Abby Bryant + Dr. Bacon
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY ABBY BRYANT A music minister’s daughter turned fierce frontwoman on the festival scene, Abby Bryant found her true love for performing while attending Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Quickly forming a touring band and playing the Southeast and beyond, Bryant released her debut album Not Your Little Girl which garnered critical acclaim and Americana chart success with themes of growing up, leaving home, and finding her own identity outside her traditional upbringing. Produced by Dave Schools of Widespread Panic, Bryant’s highly anticipated upcoming album Glowing is slated for release in September 2024 and includes a cast of heavy-hitting session musicians including Adam MacDougall (Circles Around the Sun, Chris Robinson Brotherhood) and John Kimock (Mike Gordon Band, Oteil Burbridge & Friends). Glowing features a collection of even more mature and contemplative tracks that highlight Bryant’s artistic growth and the evolving sonic landscapes she is exploring. DR BACON DR. BACON is a 6 Piece touring Appalachian Funk, Grass and Rock &Roll band. Wielding a diverse instrumentation with broad, deepmusical influences allows the band to perform a plethora ofenergetic, accessible, and danceable music.The Dr. Bacon LiveExperience is truly a spectacle to behold, bringing the audience on amusical journey that lulls and spikes in energy, caressing ears withlush beauty and whipping crowds into a tribal romp, shaking bootiesand shedding inhibitions. This manic versatility ensures that nomatter what genre of music you identify with most, you will hearsomething that resonates at a Bacon show. Dr. Bacon startedplaying together in 2012 on King Street in Boone, NC as a 3 piecebusking with acoustic bluegrass, folk, and 90s pop/rock/hip-hopinfluenced party music. Several lineup changes over the years and arelocation to Asheville, NC have refined, redirected, electrified, andmatured the band’s sound, incorporating funk, rock, soul,psychedelic and world music to their bedrock of Appalachianinfluences. The blending of several elements of these genres (oftenwithin the same song) along with a unique & shiftinginstrumentation is the real Dr. Bacon flavor, and Bacon goes with everything!
East Nash Grass + Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY EAST NASH GRASS East Nash Grass is one of the hottest young bands in Bluegrass, picking up this year’s International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award for Best New Artist and stacked with IBMA Best Instrumentalist winners: Grand Master Fiddle champion and AMA Instrumentalist of the year nominee Maddie Denton, Cory Walker (banjo), and Harry Clark (mandolin). Put them alongside charismatic frontman James Kee and bassist Jeff Partin (Rhonda Vincent, etc.) and you’ve got a powerhouse leader of the next generation in bluegrass excellence. WSLR in Fogartyville calls them “a balance of undeniably hard-driving bluegrass alongside surprisingly introspective songwriting and earnest narration.” They are far more than a group of impressive instrumental technicians. As a group that came together organically via set after set on Nashville’s East Side, playing tiny stages for the love of it between tours backing bigger acts, they have a hard-forged bond that’s reflected in their stage chemistry. Audiences freak out over how much fun these guys have. As they work on the follow up to 2023’s “Last Chance To Win” — look for a release in the spring of 2025 — they now find themselves one of the most in-demand groups in Americana, fanning out well beyond the traditional bluegrass spots. BRONWYN KEITH-HYNES Bronwyn Keith-Hynes has long been renowned as a prolific instrumentalist, earning two IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year awards as well as a Grammy for her work with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway. But on her latest album I Built a World, the Charlottesville native unlocks an impressive new sound: her voice. “This is the first album I’ve ever sung lead on. Singing is something I’d always thought I’d do at some point and in 2020 I had the time and space to finally find my voice,” Bronwyn says. Even as the pandemic halted touring and so much else, vocal lessons kept her focused. “It’s funny,” she jokes of the timing, “you put a mask on me and suddenly I want to sing.” I Built a World marks her first vocal album, but Bronwyn has been a musician since before she can remember. “Apparently, I saw two girls busking on the street playing fiddles when I was three,” she explains with a laugh, “and I pointed to them and said, ‘I will do that.'” As a child, music lessons gradually transitioned into public performances, with a particular emphasis on Irish music after her family relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia. And her lifelong musical education continues to shape her work today. A background in dance makes her a captivating and energetic live performer. An on-stage collaboration with fellow Charlottesville native Dave Matthews taught her how a crowd could feed your energy. And attending Berklee during the early years of its American Roots Music program offered inspiration from classmates like Sierra Hull and Alex Hargreaves—as well as an introduction to Tuttle and most of Bronwyn’s Golden Highway bandmates. “My favorite bluegrass musicians today are the ones who are rooted in traditional music, but don’t really see any boundaries,” she says. “It’s as if they draw from a traditional bluegrass vocabulary, but use it to say what they want to say.”
Golden Folk Holiday Special
ALL AGES 6PM DOORS / 7PM SHOW FULLY SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE GOLDEN FOLK HOLIDAY SPECIAL Open Folk Avl has rebranded to Golden Folk! Beyond the name change and the occasional addition of non-musical performing artists, everything else remains pretty much the same. You can still expect a silent audience, great sound, hand-picked artists, a fair amount of goofin, and a whole lot of heart. One of the most beloved traditions over the past three years has been the Holiday Special, and by popular demand, we’re bringing it back! Eight artists will each perform a holiday-inspired original and a holiday classic. For this very special event, we’ll be celebrating at one of the most iconic music venues in the Southeast: The Grey Eagle. Staying true to our values of accessibility, we’re offering tickets in three pricing tiers. The first two tiers guarantee entry and are available for presale only. Day-of-show tickets will be “pay what you can if you can.” with no one turned away for lack of funds. Here’s the breakdown: • $25 for Priority Seating (first three rows) • $10 General Admission (presale) • $0-$25 Day-of-Show (no minimum) We can’t wait to see y’all there
Jolly La La La ft Pleasure Chest + Brody Hunt & The Silent Knights
– ALL AGES – STANDING ROOM ONLY – GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATION CONTEST – OYSTERS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Holiday hangs + oyster roast with your favorite Asheville bands — Pleasure Chest (9pm) + Brody Hunt & The Silent Knights (7pm)! Bring in your finest gingerbread house decorated to the nines for our not-so-serious contest with prizes and more! FREE entry to gingerbread house competitors. PLEASURE CHEST Blues, Soul and Rock ‘n’ Roll from Asheville, NC. BRODY HUNT & THE SILENT KNIGHTS An Asheville-area honky-tonk band playing classic holiday tunes!
Indigo DeSouza: A Winter Benefit Show for Campaign for Southern Equality
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY WINTER BENEFIT CONCERT FOR CAMPAIGN FOR SOUTHERN EQUALITY INDIGO DESOUZA (FULL BAND) SET AT 8PM. AFTER PARTY DJ SETS FROM WIFI MOMMY AND BOYS_CAMP! INDIGO DESOUZA A note from Indigo about the show: “Hello! We will be playing (full band) at the Grey Eagle, this month— December 18th. We will be followed by DJ sets from @wifimommy and @b0ys_camp. Proceeds from the show will go towards Campaign for Southern Equality :The Campaign for Southern Equality is based in Asheville, NC, and advocates for lived and legal equity for LGBTQ people throughout the South. You can learn more at www.southernequality.orgI am very excited to sing, excited to dance, excited to raise money for community that is dear to my heart!Tickets will be live this Friday ~Hope to see you there
Jerry’s Dead: Benefit for IamAvl’s Music Relief Fund
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY JERRY’S DEAD Join us as we raise money for the Music Relief Fund through IAMAVL. Jerry’s Dead plays 100% Jerry from GD and JGB.
of Montreal: The Sunlandic Twins 20th Anniversary Tour
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY of Montreal On of Montreal’s seminal album The Sunlandic Twins, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Barnes followed up their 2004 Polyvinyl debut, Satanic Panic in the Attic, with what became the band’s most commercially successful album to date. Originally released in April 2005, The Sunlandic Twins marked a significant turning point for of Montreal, showcasing Barnes’ evolving songwriting and a shift towards a more electronic and dance-oriented sound. The album’s vibrant blend of synth-pop and psych rock helped cement its status as a fan favorite and a defining moment in the band’s career. Iconic tracks like “Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games” and “The Party’s Crashing Us” became some of the most beloved songs in the band’s extensive catalog. WAGGING Wagging is Alison, Mark & Emily: three friends making harmony-driven, primitive pop in Asheville, NC
The 40, 20, 10s + Reverend Finster: A Benefit Show for Big Pillow Brewing
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY THE 40, 20, 10s NEON (out October ‘24) is the latest album by The 40,20,10s. Recorded over six days with producer Kevin Moloney ( U2, Sinéad O’Connor) in the historic studios at Citizen Vinyl in Asheville, North Carolina. This is the third recorded project by the band and we are proud to share these new tunes with you. REVEREND FINSTER Reverend Finster is an all acoustic tribute to the music of R.E.M. We feature songs mostly from the earlier albums from the 80s and IRS years.
Tyler Ramsey
ALL AGESPARTIALLY SEATED SHOW (please note SEATED vs SRO at checkout) TYLER RAMSEY Tyler Ramsey is an introspective singer-songwriter and unique fingerstyle guitar player who has built a rich catalog rooted in folk and melodic indie rock. Ramsey refined his sound while living in the western mountainous region of North Carolina, where he studied local styles of folk and drew inspiration from country-blues musicians who used to travel through the area. He has released highlights like 2008’s “A Long Dream About Swimming Across the Sea” and 2011’s “The Valley Wind”, all while being the lead guitarist and songwriter of Band of Horses for 10 years. Since striking back out on his own, he put out the rustic-toned “For The Morning” in 2019 and his latest album, “New Lost Ages,” in February 2024, which was captured in Seattle, Washington, by storied producer Phil Ek (Fleet Foxes, Father John Misty). The 10-song LP is an ongoing sonic quest — meticulously wandering across the musical landscape, this undulating tone of indie and folk stylings. The new album is about peeling back the layers of oneself, to locate and open up the dusty boxes of your past from the back of the closet of your mind. It’s memories and mistakes, lessons and lifelines bringing the present moment into focus — the future bright with possibility and purpose, so long as you never forget the road to the here and now. Everything Ramsey has absorbed in his travels — onstage and on the road — is continually channeled through the lens of his words, unique tunings and guitar chords. It’s a whirlwind of sound and scope, all radiating from one human being with guitar in-hand, a silent room of curious souls awaiting the next number of beauty and grace conjured by Ramsey with such ease. SPENCER THOMAS Spencer Thomas cut his teeth as a drummer, singer and songwriter for country rockers Young Valley in his hometown of Jackson, MS before striking out on his own and recording the 10-song LP “Hangin’ Tough” in 2019. Alongside his songwriting partners Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster (Water Liars, Marie/ Lepanto) and Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel-Nut Zippers), he toured tirelessly throughout the United States sharing these songs and emerging as a frontman. The halt of the pandemic lockdown forced a reflection for Spencer that ultimately led him from his familiar backdrop of Jackson to Athens, Georgia. When he moved to the small yet lauded music town in August 2020, both the Georgia heat and the pandemic were still in full swing. In what was a time of intense isolation for many, Spencer saw the move as a personal test, and experienced a redefining of self which he distilled into the musical language he so deftly communicated. He would record a demo of a song, and in the evening walk the streets of Athens’ Normaltown neighborhood, listening intently to what he had created. The resulting album, “The Joke of Life” (out now via Strolling Bones) , was recorded over the last three years with the help of a veritable “who’s who” of the Athens music scene and beyond, including members of My Morning Jacket, Drive-By Truckers, Reptar, Heffner and Futurebirds, for which he served as the band’s keyboard player from 2020-2024.
Low Water Bridge Band
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY LOW WATER BRIDGE BAND There’s a sound the Shenandoah River makes as it rumbles over old stones in the shallows. It sings songs the way they used to be – plain and honest. No frills, buckle that belt before you head to the hills and hollers. It’s there under a Virginia moon that you’ll find the Low Water Bridge Band. Forged by firelight picking, the band’s romping, stomping, country-grass Americana ain’t for the faint of heart. Since their founding in 2020, they’ve gone from barnstorming the Shenandoah Valley to festival stages along the East Coast. Venues from the Carolinas to Kentucky and, yes, Nashville, Tennessee ring with their sound and are asking for more. They’re led by guitarist and lead singer Logan Moore’s searing melodies. The precision thump of brothers Alex and Riley Kerns’ bass and drums and their pitch-perfect vocal harmonies fill out the sound. Justin Carver’s pedal steel and banjo swirl through songs like smoke from the campfire. And it’s all brought together with the crunch and crackle of James “Chainsaw” Montgomery’s electric guitar riffs. From the first time you see them, your boots will be worn from kicking up dust. By the time a second chorus comes around you’ll be hooting and hollering their memorable originals alongside their die-hard fans. You’ll join a crowd who travels far and wide, bringing the party to your town. If you’re a fan of good music done right, be sure to keep a lookout for this fast-rising outfit from Clarke County, Virginia. Chances are, they’ll be blowing through your way one of these days soon. You can check out the latest Low Water Bridge Band news, information, and merchandise at www.lwbbmusic.com. And give them a like and follow on Facebook, Instagram, Tinder, and Tik-Tok. Their music is also available everywhere you stream or download your favorite music. JARED STOUT BAND An electrifying alt-country band with musical styles that are as diverse as the Appalachian landscape they call home. Runner-ups for the coveted “On-The-Rise” award at FloydFest 22, The Jared Stout Band has quickly solidified their presence in the national music scene. The band’s dynamic sound seamlessly weaves Appalachian rhythms with Blues and Rock undertones, creating a tapestry of emotion and energy that resonates with audiences of all ages and musical tastes. Jared Stout’s songwriting is soulful and relatable, with an authenticity that draws listeners in and guides them through a journey of life’s ups and downs. From the moment the Jared Stout Band steps onto the stage, this remarkably talented, emotionally charged set of musicians commands attention with a unique sound and an unparalleled, captivating intensity that leaves a lasting impression and forever fuses the shared experience into our hearts.
