Willie Watson
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYWILLIE WATSON For nearly two decades, Willie Watson has made modern folk music rooted in older traditions. He’s a folksinger in the classic sense: a singer, storyteller, and traveller, with a catalog of songs that bridge the gap between the past and present. On Folksinger Vol. 2, he acts as a modern interpreter of older songs, passing along his own version of the music that came long before him. Southern gospel. Railroad songs. Delta blues. Irish fiddle tunes. Appalachian music. Folksinger Vol. 2 makes room for it all. Produced by David Rawlings, the album carries on a rich tradition in folk music: the sharing and swapping of old songs. Long ago, the 11 compositions that appear on Folksinger Vol. 2 were popularized by artists like Leadbelly, Reverend Gary Davis, Furry Lewis, and Bascom Lamar Lunsford. The songs don’t actually belong to those artists, though. They don’t belong to anyone. Instead, they’re part of the folk canon, passed from generation to generation by singers like Watson. Arriving three years after Folksinger Vol. 1 — his first release since parting ways with the Old Crow Medicine Show, whose platinum-selling music helped jumpstart the 21st century folk revival — Vol. 2 expands Watson’s sound while consolidating his strengths. Several singers and sidemen make appearances here, including Gillian Welch, the Punch Brothers’ Paul Kowert, and Old Crow bandmate Morgan Jahnig. Even so, Watson has never sounded more commanding, more confident, more connected to the music that inspires him. Nodding to the past without resurrecting it, Willie Watson turns Folksinger Vol. 2 into something much more than an interpretation of older songs. The album carries on the spirit of a time nearly forgotten. It taps into the rich core of roots music. It furthers the legacy of American folk. And perhaps most importantly, it shows the full range of Willie Watson’s artistry, matching his instrumental and vocal chops with a strong appreciation for the songs that have shaped not only a genre, but an entire country.DYLAN WALSHEInternational touring & recording artist, Dylan Walshe, was born & raised in Dublin, Ireland. Dylan went on to hone his craft as a solo acoustic performer in London, then Europe, before eventually moving to Black Mountain, NC, which is where Dylan currently resides. Primarily a singer-songwriter, Dylan also sings traditional songs of the working classes & reinterprets a wide spectrum of songs in his own inimitable style. Dylan has received plaudits from such greats as Christy Moore, while No Depression has said “His voice is so strong and expressive, at once so holy and damned it can shake heaven and hell simultaneously. This suggests the old soul of a true roots artist, to be sure.”
Crystal Bowersox
– ALL AGES- FULLY SEATED SHOW- LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLECRYSTAL BOWERSOX Crystal Bowersox, a northwest Ohio native currently calling Nashville home, has built her life around music. Crystal’s love for music developed at an early age from a need to find peace in a chaotic world. Through art and creation, Crystal was able to direct her energy and emotion, finding a way to mend a mind in turmoil. For her, music was always the most effective form of catharsis, and she would play for anyone, anywhere. In her own words, “my guitar was an appendage. I couldn’t live without it.” Dead set on a career in music, Crystal moved to Chicago as a teenager, where she spent her days performing underground on subway platforms in between working odd jobs. While in the big city, she broadened her musical horizons and shared her talents with a variety of venues, ultimately auditioning for the ninth season of American Idol. Crystal’s time on the show proved to be well spent, as she immediately left the the soundstage for the recording studio. Since her introduction to the world through television, Crystal has released two LP’s, two EPs, and several singles. Additionally, she has used her talents to benefit several causes close to her heart, and has become an advocate and inspiration for people living with Type 1 Diabetes. To create her newest project, Crystal called on her “chosen family” of musicians. The combination of keeping those she cherishes close to her and taking an honest look at life has resulted in the truest music she has released to date. Crystal has drawn on her various influences — across folk-pop, classic rock, soul, blues and country — to make the kind of music that resonates with her spirit. It is both tender and tough, rough yet polished, and it encompasses many genres without falling neatly into one category. As one of her songwriting partners describes it, Crystal has “a voice like dirt and diamonds.” Her music is intended to bring a positive message of love and light to the world – things that folks will be able to take with them on their own journey, so that they, too, can feel truly alive.RYAN TAYLOR PRICE Ryan Taylor Price is a singer/songwriter in Asheville, North Carolina. Price was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and cut his teeth on Seattle’s dynamic music scene, where he was a founding member of successful bands Human Ladder and Alkai Diggins. Those rock n roll roots fuse his music with a fantastic raw energy, even as he leans into the imagery and storytelling of American Roots music. After an epic cross-county journey that involved a dog, a camper full of guitars, and an adventurous family, Price settled into the rich musical traditions of Western North Carolina, where he helped found The Greybirds, who were noted for their lyrical song writing and rich, vibey instrumentation. His outstanding vocals are a perfect complement to his musicianship, and his performances feature a seamless blending of the acoustic and electric experience. Price is always in pursuit of the next great song. For a great song, he believes, has the ability to heal, inspire, and connect people.
OUTPOST: Pete’s Thing
– ALL AGES – STANDING ROOM ONLY – RAIN OR SHINE – BADMINTON TOURNAMENT – 1PM-8PM Live Music Featuring:The Pond Brothers – 1pm-4pmThe Paper Crowns – 5pm-8pmBack in 2003, I began hosting badminton parties at my Oakley house. Along with these parties came some great tunes from AL & Woody, Barefoot Manner, Hot ButterRum and so many more! It’s time to do it again. The Paper Crowns and The Pond Brothers will be providing the music this year. Come early to join the Badminton tournament see below for more details. Feel free to bring a dish but The Grey Eagle Taqueria taco truck will be on site. There will be a tye-dye station so bring an item if you wish. Badminton Info Random drawn doubles Sign up by 1:15 (in person or reach out to Pete for a later slot) Cash prizes Double elimination style Best of three You have the option to join the Badminton tournament for an extra $10 fee. Cash Prizes and other goodies will be provided while playing. Proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of WNC.
OUTPOST: Pete’s Thing
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE- BADMINTON TOURNAMENT- 2PM-10PMLive Music Featuring:The Paper CrownsWoody WoodTony BlackMike Rhodes+ more! Back in 2003, I began hosting badminton parties at my Oakley house. Along with these parties came some great tunes from AL & Woody, Barefoot Manner, Hot ButterRum and so many more! It’s time to do it again. So on April 8th come on down and spend the day near the river. The music will start around 2:00 and go until past 9:00! You are welcome to bring your own food (charcoal grills available) or order a taco from the onsite Taqueria. I am very excited to say that my friends Woody Wood, Tony Black, and Mike Rhodes along with The Paper Crowns will be playing music for us. You have the option to join the Badminton tournament for an extra $10 fee. Cash Prizes and other goodies will be provided while playing. Random mixed-drawn teams, best of three games, & more to determined. Proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of WNC • Door Prizes• 50/50 proceeds going BBBS • Face Painting• Tye Dye Station — bring your own shirt!
Guy Davis & Walter Parks: The Sounds of the American South
– ALL AGES- FULLY SEATED SHOW- LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLEGUY DAVIS & WALTER PARKS Guy Davis and Walter Parks, thought they were bonded simply through years of incessant touring and their love of the music of rural America. Yet they only recently discovered a deeper and very specific common connection which inspired this collaboration – their respective ties to southeast Georgia. Guy’s grandfather ran the only black-owned track-lining railroad construction company in the Waycross, Georgia area during the early 1900’s. Coincidentally this was the same era and location that spawned distinct music interpretations of hymns, hollers, reels and work songs which Walter has researched and continues to archive in The Library of Congress American Folklife Collection. In contrast to his deep south familial ties, Guy Davis was raised in New York City by his parents Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, talented and world-renowned authors, actors and activists. And whereas The Blues remains Guy’s foundation, his live performances, with a banjo, harmonica or a six or twelve-string guitar are entrancing sonic travelogues through Americana, Folk, Blues, and even World music. In concert Guy is often light-of-foot and spirit yet on occasion he calls upon dark moments in U.S. history in hopes of realignment towards a better day, as he’s done in “God’s Gonna Make Things Over” – a song based on the infamous “Black Wall Street” racism-doused conflagration in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Walter and Guy often crossed paths on Walter’s 10 years touring worldwide as Woodstock legend Richie Havens’ sideman. When Richie retired in 2011, Walter knew he had to forge his own style and something compelled him to wonder if music had ever been made where he frequently camped as a boy – in southeast Georgia’s Okefinokkee Swamp. Sure-enough, a Library of Congress deep-dive has given rise to Walter’s unique interpretations of historic music heretofore largely unnoticed since their original recording in the early 1940’s by naturalist Francis Harper. Walter interprets most of this playful and upbeat – Irish and Scottish rooted music in a light-modern electronica feel. Together, Walter and Guy delve into the stories and songs of their ancestors, both familial and distant, to blow the dust off of the places and memories of those who’ve gone before them, and to shine a musical spotlight on the gifts that are out there to discover and explore.
Loretta Lynn Birthday Tribute (hosted by Cyndi Lou and The Want To)
– ALL AGES- PARTIALLY SEATED SHOW- SEATED AND STANDING ROOM ONLY TICKETS AVAILABLELORETTA LYNN BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE (HOSTED BY CYNDI LOU & THE WANT TO) CyndiLou & the Want To hosts our 4th annual birthday tribute to the legendary Loretta Lynn, and this year it’s bittersweet. Loretta left us last October at the age of 90. She also left a beloved catalog of songs that span a glorious and groundbreaking career. Come help us celebrate Loretta’s legacy with some of the region’s finest purveyors of country music.
PATIO: Keturah Allgood
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVEKETURAH ALLGOODKeturah Allgood was born and raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina. She is a Soulful Americana artist who draws on her myriad of life experiences for inspiration. While traversing the dusty back roads and often forgotten places she taps into the heart and soul of our shared existence. Keturah believes that music has the power to bring all of us together and reminds us that love, kindness and compassion always shine through the darkness of these often trying times.
PATIO: The Whiskey Charmers
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVETHE WHISKEY CHARMERS The Whiskey Charmers are a Detroit-based band led by Carrie Shepard and Lawrence Daversa. Fans have often compared their sound to riding through the desert with the top down, or the feeling of being in some lonesome smoky bar off the side of an abandoned highway, or music from a Spaghetti Western. William P Davis (Former Deputy Director of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville) says of the band, “I’ve heard a lot of good musicians. The Whiskey Charmers remind me of no one – and, to me, that is one of the best compliments an act can receive.” The Whiskey Charmers are currently touring to promote their fourth album “On The Run” which Ken Capobianco, Boston Globe Music Critic described as a “Sharply executed and evocative set of Americana rock filled with superbly arranged songs about the struggle to find connections, a sense of home, and a center in a ghost town of a world”. The rest of their discography includes a self titled album (2015) and “The Valley” (2017) which received a Detroit Music Award for Outstanding Country Recording, and “Lost on the Range” (2020), which received a Detroit Music Award for Outstanding Americana Recording. Many fans have found The Whiskey Charmers through the video game “Detroit: Become Human” which is set in their home city in the near future world of 2038 and has sold more then eight million copies worldwide. The band is working on their fifth full length record, set to release at the end of 2023.
PATIO: Highland Reverie
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVEHIGHLAND REVERIE Influenced by the rich musical heritage of Appalachia, Luke and Madison Morris’ sound is rooted in the folk traditions they grew up in. Nonetheless, they use folk tradition as a jumping-off point into new sonic landscapes and imaginative songwriting. After crossing paths at bluegrass festival, the duo began playing together regularly in 2018. Highland Reverie just released their self-titled debut album back in January. Their lead singles, “Real World” and “Father Time” were featured on Spotify’s editorial playlists, “Indie Bluegrass” and “Grassroots.”The first part of their name “Highland” simply refers to the area they call home. Old-time and bluegrass music from the Appalachian highlands is the foundation for everything they create. The second part of their name “Reverie” is a noun that describes a daydream or a trance. It is used in a musical context to describe music that provokes a dream-like, meditative state. Their lyrics and smooth harmonies take the front seat while soft arrangements help to tell the story of each song. Together, Luke and Madison Morris bring a modern take on tradition that continues to evolve while remaining rooted in the music of Appalachia.
PATIO: Cynthia McDermott
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVECYNTHIA McDERMOTTCynthia McDermott pushes the envelope of what is possible with the mandolin. While her diverse musical background spans many decades and genres, her latest album of original music, slated for release later this year, hones in on her love of jazz, bossa nova and R&B to deliver a collection of songs that both soothe and stir the soul.Cynthia has developed an impressive musical presence in Asheville in the 5 years she has called it home. Currently leading 3 bands — MOOD RING (90s/2000s pop, R&B), Para Gozar (Cuban son, bolero), and The Knockin Boots (honky tonk) — and a frequent contributor to many other local projects, she averages 250+ performances a year. She also surrounds herself with top-notch musicians from the Asheville scene. The band features Duane Simpson (Dirty Logic, Saint Disruption) on guitar, Eli Kahn (After Ours, Orange Moon) on bass, and Evan Martin (The Honeycutters, The Core) on drums.Presenting her original music is a dream come true for Cynthia, and has been a long time in the making. She spent most of her 20s rambling around the US, Spain and France, formative years that would inform her musical tastes and inspire many songs. Her band during that time would feature these songs occasionally, but only as a supplement to their repertoire of vintage jazz and eclectic covers. Once she settled in Asheville, the name of the game was getting as much work as possible, and again, her original music took a backseat to the development of her nowrobust gigging career. While she loves being able to connect with audiences through cover songs they know and love, she is beyond proud and excited to take this step into sharing an even deeper experience, and she hopes that one day her listeners will sing her own songs back to her.
