PATIO: The Krickets
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDTHE KRICKETS What happens when the world turns upside down and a quarantine benches a band’s tour? Something magical. They learn to write and record remotely, self-produce some music and then….release it – bells and whistles be damned. With new single, These Games, The Krickets offer a raw, Americana harmony bath with a retro feel. Described as “powerful and emotive” by American Songwriter, the release is a small part of a big message from a beloved musical community that nothing’s gonna stop the music. The Krickets are a female Americana group from the gulf coast who’s music is what Paste Magazine called a “a truly stunning, one-of-a-kind sound.” Two-time winner of a 2016 and 2019 Independent Music Award for Song of the Year in both Folk and Alt Country categories, the band’s music is a genre-bending Americana cocktail steeped in their signature folk harmony. Muscles Shaols producer Ben Tanner of Single Lock Records helped them find this sound on their 2016 debut Spanish Moss Sirens and Nashville’s Sam Ashworth (Joy Williams, Lone Bellow), helped them dive further into it on their 2018 sophomore LP, Redbird. New single, These Games, is a true first for them, fully self-produced and dropped June 5th, 2020. A portion of proceeds from every album sale benefits the Sacred heart Hospital Guild’s “Cricket Fund” in honor of Cricket Russell (namesake of the band) providing screenings to the uninsured in rural north Florida. The “K” was interchanged to give space to Buddy Holly’s fabulous Crickets. “The Krickets send chills down your spine and lift you sky high…” No Depression
James McMurtry
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYJAMES McMURTRY In James McMurtry’s new effort, The Horses and the Hounds, the acclaimed songwriter backs personal narratives with effortless elegance (“Canola Fields”) and endless energy (“If It Don’t Bleed”). This first collection in seven years, out August 20, 2021 on New West Records, spotlights a seasoned tunesmith in peak form as he turns toward reflection (“Vaquero”) and revelation ( closer “Blackberry Winter”). Familiar foundations guide the journey. “There’s a definite Los Angeles vibe to this record,” McMurtry says. “The ghost of Warren Zevon seems to be stomping around among the guitar tracks. Don’t know how he got in there. He never signed on for work for hire.” The Horses and the Hounds is a reunion of sorts. McMurtry recorded the new album with legendary producer Ross Hogarth (John Fogerty, Van Halen, Keb’ Mo’) at Jackson Browne’s Groovemaster’s in Santa Monica, California, a world class studio that has housed such legends as Bob Dylan (2012’s Tempest) and David Crosby (2016’s Lighthouse) as well as Browne himself for I’m Alive (1993) and New Found Glory, Coming Home (2006). McMurtry and Hogarth first worked together 30 years ago, when Hogarth was a recording engineer in the employ of John Mellencamp at Mellencamp’s own Belmont Studios near Bloomington, Indiana. Hogarth recorded McMurtry’s first two albums, Too Long in the Wasteland and Candyland, for Columbia Records and later mixed McMurtry’s first self-produced album, Saint Mary of the Woods, for Sugar Hill Records. Another veteran of those three releases, guitarist David Grissom (Joe Ely, John Mellencamp, Dixie Chicks), returns with some of his finest work. Accordingly, the new collection marks another upward trajectory: The Horses and the Hounds will be McMurtry’s debut album on genre-defining Americana record label New West Records (Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell, Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Buddy Miller, dozens more). BETTYSOOBettySoo’s vocal prowess is a thing of wonder. A world-class instrument of deft phrasing and purity, a voice that knows when to hold back and when to dive in. At her own live shows, taking a verse onstage with friends or singing harmonies in sessions with Austin’s finest, BettySoo sings with consummate loveliness and self-assurance. A voice that knows the roots of American music inside and out; coming from a most unexpected place – a diminutive Korean-American with a deceptively girl-next-door demeanor. Touring the unforgiving circuit of listening rooms, clubs and festivals, BettySoo has mastered the art of performance. A funny anecdote sets up a song of heartbreak and need; a witty rejoinder belies the dark truths that underpin much of her work.
OUTPOST: Garcia Peoples & Chris Forsyth
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINEGARCIA PEOPLES Formed in New Jersey by guitarists Tom Malach and Danny Arakaki, the band took a few years to find their flying shape, solidifying into a lineup with Danny’s brother Cesar on drums and Derek Spaldo on bass by mid-2016. Ramping up their acceleration around the time of their 2018 Cosmic Cash debut on Beyond Beyond Is Beyond Records, they’ve blasted through residencies and new songs and sessions and collaborations, relocating to New York, picking up two new members in keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist Pat Gubler and bassist Andy Cush, and leaving a trail of live tapes in their wake. This year, they’ve delivered not one but two new albums for BBiB: the sleek and song-oriented Natural Facts and the sprawling improvisatory opus of One Step Behind. 2019 also saw the first performances by the full Garcia Peoples lineup, a six-person behemoth with Spaldo on third guitar. With a stash of live recordings accumulating at the Live Music Archive, Garcia Peoples’ music is very much a living entity. Since the release of their previous two albums, songs have started to expand, jam suites have grown, and experiments have been undertaken. The first part of 2019 has seen Garcia Peoples back Philadelphia guitarist Chris Forsyth (an expanded Solar Peoples Band has hit double-drummer overdrive several times now), and joined with guitarist Ryley Walker. They’ve improvised on WFMU, and jammed with the sounds of ocean waves and falling rain at strange late night happenings. Probably something else new and wonderful and weird has happened in the Garciaverse since I wrote this. Whether or not you thought you knew Garcia Peoples’ music, One Step Behind is something new and beautiful, for new heads and old. No matter where you stand–behind, beyond, or another plane altogether–One Step Behind is ready. For those about to get on the Bus, we salute you. Chris ForsythChris Forsyth connects the dots between between anthemic art rock, chiming atmospherics, and motorik precision in taut compositions and mercurial improvisations that have earned the Philadelphia-based guitarist a unique reputation as a leading guitar stylist for jam and non-jam band fans alike.
OUTPOST: The Resilience Festival
– ALL AGES- RAIN OR SHINE- 2PM-9PM- $35 TIX FOR THOSE WHO BIKE TO THE EVENTKUF KNOTZ & CHRISTINE ELISEAMANDA ANNE PLATT • THE MOON & YOUDIDGERIDOO BREATHWORK JOURNEYVALORIE MILLER • CAROLINA DIVA DIAMONDZRYAN FURSTENBERG • TAI CHI • ZUMBASONGWRITER EMPOWERMENT SERIESSTANDUP YOGA W/ LIVE MUSICA wellness festival with national music acts, live hip hop from Philly, stand-up yoga w/ live music, kids hip hop, breath work, tai chi, zumba, on-site wellness practitioners giving demos & services, local craft arts, food trucks & happy times! 100% of profits goes to Resilient Voices: an organization doing amazing things to support victims of sexual trauma.Our FABULOUS sponsors include: Winter Magnolia Designs, Quility, Laurel OB/GYN, People’s Community Acupuncture, Leeroy Palmer, The Fred Project, West Village Market, Celtic Sea Salt, & Gray Line Asheville.WE LOVE YOU & THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SURVIVORS!
PATIO: Leah Marlene
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDLEAH MARLENE Leah Marlene is a songwriter, artist, and producer with a deeply rooted desire to create art unlike anything you have heard before. With a unique, engaging voice and a songwriting style that combines elements of folk, rock, pop, soul, funk, jazz and more, she cannot be put into a box. Leah grew up in a house full of music and guitars as her father, Derry Grehan, is a songwriter and lead guitarist with the Canadian band, Honeymoon Suite. He passed along his knowledge and passion for writing and performing. Leah began singing and writing her own songs at a very young age and never looked back! She has been performing professionally since the age of ten and releasing music since she was thirteen. Leah has been making writing trips to Nashville since she was 13, and after graduating high school, she made the move there where she spent two years studying songwriting at Belmont University. She then returned back to the midwest to produce her latest album, “Many Colors.” Now twenty-one years old, Leah most recently came off an incredible run on season 20 of American Idol, where she released her latest original single, “Flowers” and placed second runner up of the season! Leah is a lover of people and her greatest hope is that her music may meet you exactly where you are at and help you feel whatever it is you need to feel in a given moment.
PATIO: Moon Water
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDMOON WATER The mother/daughter duo whose tight blood harmonies drive the music, came to be during the covid-19 pandemic when Jenny Renee, a single mom, moved her two kids, Blu Belle and Bud, to The Appalachian Mountains from Manhattan, New York. Having grown up in the south, Jen got reconnected to her roots and started playing old hymns and mountain music with her kids. They began posting videos and getting positive feedback. Without much work due to the pandemic and being free of the bustle that is NYC, Jen had time on her hands to write more music and contemplate what’s important in life. As a cancer survivor, she found new joy and appreciation for life and nature on the mountain top and began singing about it. Blu started experimenting with fiddle, lap steel and bass when Moon Water was born. Bud sits in occasionally on drums as well. Why Moon Water? A month after arriving in Western North Carolina, Blu collected rain water before the Flower Moon and then sat it out the night of the full moon. There the water became moon water and they keep it in a mason jar as their positive energy force for musical inspiration. Their new album Deep Medicine, recorded at Citizen Studios and featuring Matt Smith on pedal steel and Lyndsay Pruett on fiddle, is available on all streaming platforms.
PATIO: Charlie Marks & Jay Skaggs
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDCHARLIE MARKSCharlie Marks is an old-time, roots banjo and guitar picker. His sets blend traditional folk tunes with originals, ranging from foot-stomping banjo tunes to heartfelt ballads. With a sound described “as fresh as it is timeless”, Charlie brings a raw energy and earnestness to the stage that has captivated audiences across the country.JAY SKAGGSJay Skaggs is an alt country singer out of central KY, with influences ranging from traditional music to alternative music. His songs tell tales from traveling the states, living in the street and dealing with our times today. Jay has been described as “grunge country” and “a highly caffeinated John Prine” (American songcatcher) and also drawn comparisons from Bob Dylan to Colter Wall. His music is found on YouTube and bandcamp. You can also stream Jay’s Red Barn Radio performance where ever you stream music. Take a listen to the *Okay Lucky You* EP @ jayskaggs.bandcamp.com
[CANCELED] PATIO: Liz Hopkins (of Delta Rae) + Azul Zapata
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDLIZ HOPKINS (of DELTA RAE) Liz Hopkins has been singing since she could talk, and probably sings more than she talks–.in choirs of all kinds, musical theater productions, open jams, sitting in with all kinds of bands, and as a proud member of North Carolina born DELTA RAE. She started harmonizing with Ian Eric and Brittany Holljes during her highschool years — and they are still harmonizing today. DR has played the Eagle many times! But now, Liz is coming at you with her own distinct flavor. As a vocalist with Delta Rae has toured all over the US, and internationally, released 4 full length albums, played music festivals including Bonnaroo, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza and more- performed on National TV (Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, Seth Meyers), and had the honor of meeting Michelle Obama, and shared the stage and had a sign off with Melissa Etheridge. She was real nervous. After 2 rounds with labels. In 2019, Delta Rae left the label they were on (again) and set out on their own and became the most funded independent band until the history of Kickstarter. It has been a wild ride and 13 years into full time musician life, she hasn’t slowed down. She remains proud to be part of Delta Rae, who just released 2 albums in 2020 and 2021 – and is back on tour this year!When Liz is not on the road or in the studio with Delta Rae, she is singing in professional musical theater productions, leading shows of her own around North Carolina, and practicing piano, teaching kids and adults to sing and now finally starting to write her own songs and put together plans for an album of her own. We’ve only just begun… AZUL ZAPATA Azul is a queer Latinx musician that oscillates from tender moments of grief and love to disco dance, music numbers on betrayal and the stress of living in our modern world. Oh and sometimes it is in Spanish. She sings and plays trumpet with her best friends and her goal is connect with her listeners. After releasing her debut original EP in 2021 “The View From Here,” Azul played all over NC and opened for several nationally touring acts. You can hear released music here. You can watch some of the performances here. And the website with everything and socials is here.
PATIO: Shake a Leg
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDSHAKE A LEG Local singer-songwriter Josh Pierce has been writing and sharing songs for 25+ years. Originally hailing from central Illinois, Josh initially made Asheville his home in 1995. Since then, his zig zag travels have included WNC, northern Florida, Kentucky and now back in Asheville. Along the way Josh has continued to honor his passion for live music (LIVE MUSIC IS BETTER) and songwriting. Blending elements of folk, blues, country, and rock and roll, Josh aims to connect with the audience…and have a good time along the way. After years of playing open mics, restaurants, and bars as a solo artist, Josh knew that it was now or never to start a rock and roll outfit. When moving back home to Asheville in 2022, he quickly reconnected with friend (and bass player) Jody Stevenson aka “Skilly” to form SHAKE A LEG. “SHAKE A LEG brings unique and energetic songs that come straight out of Josh’s daily life and travels”. David Boughner – local roots rock weirdo
PATIO: Stephen Evans & The True Grits (CD Release Show)
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDSTEPHEN EVANS & THE TRUE GRITS After many years of vacillating between being a professional musician and building a nest in Asheville, NC, Stephen Evans finally asked his friends, Brian Shoemaker (bass), Sam Hess (drums), and Woodstock (mandolin), to form the True Grits and make some music together in 2014. The very next year, Stephen Evans & the True Grits released their first LP “Something to Bleed”. Inspired to release more music, they followed two years later with their EP “Under the Bridge.” Both records have received local and regional praise for their passion and creativity. Stephen’s strong melodic songwriting style is a blend of vivid imagery, darkness, and hopeful optimism. There’s no denying the feeling that shines through with his evocative vocals and lyrics. Songs like ‘Ghost Among the Trees’, ‘The Garden’, ‘Cherokee Hills’, ‘Shining Star’, and ‘1000 Roses’ are beacons of his folk rock song craft. With radio play on Western North Carolina radio stations, as well as shows around the region, Stephen Evans & the True Grits are becoming a local favorite. “Buzz of Bees” is their latest album, released in December of 2022, of folk rock with some songs dipping their toes into other styles like Americana, Latin Folk, and Vaudeville. Singles from the LP, ‘Ghost Among the Trees’, ‘Winning the Day’, and ‘Estefania’, are already receiving radioplay on local stations as well as national online radio and music podcasts. Look for Stephen Evans & the True Grits playing fun live shows all around the area to support this beautiful album.
