PATIO: The Cheeksters
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDTHE CHEEKSTERS The Cheeksters were formed in 1990 soon after Mark and Shannon Casson met by chance on a train in London, England. Mark hails from the UK, while Shannon was born and raised in Tennessee. They started performing music together as a duo with Mark on guitar and vocals and Shannon playing bass guitar. They soon released their debut album “ Stranger Things Have Happened “ in 1992, followed by “ Hey, What’s Your Style ? “ in 1994. The couple relocated to Nashville in 1996 and began working with producer Brent Little at his all- analog studio Cream Puff Recorders. So far they have recorded four critically acclaimed albums at Cream Puff – “Skating On The Cusp“ (1999) , “Nineteen Sixty Five“ (2005) , “Movers and Shakers“ (2007) , “The Golden Birds“ (2011) – They released two singles this past year and continue to write and record music here in Asheville.The Cheeksters combine the best of what made music great in the 1960’s with a winning, fresh pop approach that delights audiences. In the studio the group has produced six albums of timeless, tuneful, terrific pop that has real staying power. Onstage the versatile five-piece band turns out its straightforward catchy pop confections, bringing to mind a swirling variety of influences : Memphis soul, Carnaby Street pop, swampy rhythm and blues, and more. They somehow manage to channel Burt Bacharach / Hal David pop, Dusty Springfield’s diva soul, T-Rex’s manic boogie and the pomp of David Bowie often in the same song without sounding derivative.Mark and Shannon have called Asheville home for the past twenty years. The Cheeksters current line-up has performed live together for the past 12 years and is made up of Mark Casson (vocals, guitar, piano) , Shannon Hines Casson (vocals, bass guitar) , Jay Moye (piano, guitar) Mike Baker (drums) and Jerome Widenhouse (trumpet).
PATIO: John Allen Keck
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDJOHN ALLEN KECK John Allen Keck is originally from California, but now lives in Asheville, North Carolina. While living in California, John had a record deal with Epic in the 90s with his band “Hand of Fate.” John has played with people from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins. His earlier stuff was Alternative Rock. John stopped playing music over 25 years ago, but started writing songs and playing again in 2018. John’s music is influenced by Tom Petty, U2, Jason Isbell, Radiohead, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Pink Floyd and The Beatles. His EP, “Let You In” is his first release since “Hand of Fate.”
PATIO: Abby Posner
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDABBY POSNER Abby Posner is a queer, working musician in Los Angeles. Best known for her ability to play any instrument that she can find, twisting genres, and pushing the boundaries of folk, roots, and pop music making her “Genre Fluid.” From banjo riff to looping pedal she does it all. Absolutely outstanding! The full package – instrumentation, songwriting, chatter, stage presence. Just an outstanding musician and human being. Concerts at Our House
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.
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: 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: Acoustic Light Brigade
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDACOUSTIC LIGHT BRIGADEAcoustic Light Brigade (ALB) is the project of Jess Wells, Josh Batenhorst and Ginny Andino – three unique voices blending in harmony. Pulling inspiration from the high plains of Texas, las playas de Puerto Rico, and the Georgia heat, ALB is determined to spread light into the darkness…and occasionally vice versa. Bring your shades and your shiny attire – it’s gonna be a party.Jess Wells (guitar, vocals, violin) is a performing musician and theatre professional. His work as a composer has been seen on stages in Atlanta for more than 15 seasons. A multi-instrumentalist – he plays violin, mandolin and bass in addition to his unique electric-acoustic sound on the guitar. Previous bands include Jyve Tractor, Almighty Sol Shakers, and Cosmic Fire, playing stages from small venues to large festivals. In 2023 and in life, he hopes to be intelligent, brave and kind.Josh Batenhorst (aka “Capt. Josh,” aka “Capt. Happy,” aka “CEO” – vocals, guitar, percussion) has been writing songs since his teenage years on the plains of West Texas. A devotee of the Texas troubadour tradition he finds inspiration in whimsical, thoughtful, heartfelt lyrics and simple songs that seek the truth – be it light or dark. He has been a veteran of Asheville stages both on stage and behind the scenes since 2002. A prolific writer, he decided to turn his focus to music in 2022 to share all the stories in his heart.Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ginny Andino has been performing since she was 5 years old, both in PR and throughout the USA. She plays guitar, flute, recorder, accordion and piano. She is trained in opera, classical choral, ballet, jazz and modern dance, and musical theatre. She is a public school educator but she hasn’t let that break her spirit yet! With a voice that can penetrate your soul with sweet solo soprano à la Joan Baez, or disappear into a blended harmony like Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls, her sound is specifically tuned to shed light on YOU!
PATIO: The Discs (Album Release Show)
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDTHE DISCS Conceived years before their debut album was finally realized in October 2020, The Discs officially formed in the summer of 2021. Hailing from Asheville, NC, the band is Allan Day (guitar/vocals), Mike Comparetto (bass/vocals) and Greg Radz (drums/vocals). All members are veterans of their respective music scenes. The Discs fuse elements of power pop and ’77 punk/new wave with current production values and existentially-themed lyrics for a compelling sonic experience. The band anticipates a busy schedule in 2023 including the Spring release of their 2nd album plus many area performances.
PATIO: Appalachian Renegades
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDAPPALACHIAN RENEGADES A rock band that fuses classic sounds and modern tones, The Appalachian Renegades call upon guitar heavy riffs mixed with soaring saxophone melodies and clean vocals to form their core sound. Having spent 7 years playing shows across WNC, the renegades are currently writing music for their 4th studio release. Devil’s Wish, the third of their career, had two #1 singles in the summer of 2022 on Buzz Radio Asheville. The guys produce a sound reminiscent of rock bands like Greta Van Fleet, Clutch, Volbeat, Government Mule, Jack White, Black Stone Cherry, and My Morning Jacket among many other influential contemporary and classic rock artists.
