing in festivals such as Red Wing Roots, Chantilly Farm’s Bluegrass and BBQ festival, Grey Fox Bluegrass, Floyd Fest, and The Steep Canyon Rangers’ Mountain Song Festival. They also regularly represent young talent along the Crooked Road in regional fiddler’s conventions. Having shared the stage with talents such as Bela Fleck, The Steep Canyon Rangers. The Steel Wheels, Danny Knicely, Sammy Shelor, Sierra Hull, Billy Strings, and more. These young musicians are making their way in the American stringband scene. DORI FREEMAN Dori Freeman has sharpened her vision of Appalachian Americana over five studio albums. From the country traditionalism of her self-titled debut to the amplified folk of Ten Thousand Roses, it’s a sound that nods to her mountain-town roots even as it reaches beyond them. Freeman continues creating her own musical geography with Do You Recall, the songwriter’s most eclectic — and electric — record yet. Like a counterpart to Ten Thousand Roses — the 2021 release that found Freeman trading the acoustic textures of her earlier work for a more expansive, electrified version of American roots music — Do You Recall nods to the full range of Freeman’s influences and abilities. She still sings with the unforced vibrato of a classic folksinger, but she’s more of a modern trailblazer than a throwback traditionalist, funneling her Blue Ridge roots into a contemporary sound that’s both broad and bold.
John Craigie
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY JOHN CRAIGIE John Craigie has mastered the art of creating live shows that feel more like intimate conversations than performances. Infusing humor, wit, and poignant storytelling, his shows are a space where audience members feel like old friends. Whether he’s headlining solo or sharing the stage with longtime collaborators, Craigie’s ability to make his crowd laugh, reflect, and connect is second to none. As he prepares to release Greatest Hits… Just Kidding… Live – No Hits, his latest live album captures the warmth and spontaneity of these memorable nights. At this point, there have been quite a few good shows in the rearview… As a tried-and-true performer, he has regularly sold out solo tours in addition to hitting the road with the likes of Langhorne Slim, Brett Dennen, Mason Jennings, Bella White and Jack Johnson. He has picked up fans with sets at Newport Folk Festival, Pickathon, Edmonton Folk Festival, and High Sierra Music Festival. Including numerous European tours and his first Australian tour in spring of 2024 Moreover, his annual river trip on the Tuolumne River—just outside of Yosemite in California—has remained a hit with his audience, hosting one sellout after another. Giving back as much as possible, he notably launched the #KeepItWarm Tour during the holidays. By donating $1 from every ticket sale, this headline run has raised money for regional non-profits with the goal of fighting food insecurity. An avowed Beatles acolyte, he has performed acoustic renditions of the albums Abbey Road and Let It Be live in front of packed crowds and partnered with Record Store Day for limited-edition vinyl releases of those concerts. To him, the live albums seek to achieve a sound where the listener will feel like they’re in the venue, sitting and experiencing the show with the rest of the crowd. CAT CLYDE Cat Clyde is a singer/songwriter based out of rural Ontario, Canada. A combination of driven, soulful blues and sweet, folk- tinged, dulcet tones that carry a particular sense of familiarity provide the structure on which she creates her unique sound. With influences ranging from Patsy Cline and Lead Belly to Karen Dalton and Bobbie Gentry, this patchwork of musical significance, when stitched to her modern approach, fits like a well-tailored, corduroy-road cloth. Cat’s latest album Down Rounder is a wonder of deeply felt songwriting, a record that finds her marveling at what’s around her while considering her own place within it all. After racking up millions of streams across multiple platforms with previous releases, Down Rounder sounds like the work of someone who’s found themselves artistically and holistically, while extending a hand to any listener who wants to follow Clyde on her singular and thrilling path.
TWEENER TUESDAY: Suns of Stars
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY DARK MOON HOLLOW Dark Moon Hollow is a four-piece bluegrass band hailing from the heart of Lexington, Kentucky, blending the rich traditions of Appalachian music with a modern edge. Over the course of eight years, the band has seen an impressive evolution, with 15 talented members contributing to its sound and identity. Today, the group features an electrifying lineup: Trigger Trey on guitar, Riley Logan on mandolin, JD Thomas holding down the rhythm on bass, and Andrew Taylor weaving captivating melodies on fiddle. Together, they create a dynamic energy that has captivated audiences across the region. The band’s debut album, Dark Moon Hollow, introduced their raw, roots-driven sound to the world, earning regional acclaim and solidifying their place in the bluegrass community. The album’s heartfelt lyrics and driving instrumentals captured the spirit of Kentucky, establishing the group as torchbearers of the state’s storied musical heritage. Building on that foundation, their sophomore album, Final Notice, showcased a bolder, more intricate approach to songwriting and arrangement. The record pushed boundaries, incorporating complex harmonies and innovative instrumental interplay, earning critical praise and cementing their reputation as a band willing to evolve while staying true to their roots. Known for their high-energy live shows and deep connection to their audience, Dark Moon Hollow has become a mainstay of the Appalachian bluegrass circuit. Despite the lineup changes, their dedication to authenticity and musical excellence has remained unwavering. With a sound that blends tradition and innovation, they continue to draw new fans while honoring the legacy of those who came before them, proving that the spirit of bluegrass is alive and thriving in their hands. SUNS OF STARS Orbiting around Asheville’s grateful music scene since late 2023, Suns Of Stars blends contemporary and traditional bluegrass with a high energy jam style. Suns Of Stars members are all hometown heroes in various musical projects around town which has led to great turnout at their shows. That, along with a massive song repertoire and growing list of original music make for a unique performance each time.
