FREE PATIO SHOW: East Coast Dirt
– FREE SHOW – ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE EAST COAST DIRTAfter a 4 year break, the core three members of East Coast Dirt have decided to reunite and play their blend of originals and covers for the first time as a trio. East Coast Dirt was founded in 2005, and its core trio solidified in 2007. For nearly a decade, primary songwriters Brad Boughton, Wilson Hawes and Will Little morphed through different lineups, playing countless shows throughout the Southeast. Now the band is returning to old haunts and new venues alike to give crowds a taste of old-school Asheville, NC with a new guitar-led sensibility. The ECD sound has been reshaped with original songs and choice covers ranging from jammy psychedelia to full-force rock. Look for East Coast Dirt’s new album, “Polarization”, now on Spotify and other streaming services.
All Aboard AVL: The Last Waltz
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY ALL ABOARD AVL: THE LAST WALTZ The Travers Brothers reunite for a rare and unforgettable night, honoring the legendary Last Waltz concert film. Joined by special guests, they’ll bring to life the timeless music of The Band and their iconic collaborators. Asheville natives and former members of the touring outfit Travers Brothership, the brothers return home to celebrate this special occasion with soulful performances, powerful harmonies, and a spirit of community. This marks the fourth annual event of its kind at The Grey Eagle. STARRING: Eric Travers, Kyle Travers, Mac Arnold (Muddy Waters), Chris Bullock (Snarky Puppy), Justin Perkins (Toubab Krewe), Jonathan Lloyd (The JLloyd Mashup), Shane Pruitt (Marshall Tucker Band), Jack Mascari.
Fred Eaglesmith
ALL AGES SEATED SHOW FRED EAGLESMITH Fred Eaglesmith, the Canadian singer-songwriter and roots music icon, has spent over five decades carving out a singular path in the music world. Known for his raw, storytelling lyrics, gravelly voice, and unapologetic independence, Eaglesmith has become a cult hero to fans of Americana, folk, and country music. Born in rural Ontario in 1957, he ran away from home at 15, hopping freight trains and living a nomadic life that would later fuel the vivid, working-class narratives in his songs. With a career spanning more than 25 albums, Eaglesmith has earned a reputation as a prolific and uncompromising artist. His songs, often laced with wit, heartbreak, and a touch of rebellion, have been covered by legends like Toby Keith, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert and countless more. Tracks like “Time to Get a Gun” and “Freight Train” have become anthems for the disenfranchised, while his live performances- equal parts rock show and revival meeting- have cemented his status as a must-see act. Eaglesmith, along with his multi-instrumental wife, Tif Ginn, have teamed up with a new band, The Velvet Frogs, injecting fresh energy into their timeless sound. The Velvet Frogs bring a dynamic, genre-blurring edge to Eaglesmith’s music, blending his signature rootsy grit with psychedelic undertones and a dash of rock ’n’ roll swagger. Together, they’re reimagining his classic tunes and introducing new material that proves Eaglesmith is as vital and inventive as ever. No longer a road warrior, Eaglesmith is now only playing select and curated dates, as a duo with Tif Ginn, as well as with The Velvet Frogs. He continues to push boundaries, defy expectations, and remind us why he’s one of the most enduring and enigmatic figures in modern music. Whether you’re a longtime devotee or a newcomer to his world, one things for sure: Fred Eaglesmith is still writing his story, one unforgettable song at a time.
The Cody Sisters
ALL AGES SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE THE CODY SISTERS The Cody Sisters band is the very heart of contemporary acoustic Folk and Bluegrass music in Colorado, the United States and the UK. Their propulsive instrumental solos and warm harmonies combine to grip the listener. Along with their bass player Will Pavilonis, sisters Megan (guitar, mandolin, vocals) and Maddie (guitar, banjo, vocals) have forged a new sound that has no equivalent match in the acoustic world today. In May of 2023, The Cody Sisters released their self-titled EP marking a new beginning for the band. It is their first release since parting ways with their former image of “young girls in a family band” and it portrays a sense of maturity and musical understanding that reveals a new dimension to their artistic expression. They set out to explore new sounds and styles while still holding true to their bluegrass roots, and they have done just that. This new music is an invitation to connect, to feel, and to journey together through original lyrics and captivating instrumental arrangements. The Cody Sisters have a sound that is original, exhilarating, and heartwarming all at the same time. With strong ties to traditional American acoustic music, they continue to stun their audiences both in the US and abroad.
Robert Lester Folsom
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY ROBERT LESTER FOLSOM Robert Lester Folsom is a Georgia-born singer-songwriter and guitarist whose music blends soft psych, Americana, and sun-faded AM gold into a sound unmistakably his own. First self-released in 1976, his cult-classic LP Music and Dreams quietly circulated in the Southeast before slipping into obscurity—until crate diggers and reissue labels revived his recordings in the 2010s. The album was re-released in 2014 by Anthology Recordings (a Mexican Summer imprint), bringing Folsom’s homegrown vision to a new generation of listeners. Following that rediscovery, Folsom’s previously unheard material was brought to light through Ode to a Rainy Day: Archives 1972–1975 and Sunshine Only Sometimes: Archives Vol. 2—two acclaimed compilations of heartfelt demos that deepened his reputation as a lost master of homespun pop. A wave of younger fans has discovered Folsom’s music through Instagram, TikTok, and sync placements in hit shows like Outer Banks and Gossip Girl. After only a handful of rare appearances over the years, he’s now riding that resurgence—actively touring and performing to packed rooms nationwide, including a sold-out night at The Troubadour and a celebrated set at Newport Folk Festival. Folsom’s latest archival single, “Sitting on the Moon,” is out now as part of Mexican Summer’s latest eponymous compilation, offering yet another lost gem from this storied vault. A third full-length collection of archival material, Archives Vol. 3, is slated for release in 2026.
PATIO: Jodi John & Todd Hoke
– ALL AGES – LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE JODI JOHN & TODD HOKE Longtime friends and fellow songwriters, Jodi John and Todd Hoke (JoJo ToHo for short), will share the stage and swap songs for any and all Grey Eagle patio-loungers on a beautiful fall evening in North Carolina. With the combination of Todd’s wit and Jodi’s appreciation of Todd’s wit, smiles and good times are expected. (See bios for more information). Jodi John discovered the joy of songwriting as a teenager, listening to hip hop in Central and South Florida. “It’s Tricky” by Run DMC inspired her to write rap songs, eventually leading her to write folk songs after receiving her first guitar as a high school graduation gift. Now based out of Asheville, NC, Jodi leads the Asheville Songwriters Association, whose mission is to nurture the art and craft of songwriting in Western North Carolina and beyond. When things line up, Jodi tries to write at least one song per month, actively participating in local songwriting events, workshops and inspirational opportunities. Her backlog of original songs stands at over 250 written. However, Sybelia is Jodi’s first published EP. Most of Jodi’s songs reflect a narrative lyric style on top of strong melodies. She believes that stories lead us to understanding others and ourselves alike, both when we tell them and when we hear them. Todd Hoke waded into the songwriting pool while he and his wife were living in Austin and was quickly welcomed into the lively community of pickers, poets, and singers. He wrote about big skies, desert prophets and the slippery passing of time (a recurring theme for Todd, that last one). When Todd and Mrs. Hoke moved to WNC in 2005, his writing took on a more southern- fried tone – kudzu and catfish, anyone? In performance, Todd seeks to connect and entertain (or vice-versa) as a soloist or with his beloved Hendersonville-based trio, Possum Royale. Todd is currently working on his 6th album with Chris Rosser steering the ship. Todd’s mother cannot wait to hear it. More stuff and things/thangs about Todd and his music at toddhokemusic.com.
PATIO: ZG Smith
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE ZG SMITHThe son of an English professor mother and a shipwreck diver/underwater archaeologist father, indie-folk singer-songwriter, artist, and LA native ZG Smith has called Nashville home for a decade. Before moving to Tennessee, he spent his youth surfing, dialing in complex percussion routines on an award-winning high school drumline, experimenting with various elicit substances, and eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in Ethnomusicology, with a focus on Brazilian percussion, from UCLA. Since moving to Music City in his mid-twenties, he’s racked up a formidable cache of musical successes including touring extensively throughout the US, Canada, and Europe, being frontman, primary songwriter, and founding member of Americana duo Smooth Hound Smith, and sharing stages with acts like The Chicks, Trombone Shorty, Collective Soul, and Devon Gilfillian. His poignant and ethereal debut solo EP, Nighttime Animal, was released in February of 2023 and has garnered airplay and attention from musical curators and press outlets alike, not the least of which include Minneapolis’s The Current, NPR’s World Cafe, Nashville’s Lightning 100, PopMatters, The Bluegrass Situation, NashvilleSCENE, UnderTheRadar, and more. He is currently touring selectively and working on new music.
PATIO: Sunnyside Duo
– ALL AGES – LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE SUNNYSIDE DUO Sunnyside is a musical enchantment hosted by singer-songwriter Sunnie Rae. This Florida-born songstress is making her new home in the musical mountains and heart of Appalachia of Asheville, NC. Feel the depths of every song with Sunnie Rae’s intrinsic voice that will take you on a timeless journey as she weaves through the rhythms of old souls and stories with a new light. Infusing genres of Americana, Blues, Folk-Grass, Country and Indie in her sound to harness a swampy distinctive tone of her very own. Sunnie Rae gathers inspirations from artist such as Gillian Welch, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Ferrell, Sierra Hull, Peter Rowan, Doc Watson, John Prine, Janis Joplin, Patsy Cline, New Riders of The Purple Sage, Old & In The Way, The Grateful Dead and many more. This so called ‘Spirit of Suwannee’ has shared stages and bills with many of her heroes including Keller Williams, Larry Keel, Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, Yonder Mountain Stringband, Railroad Earth, Donna The Buffalo, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Grass Is Dead, John Kadlecik, and many more while touring the festival circuit with her former band Free Range Strange. As she nestles into the Appalachia, she now intertwines her original songs of old and new with a breath of fresh mountain air performing solo, duo or with her up and coming string band. Featuring Jackson Weldon in this Duo performance on The Grey Eagle patio, with roots in south Mississippi and a home base in Asheville, Jackson Weldon has built a career as a versatile sideman and multi-instrumentalist. For over 15 years, he has performed on mandolin, pedal steel, lap steel, dobro, mandolin, guitar, and banjo with bands throughout the Southeast. His musicianship is defined by adaptability, collaboration, and a love for live performance.
PATIO: Blue Cactus
– ALL AGES – LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BLUE CACTUS Rooted in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Blue Cactus got their start among the active honky-tonk circuit, developing an electrified twang that now branches out effortlessly into folk, alt-country, and psychedelic-tinged rock. Having released three records to critical acclaim, they have grown a cult following in the South and beyond, their introspective lyricism and blistering guitar techniques making the band potent in the studio and on stage. Their songs are currently featured in NPR Live Sessions and Billboard with albums reviewed in Paste, American Songwriter, and No Depression who praised their ability to paint “beautiful pictures of limitless possibility” in roots music. Their third studio album, Believer, is out now via Sleepy Cat Records.
The Cheeksters + Doss Church and the Unholy Noise
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY THE CHEEKSTERS The Cheeksters were formed in 1990 soon after Mark and Shannon 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 ) – and are currently hard at work on a new record. Over the years The Cheeksters have performed extensively in the SouthEast US, as well as showcasing their talents in NYC and London. Their songs have been recently placed with the NFL and Coca-Cola for commercial use, gaining them wide exposure and new fans. 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 four-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. The current line-up has performed together for the past seven years and is made up of Mark Casson ( vocals, guitar, piano ) , Shannon Hines Casson ( vocals, bass guitar ) , Jay Moye ( piano, guitar ) and Mike Baker ( drums ). DOSS CHURCH AND THE UNHOLY NOISE Doss Church & the Unholy Noise is an Asheville-based Americana Rock & Roll band that plays a mix of originals written by singer/songwriter Doss Church, along with a wide range of crowd-pleasing cover songs. Doss Church is a seasoned songwriter who fuses soulful, heartfelt vocals with warm, expressive acoustic guitar. His deeply storied, personal lyrics are filled with hope found and love lost. The Unholy Noise combines Americana, Country, and Folk Rock influences that range from the 60’s to today and delivers a sound that feels both new and old at the same time. The honest songwriting, veteran musicianship, and electric stage presence of the entire group make for a truly moving live performance.
