Willi Carlisle
– ALL AGES- SEATED SHOW- LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLEWILLI CARLISLEWILLI CARLISLE is a poet and a folk singer for the people, but his extraordinary gift for turning a phrase isn’t about high falutin’ pontificatin’; it’s about looking out for one another and connecting through our shared human condition. Born and raised on the Midwestern plains, Carlisle is a product of the punk to folk music pipeline that’s long fueled frustrated young men looking to resist. After falling for the rich ballads and tunes of the Ozarks, where he now lives, he began examining the full spectrum of American musical history. This insatiable stylistic diversity is obvious in his wildly raucous live performances, where songs range from sardonic trucker-ballads like “Vanlife” to the heartbreaking queer waltz “Life on the Fence,” to an existential talkin’ blues about a panic attack in Walmart’s aisle five. With guitar, fiddle, button-box, banjo, harmonicas, rhythm-bones, and Willi’s booming baritone, this is bonafide populist folk music in the tradition of cowboys, frontier fiddlers, and tall-tale tellers. Carlisle recognizes that the only thing holding us back from greatness is each other. With a quick wit and big sing-alongs, these folksongs bring us a step closer to breaking down our divides.”Willi Carlisle is an absolute force of nature. From the moment he walks on stage you can’t take your eyes off of him and the minute he opens his mouth you can’t help but hang on every word. Even if the songs weren’t there, the showmanship alone would be worth the price of admission, but the scary part is the songs are just as good as the stories.” — BJ BarhamWILLY TEA TAYLOR There is no question that Willy Tea Taylor’s life as a singer/songwriter was predetermined – his role realized the moment he wrote his first song. With inspiration drawn from two separate wells. Living the life of a cattleman’s kid while experiencing true visionaries music Greg Brown, …, watching Guy Clark and friends sitting around the kitchen table loaded with ashtrays full of butts and half-smoked cigarettes, food, and booze on one Christmas Eve in 1975. Those guys, swapping songs without pretense, lit Willy Tea’s fire. And ever since, it’s led purpose with passion – finding a hang by curating relationships through musical friendships that get him closer to his own Clark style kitchen table. From his early days co-fronting The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, to singing solo in countless cowboy bars, to pitching countless wiffle ball games, Willy Tea has never lost the vision. Now Willy Tea Taylor has taken his vision of the “hero hang” on the road. and his talented traveling band The Fellership is made up of his fantastically talented buds who play Willy’s songs with a brand of reckless abandon and utter humility that spits in the face of pretense. The way The Fellership plays Will’s songs is the way they demand to be played and, in their short time together, they have been aweing every audience lucky enough to see them.
David LaMotte
– ALL AGES- FULLY SEATED SHOW- LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLEDAVID LAMOTTEDavid LaMotte is an award-winning songwriter, speaker and writer. He has performed over 3000 concerts and released thirteen full-length CDs of primarily original music, touring in all of the fifty states, as well as five of the seven continents. The Boston Globe writes that his music “pushes the envelope with challenging lyrics and unusual tunings, but he also pays homage to folk tradition,” while BBC Radio Belfast lauds his “charm, stories, humour, insightful songs, sweet voice and dazzling guitar ability.” His most recent album, Still, was at #4 on the Folk Charts as of August, 2022. LaMotte has appeared as a featured performer at the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Doc and Merle Watson Festival, the National Folk Festival of Australia, and the Auckland Folk Festival in New Zealand, among many others. His dense speaking and workshop calendar has included presenting at the PC(USA) Mission to the United Nations, keynoting peace conferences in India, Australia, Germany and at the Scottish Parliament, as well as offering the baccalaureate for 2016 graduates of Columbia Seminary. His TEDx talk on what music can teach us about peacemaking is featured on TED.org LaMotte suspended his eighteen-year music career at its peak in 2008 to pursue his other primary vocation by accepting a Rotary World Peace Fellowship to study International Relations, Peace and Conflict Resolution at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. As part of that study, he also spent time in rural Andhra Pradesh, India working with a Gandhian development organization.As a touring artist with an over thirty-year career, LaMotte has developed a large and loyal following. His music has been honored with numerous awards and artist grants, and has been featured on dozens of artist compilations. Notably, his song Dark and Deep was included on Songs Inspired By Literature, Chapter One, a benefit CD to raise money for adult literacy. Other artists on that CD include Suzanne Vega, Grace Slick, Aimee Mann and Bruce Springsteen. Several independent films feature David’s music, and it has been heard on the Today Show and the Showtime television series This American Life.As a result of his work with schools in Guatemala, he was named a “Madison World Changer” by his undergraduate alma mater, James Madison University, and in 2019, he was awarded an E-chievement Award by the syndicated radio show E-town. David makes his home in Black Mountain, North Carolina, with his wife Deanna and son Mason. He is currently touring again, post-pandemic, hosting a digital community on Patreon.com, writing songs, and writing his next book, tentatively titled, “Harmony: What Music Can Teach Us About Peacemaking In a Troubled Time.”GABE LEENashville-based songwriter Gabe Lee is becoming increasingly known for his ability to detail the intricacies of everyday life, the small distinctions that leave some on the fringe and others in the mainstream, and the particulars that stick around long after a lover leaves.
Gone Gone Beyond – I Hope To See You Tour
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYGONE GONE BEYOND Gone Gone Beyond is the synergy of David Block, Danny Musengo, Kat Factor, and Mel Semé, delivering a potent message of hope and the desire to return to humanity. The band seems to capture the story of beautiful uncertainty in an ever-changing world. Their music pays homage to the traditions of folk-americana songwriting while bringing together a myriad of influences from electronica, jazz, soul, and world music. Gone Gone Beyond is painting a new kind of sonic landscape, and it sits between the roots of the California redwoods and the vastness of the Pleiades constellation. Their music has been described as “mesmerizing future folk” (Consequence of Sound) that blends organic and electronic music. Since their debut EP in late 2016, they have played a range of events and festivals including Coachella, Lightning in a Bottle, the UN General Assembly, Red Rocks, and many others.LAURA ELLIOTTLaura Elliott is a twenty-two year old singer-songwriter from a small suburb of upstate New York. Her thoughtful lyrics and soulful melodies bring strangers together into a room filled with similarity. Aided by her folk influenced guitar melodies, Laura’s songs voice a sad truth to the way she shares her stories on her 2022 debut project, People Pleaser.
Coverfest II: a benefit concert for Asheville Middle School
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- TICKET PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT ASHEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Asheville Middle School is a community where we embrace our strengths, recognize our potential, and thrive in the pursuit of our dreams. This event is intended to help raise funds for our annual 8th grade trip to Washington DC. Local businesses and individuals have donated a wide array of items that will be available during a silent auction while several of Asheville’s local bands perform mini-sets of covers throughout the day. Featuring: Jeff Santiago & Los Gatos, Thieves Like Us, Double Love & theTrouble, Franklin Keel & Friends & many others to be announced.
Built to Spill
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYBUILT TO SPILL Built to Spill is an indie rock band from Boise, ID, formed in 1992 by guitarist/vocalist Doug Martsch. In September 2022 they released their most recent album, through SubPop – “When the Wind Forgets Your Name”. Known as well for its rotating line up, the band currently counts with Melanie Radford on bass and Teresa Esguerra on drums. DISCO DOOMORUÃORUÃ is a child of downtowsn, was born at night and attends the parties at dawn. A poor man’s jazz. Working-class’ krautrock. They play in Baixada Fluminense and in the United States, do not travel on tourism and have never been on an exchange program.
Harley, Kimbro, Lewis
– ALL AGES- FULLY SEATED SHOW- LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE HARLEY, KIMBRO, LEWIS From Knoxville to Nashville via Hertfordshire, Martin Harley, Daniel Kimbro & Sam Lewis collaborate for the first time on a slow cooked, laid back album reminiscent of an early American songbook. Produced at Wow & Flutter studios the old fashioned way; writing songs in the morning and rolling the tape in the afternoon, the album highlights Daniel’s Appalachian roots, Sam’s Nashville tones and Martin’s traveling riverside blues. Individually they have worked with some of the biggest names in the business. This is acoustic Americana at its finest. The Harley Kimbro Lewis album received glowing reviews during its 2022 release with a comprehensive UK tour. In March 2023 the trio will tour the US performing only six dates exclusively in the Southeast. MARTIN HARLEY (UK based) has been making music and touring the world for over two decades. Exploring blues and roots in a style The Guardian referred to as ‘Spellbinding’, Harley has released eight albums to date. His carbon neutral ‘Blues Gone Green’ bicycle tour of the UK took place in 2011. He participated in the ‘World’s Highest Gig’ in the Himalayas. His motorcycle adventures have taken him across Mali in search of the roots of blues music. He toured Northern India and Nepal on a vintage Royal Enfield and spent a year living in his 1977 Holden station wagon in Australia. Recent nominations include AMA instrumentalist of the year, Best Acoustic Guitarist, and Best Acoustic Blues Artist. Notable appearances include performances at Glastonbury, Royal Albert Hall, Union Chapel and countless international venues and festivals. DANIEL KIMBRO was raised on American Roots music in and around Appalachia and is a twice GRAMMY-nominated musician from Knoxville, TN with numerous recording credits and touring appearances. Splitting his time between Knoxville and Nashville, Daniel is a regular accompanist with John Hiatt, the Jerry Douglas Band, the Earls of Leicester, and The Transatlantic Sessions. He as appeared on stage with the likes of James Taylor, Alison Krauss, Sir Aly Bain, Cara Dillon, R.B. Morris, Bela Fleck, Molly Tuttle, Maura O’Connell, and many others. SAM LEWIS is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter that has collaborated with everyone from Leon Russell to Chris Stapleton, who dubbed him “a modern Townes Van Zandt”. Lewis is often labeled with the word ‘soulful’ and a style that meets at a juncture of many different genres; a place where feel-good music meets vital social commentary. A decade worth of touring his studio efforts have captivated audiences all around the world. His songs and stories are glued together with a unique stage banter developed from performing in numerous music halls, clubs, theaters, festivals and music cruises. SARAH SISKIND: Sarah Siskind’s artistry speaks for itself – an arresting voice; a respected, much-covered songwriter; a frequently-licensed recording artist; an admired, free-spirited, commanding performer.
Kathleen Edwards
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYKATHLEEN EDWARDS If you ask Kathleen Edwards, the best thing she ever did was quit. By 2014, the singer-songwriter had released four studio albums and amassed widespread critical acclaim. She had been touring since the release of her 2012 album, Voyageur, and the prospect of returning home—only to start writing her way toward another album, and another tour—felt impossibly daunting. She put her guitar away, at least for awhile: she moved back to her hometown of Ottawa and settled down in Stittsville, an old village on the western edge of town. A running inside joke with bandmate Jim Bryson about opening a coffee shop and naming it “Quitters” became reality. For years, the only new music she heard was playing in the background while she served her regulars at the shop, where she slowly started to fall in love with music again. “I had no desire to write, no desire to play,” she says of what she refers to as her “working sabbatical.” “It allowed me all the time and space I needed to even just enjoy listening to music again. There were so many times where, if I was thinking about my own writing or playing, my heart just wasn’t in it. Opening a cafe gave me such a clean break from the weight of what I was carrying, I worked my ass off building a shop, I didn’t have to be ‘just a singer’ anymore.” But in 2018, she received an unexpected phone call that changed that. Maren Morris, a longtime fan, invited her to Nashville for a songwriting session. Edwards accepted, and “Good Woman,” their collaboration, wound up on Morris’ 2019 album, GIRL. “It reminded me that writing and creating music is entirely my wheelhouse, and it was so easy to just jump back in and do that,” she says of her fortuitous time in Nashville. “Funny enough, the third person in the room for those two days was Ian Fitchuk, and [we] ended up starting the process of producing a record.” Edwards will make her long-anticipated return to music with Total Freedom, her fifth studio album out August 14th via Dualtone Records. Written and recorded in Canada and Nashville with longtime collaborator/guitarist, Jim Bryson, and Grammy-winning songwriter/producer, Fitchuk, Total Freedom is both a return to form and a “hard reset,” one that empowered Edwards to write and perform entirely on her terms. “I didn’t want to write songs that were going to keep me in a dark place on stage every night,” she says. “I didn’t have to carry a lot of the pressure of whatever course I was on previously… There’s a pressure sometimes to keep that ball rolling, and that’s what was so freeing about stopping altogether. I have this whole other experience now that grounded me and helped me rebuild my relationship with myself, and writing music. I’m entirely in control and deciding what my course of action is.” “I finally had this exhale from a year that was really hard,” she says of the forces shaping Total Freedom. “I went through a scary experience, extricating myself from someone, and it was this wonderful moment of resilience when I finished the album. I am super resilient. I’m always finding ways to adjust what’s not working. I’m not gonna let someone take me down in the process. I think that calling [the record] Total Freedom was a reminder that I am a really strong person.”MATT SUCICH
Os Mutantes
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYOS MUTANTESOs Mutantes (“The Mutants”) are an influential Brazilian psychedelic rock band that were linked with the Tropicália movement of the late 1960s. When Os Mutantes was formed, it combined influences from psychedelic acts from the English-speaking world like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Sly & the Family Stone with bossa nova, tropicália, samba and the cultural legacy of the Brazilian art vanguards from the modernist movement. One of the most well-known and influential rock bands in Brazil, Os Mutantes are cited as a major influence to many contemporary underground or independent bands in the United States and Europe. Beck paid tribute to the group with his single “Tropicália” from the album Mutations. The Bees (UK band) covered “A Minha Menina” on their first album, Sunshine Hit Me. Red Hot Chili Peppers bass player Flea has stated on his Twitter account that he is a fan. Kevin Barnes of Of Montreal cites Os Mutantes as an important influence. Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has worked to publish and promote the group’s music through his Luaka Bop label. Kurt Cobain publicly requested a reunion tour from the trio in 1993, writing a letter to Arnaldo Baptista, but the bands first live performance since 1978 was at London’s Barbican Arts Centre on May 22, 2006 – (though without Rita Lee, who was replaced with Zélia Duncan on vocals). This performance was followed by shows in New York City, Los Angeles (with the Flaming Lips), San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, and Miami. However in September 2007, both Arnaldo Baptista and Zélia Duncan left the band, each expressing wishes to continue with their respective solo projects.Sérgio Dias, however, vowed to keep the reformed band alive, not wanting to let “the giant sleep again”, as he put it. And so, led by Dias with Esmeria Bulgari on vocals, Henrique Peters on keyboards, Vinicius Junqueira on bass and Claudio Tchernev on drums the band toured extensively enjoying some great highlights such as “A Minha Menina” featuring as the audio track for the McDonald’s commercial “Victory” in June 2008, their first new release in 35 years, “Haih Or Amortecedor” (ANTI- Records) in September 2009. Extensive tours in support of the album including Glastonbury Festival in June 2010. In 2011, they collaborated with Of Montreal on the song “Bat Macumba” for the Red Hot Organization’s most recent charitable album “Red Hot+Rio 2.” and in 2013 the release of their album “Fool Metal Jack”. In 2017, Sergio Dias collaborated with the English singer-songwriter, Carly Bryant and subsequently she was put into the band’s line up on vocals, guitars and keyboards. Tres Olhos Music Festival quoted after her debut performance “”Packed with the new vocals, Carly Bryant took the audience to ecstasy, showing she’s here to stay.” The six piece release the single ‘Black and Grey’ in late 2017 and are currently working on a new studio album.ESME PATTERSON Ray Bradbury’s 1950 sci-fi short story collection The Martian Chronicles takes place between 1999 and 2057. Life on earth is crumbling post-nuclear war. The robots are thriving, carrying out the duties set before them, while the humans are forced to flee to Mars. Esme Patterson’s fourth studio album, There Will Come Soft Rains, is named after the Sara Teasdale poem of the same name which inspired the Bradbury collection’s penultimate tale.
An Evening With Ron Sexsmith
– ALL AGES- FULLY SEATED SHOW- LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLERON SEXSMITHRon Sexsmith is a three time, Juno award winning singer songwriter from St Catharines Ontario. Born in 1964, Ron was drawn to music from an early age by the melodic songs of the era, which he heard on the radio and by his Mom’s record collection. His earliest musical heroes were Buddy Holly and Elton John. He always loved to sing, but didn’t start playing guitar until age 14 when he formed his first band “Paper Moon” (named after the film of the same name). Although he tried to write songs throughout his teens, it wasn’t until he was 21 and living in Quebec with his partner and first child, that he truly became a songwriter.Ron eventually moved his young family to Toronto in 1987 to further pursue a career in music. He worked as a courier by day, while performing in the clubs by night. He formed the band ‘Ron Sexsmith and The Uncool’ and started gaining attention from music label executives, though all passed on signing him. In 1991 he released his first full length album on cassette called “Grand Opera Lane” produced by Bob Wiseman. The album was rejected by the Canadian music industry, although it found its way to Los Angeles where Ron ultimately signed his first music publishing deal with Interscope Records followed by a recording contract.With producer Mitchell Froom, Sexsmith released his self-titled label debut album in 1995. The melancholic tone and sparse acoustic arrangements of the album were met with disapproval from Interscope. However an enthusiastic endorsement from Elvis Costello drew media attention and the album was declared a critical success. In his Sept 7, 1995 review for Rolling Stone, Bud Scoppa wrote: “He just may be the most fluent balladeer to come along since Tim Hardin or Harry Nilsson.”Sexsmith’s songwriting style evolved into a unique and timeless blend of classic pop, contemporary folk, and roots-rock idioms. He has built a steadfast reputation with critics and with some of his own songwriting hero’s (Elton John, Ray Davies, John Prine, Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen and Paul McCartney) for his characteristically honest, sensitive, and enduring approach to the songwriting craft. Ron has released albums on a consistent basis since 1995 and has recorded with noted producers Mitchell Froom, Daniel Lanois, Steve Earle, Jim Scott, Don Kerr, Brad Jones, Bob Rock, and Martin Terefe.His extensive song and album catalog has garnered Sexsmith a substantive cult following and an international touring career. His early years of touring included opening for established artists such as, John Hiatt, Elvis Costello, Sarah McLaughlin, Tori Amos, Squeeze, Aimee Mann, Coldplay, Nick Lowe, John Prine, Lucinda Williams and many others. His songs as well, have been covered by the likes of Rod Stewart, Nick Lowe, Emmy Lou Harris, Feist, and Michael Buble to name a few. In the past few decades as a headlining artist, Ron has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, such as Massey Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and Carnegie Hall. In 2017, Ron penned his first novel ‘Deer Life, A Fairy Tale’ published worldwide by Dundurn Press Limited. Ron completed work on a brand new album which is scheduled to be released in early 2023 and is in keeping with his reputation for catchy but graceful melodies, drawing on love, and the trials of everyday life. He currently lives in Stratford, Ontario and continues to be inspired to write, record and perform live worldwide.
Jackie Venson
– ALL AGES- SEATED SHOW- LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLEJACKIE VENSONJackie Venson is a multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter known far and wide for her complexly beautiful music and blazing guitar skills. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Jackie has traveled the world playing to massive crowds both as a headliner and as support for major acts such as Gary Clark Jr, Melissa Etheridge, Aloe Blacc, Citizen Cope to name a few. With the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cancellation of her entire tour schedule and the wave of social change sweeping across the country in 2020, Jackie committed herself to releasing more music than ever before, connecting with her fans directly and speaking up about the change she wanted to see in her city and country. Since then, Jackie has released 2 studio albums, 2 live albums under her name and several electronic albums under her side project titled jackie the robot. During the pandemic, Jackie Venson also made her National TV Performance Debut on Austin City Limits 46th season, a huge honor for the native Austinite. Venson’s most recent release, “Love Transcends”, Venson firmly established herself as a sonic force to be reckoned with out of Austin, Texas.CYNTHIA 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 is honored to bring her music to life with the support of local heavy hitters Duane Simpson (Dirty Logic, J Lloyd Mashup) on guitar, Eli Kahn (After Ours, Orange Moon) on bass, and Joe Enright (Orange Moon) 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 eventually she’ll be performing to listeners will sing her own songs right back to her.
