Banned From Utopia with Paul Green Rock Academy: WE LOVE ZAPPA Tour
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLYLIMITED NUMBER OF VIP MEET AND GREET TICKETS AVAILABLEBANNED FROM UTOPIABanned From Utopia featuring legendary Frank Zappa alumni Ray White, Bobby Martin and Scott Thunes, will be touring North America with The Paul Green Rock Academy this summer starting in July! The We Love Zappa Tour celebrates the music of Frank Zappa from all eras! Banned From Utopia was formed in 1994 to keep the true spirit of Frank Zappa’s music alive. Covering a variety of Zappa songs, the ensemble lovingly recreates the eclectic virtuoso approach of their former band leader.Ray White – vocals, guitar One of the most powerful and distinctive voices that ever graced a Zappa vocal, Ray White. Ray White’s distinctive, powerful voice was first heard interpreting Zappa’s music in 1976. From that beginning, he became an integral member of Frank’s band through 1984, and can be seen on the DVD recorded the summer of that year in New York, “Does Humor Belong In Music?” A former member of the Edwin Hawkins Singers gospel group, he also brings a solid R&B guitar style to the blend, both as a rhythm player and as a soloist. Looking towards future creative endeavors with Banned From Utopia, Ray is also a gifted writer and lyricist Robert Martin – vocals, keyboards, saxophone, French horn Keyboards, horns, and of course, the voice that always made Frank smile, Robert Martin brings it all. Robert (Bobby) Martin joined Frank Zappa in 1981 and sang and played various instruments on every tour from then on, through the final tour in 1988. In addition to the diverse sonic palette Robert brought to the band with his multi- instrumental skills, Zappa relied heavily on Robert’s unique vocal power and range to enhance the variety of musical styles Frank explored in all his performances. In any moment, Frank might switch from heavy metal to classic Doo Wop, or anything in between, and Robert would be right there. Scott Thunes – guitar, vocals Scott Thunes played with Zappa’s band from 1981 to 1988, and plays on such albums as “The Man From Utopia”, “Them or Us,” “Broadway the Hard Way,” “You Can’t Do That on Stage Anymore,” “Does Humor Belong In Music?,” “The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life,” “Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention,” “Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch,” “Make a Jazz Noise Here,” and “Guitar,” a double-album compilation of Zappa’s live guitar solos. His most prominent bass performance can be heard on Frank Zappa’s “Valley Girl,” which peaked at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100.also featuring: Robbie Mangano – guitar, vocals / Jamie Kime – guitar / Joel Taylor – drums THE PAUL GREEN ROCK ACADEMY The Paul Green Rock Academy (PGRA) is the latest music program from School of Rock founder Paul Green. From the very beginning of his teaching career Paul has taught the music of Frank Zappa, calling it “one stop shopping for musical education.” While co-headlong the German Zappa festival Zappanale in 2023 Paul and his students got to see Banned From Utopia in action, and vice versa, and an instant bond was formed between the acts.
OUTPOST: Wallflower Makers’ Market
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE- 10 AM – 2 PM A locally run, BIPOC owned makers’ market focused on supporting artists, growers, and makers in the WNC area. Featuring vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, house plants, fruits & veggies, and so much more!
Madison McFerrin
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLYMADISON McFERRIN Independent artist and musician Madison McFerrin has come into her own. Madison holds a fruitful and robust solo career with three self produced EPs and numerous performances and curatorships across the country and internationally. Madison’s distinct vocal and meticulously layered stylings of a capella and self-harmonizing culminate in work that blends the genres of R&B, pop, soul and jazz, all with a sense of softness. Her genre-bending work has led to Questlove dubbing her early sound “soul-appella,” AdHoc to describe her work as “an oasis of serenity,” and The FADER noting how Madison’s “warm harmonies feel effortless.” The throughline of Madison’s work is independence and she is often looking towards a kind of inner liberation. Whether she is writing about understanding one’s intuition and inner beauty or the cyclical violence of anti-Blackness and sexism, Madison explores how to get free and how to care for oneself along the way. In this, Madison works at the intersection of artistry and community building. She often looks back and honors a Black music canon while creating her own unique style, utilizing her voice as a central instrument and drawing upon lifelong inspirations like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Erykah Badu, Pharell, Missy Elliot, and the Spice Girls. She is in community with other artists, cultural workers, and activists, and has been able to prioritize the work of women and POC in her curatorial tenures at venues like C’mon Everybody, the WNYC Greene Space and the BRIC Jazz festival. The result of Madison’s work is an enduring commitment to finding ways to think better, express ourselves honestly, and nurture a sense of possibility.
Maggie Rose: No One Gets Out Alive Tour
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- LIMITED QUANTITY OF “Maggie Rose VIP Experience Package” TICKETS AVAILABLE, INCLUDING: Ticket to the show, Soundcheck Experience with Maggie Rose (performance + Q&A), Photo Op with Maggie Rose, Exclusive Poster Autographed By Maggie Rose, Commemorative Laminate and Lanyard, Onsite VIP Host. **VIP instructions for the preshow Photo Op and Soundcheck Experience will be emailed approximately 48 hours prior to the event. Merchandise items are collected at the venue during the VIP Experience. If you have a question related to your VIP package, please email [email protected] or call (877) 717-5816. Merchandise subject to change.** MAGGIE ROSE Acclaimed singer/songwriter Maggie Rose has shared her empowering new single, “Underestimate Me.” The galvanizing anthem, delivered with an assured confidence, is the launching pad for an exciting new chapter in Maggie’s musical journey, and her first release with her new label partner, independent powerhouse Big Loud. Maggie has been hailed for her passionate individualism and influences spanning rock, soul, Americana, folk and funk. Her previous lauded studio albums were embraced by the likes of Rolling Stone who declared she’s a “star” and NPR Music who called her a “multi-genre powerhouse,” among others. A respected fixture of the Nashville community (she was recently elected Governor of the Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter and has played the iconic Grand Ole Opry almost 100 times), she has carved out a unique path for herself, refusing to be pigeonholed in any one genre. Maggie comfortably straddles different worlds as evidenced by her dynamic performances at such varied festivals as Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, and Newport Folk Fest. A true road warrior, she has shared the stage with an impressive array of artists including Kelly Clarkson, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Heart, Joan Jett, Eric Church, Gov’t Mule, The Mavericks, Fitz & The Tantrums, and The Revivalists to name a few. Rose is readying some of her most powerful music to date coming soon.FANCY HAGOODFancy Hagood is an artist from Bentonville, AR who now lives and makes music out of Nashville, TN. In 2021 he released his debut album, Southern Curiosity, which was nominated for Best Country Record at The Libera Awards. His follow-up single “Blue Dream Baby,” featuring Grammy Award winner Kacey Musgraves, was released last summer. Fancy’s music has been streamed across multiple platforms over 30 million times. He has garnered the attention of generational artists like Brandi Carlile who called Fancy “an artist to watch,” and Sir Elton John, who asked Fancy to be a guest on his Rocket Hour Radio Show. Elton proclaimed, “We need more people like Fancy.” Later this year Fancy will release his highly anticipated sophomore album.Beyond creating music of his own music, Fancy has written songs for Christina Aguilera, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Anderson East and more. He is the host of Apple Radios, “Hallelujah Radio” and “Trailblazers Radio” which features interviews with a diverse line-up of co-hosts including Jelly Roll, Brett Eldredge, The War And Treaty, Brothers Osborne and many others.
Tep No: Bigger Than God Tour
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLYTEP NOTep No is a chill pop artist based in Hamilton, Canada. Straight from his debut in 2014, Tep No established himself in the chill electronic pop lane with his tasteful production and unique vocals. In 2015 he released his breakthrough hits, “The Last Ones Standing” and “Pacing” which catapulted him to millions of listeners across the world and led him to signing with Ultra Records. From there he continued to release chill pop hits such as “The Best Crew,” “Toluca Lake,” and “Breathe, Be Happy.” Over the course of his career he has accumulated nearly 500 million streams on Spotify and only more recently has started to bring his live set to fans across North America with sold out shows in 2022 and 2023 in Denver and Los Angeles respectively.His music can be heard in yoga studios, coffee shops, beach side restaurants, trendy hotel lobby’s, and many other places. His debut North America tour kicked off in July 2023 to massive success, with shows across the US, Canada, and even one stop in London UK. At the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024 he supported BoomBox on their tour across the US. In January he released his 5th studio album, Do Ya, and announced his Bigger Than God US Tour..
Wayne “The Train” Hancock
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYWAYNE HANCOCKWayne Hancock has more Hank Sr. in him than either I or Hank Williams Jr. He is the real deal.” – Hank III “Hancock, who tosses out a roots mix of old country, roadhouse blues, western dance swing, boogie bop, and straight-up rockabilly, takes what was once old and makes it seem like it’s always been and always will be.”—allmusic.com “The country music scene could do with a lot more characters like Wayne, who push the music’s limits while staying truer to its roots than any well-known names associated with the genre today.” – Slug Magazine Since his stunning debut, Thunderstorms and Neon Signs in 1995, Wayne “The Train” Hancock has been the undisputed king of Juke Joint Swing–that alchemist’s dream of honky-tonk, western swing, blues, Texas rockabilly and big band. Always an anomaly among his country music peers, Wayne’s uncompromising interpretation of the music he loves is in fact what defines him: steeped in traditional but never “retro;” bare bones but bone shaking; hardcore but with a swing. Like the comfortable crackle of a Wurlitzer 45 jukebox, Wayne is the embodiment of genuine, house rocking, hillbilly boogie. Wayne makes music fit for any road house anywhere. With his unmistakable voice, The Train’s reckless honky-tonk can move the dead. If you see him live (and he is ALWAYS touring), you’ll surely work up some sweat stains on that snazzy Rayon shirt you’re wearing. If you buy his records, you’ll be rolling up your carpets, spreading sawdust on the hardwood, and dancing until the downstairs neighbors are banging their brooms on the ceiling. Call him a throwback if you want, Wayne just wants to ENTERTAIN you, and what’s wrong with that? Wayne’s disdain for the slick swill that passes for real deal country is well known. Like he’s fond of saying: “Man, I’m like a stab wound in the fabric of country music in Nashville. See that bloodstain slowly spreading? That’s me.” Little known fact: Wayne is the only Bloodshot artist to have had their CD taken aboard a space shuttle flight. “A rare breed of traditionalist, one who imbues his retro obsessions with such high energy and passions that his songs never feel like the museum pieces he’s trying desperately to preserve.” —AllMusic.com HEARTS GONE SOUTHHearts Gone South plays original, old style country and honky tonk full of heart and soul, laced with wit and woe. Bringing fire and feeling to the age old stories of love, loss, heartache, and victory for the underdog. Entertaining audiences from Asheville to Alaska, Hearts Gone South has a “vintage sound with modern production values” Their catalog is a range of barn burners with smoking leads, to tear soaked ballads, and everything in between.Hearts Gone South is JP Parsons – tele, acoustic guitar, and harmonies, Ian Wade – electric bass, upright bass, and harmonies, Scott Thomas- Drums, Silas Hamilton – pedal steel, Tricia Tripp – lead vocalist and song writer. The band is based in Asheville, with members living in Asheville, Bristol and Shelby. They ride back and forth across the mountain range to bring their absolute best to the stage.
Eliza McLamb
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYELIZA McLAMBListening to Eliza McLamb lilt her vivid, carefully-placed lyrics rife with empathy, emotion, and sensitivity, you get the sense that this is an artist who takes her time. Her earliest releases were recorded in a laundry shed, with little else but her voice and a guitar. Now, with the help of producer Sarah Tudzin (aka illuminati hotties), her sound has opened up into gut-wrenching riffs and lush, full soundscapes — but that original intimacy remains, unwavering and unshakeable even as the sonic world around her expands. While her audience connects deeply with the experiences and emotions put forward in her work, McLamb isn’t performing for the observer: her creative process is a personal practice that borders on spiritual. She’s been writing songs since she was six, and never really expected anyone to listen except herself. Even as her work spread to millions of viewers online, she never divested from her belief in art as a personal — almost therapeutic — act. The fact that her intimate anxieties and experiences can resonate so deeply with so many strangers only confirms the philosophy that runs through her oeuvre: that strong emotions are what connect us all to each other, and that we’re all a lot more connected than we may think. McLamb doesn’t write her music to be gospel — to her audience, it’s something more like a mirror. When you connect with what she writes, you’re really using her writing as an intermediary to connect with yourself. Her work encourages you to self-reflect, accept sensitivity, embrace connection, and perhaps most of all, feel as deeply as you possibly can. MINI TREES Lexi Vega, better known by her stage name Mini Trees, is an American indie rock musician based in Los Angeles. She has toured with Julien Baker as well as Tasha, Briston Maroney, Hovvdy, and Deep Sea Diver. Lexi Vega.
New Year’s Eve with…THE BLUE RAGS!
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLYTHE BLUE RAGSThe Blue Rags are a revivalist, ragtime boogie-woogie band from Asheville, North Carolina. The band released two albums on the trendsetting Sub Pop label – 1997’s Rag-N-Roll and 1999’s Eat at Joe’s – and toured extensively in the late 90’s. The band’s sound, sometimes described as “punk ragtime,” was an early influence on artists such as The Avett Brothers and Old Crow Medicine Show.ANDREW SCOTCHIE Through consistent heartfelt releases, year round touring and active charity work, Asheville N.C. native Andrew Scotchie is a celebrated creative force. His unique brand of rock n roll, blues and Americana has an unmatched sense of urgency and unifying social commentary. Rock-n-roll ain’t dead and gone. Quite the contrary, truth-be-told. The purity and rebellious nature of rock music in the 21st century has circled back to the underground where it all exploded from decades ago — back to the “you had to be there” moments of melodic bliss, of sweat and serenity only found in the presence of soaring six-string riffs and thunderous percussion ’round the midnight hour. For over a decade, Andrew Scotchie has carved out his place as one of the premier rock-n-blues artists in Asheville and greater Western North Carolina. In a Southern Appalachian town known for Americana, bluegrass, and mountain music, Scotchie has emerged from the depths of the city to become a bonafide rock ambassador for this new, unknown, and promising chapter of the genre. On his new album, “Love Is Enough,” Scotchie joins forces with Abingdon, Virginia, multi-instrumentalist Logan Fritz. Captured at Classic Recording Studio in Bristol, Virginia, the duo strips it all down with a raw, snarling attitude, one which seamlessly traverses the vibrant, sonic landscape of rock, blues, and soul. The seven-song LP is purposely up front and in your face, this message of connectivity, compassion, and camaraderie amid a world gone mad — the signature message Scotchie has channeled and championed since the beginning of his musical journey. And, in many ways, “Love Is Enough” is a full-circle album for Scotchie, seeing as this latest release provides a moment to pause and reflect, to look over his shoulder at the road to the “here and now,” only to turn his gaze back down the road of one’s intent. It’s this hell or high-water path of hard knocks and hard pavement, the unrelenting will within to never give up on the sacred dream — that passion and persistence of the human spirit still at the core of rock-n-roll.
Robbie Robertson’s Last Waltz
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYALL ABOARD RECORDS PRESENTS ROBBIE ROBERTSON’S LAST WALTZ The Last Waltz is a 1978 concert film by Martin Scorsese that documents The Band’s last concert at Bill Graham’s historical San Francisco concert hall, Winterland. With the BRAND NEW project, “Big Pink” 45 years later, the finest musicians in AVL will pay homage to the legendary concert and the passing of visionaire and band leader Robbie Robertson. Presented by All Aboard Records on Nov. 22nd, 2023, at The Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC. The film is about the joy of live music. It was the Band’s last concert together and marked the end of their touring life. @allaboardrecords project Big Pink and Big Benefit Band supergroup will be joined by more than a dozen special guests, including Ed Jurdi (Band of Heathens), Jack Mascari; Members of Velvet Truckstop, Marcus King Band, The Steep Canyon Rangers, JLloyd Mashup, Travers Brothership and Abby Bryant & The Echoes. Also, starring Joe Medwick, a contemporary of Garth Hudson and The Band. Featuring: @jack_mascari @abbyandtheechoes @bryansolleveld @velvettruckstop @dorseyparker3 @thewarrenhaynes @marcuskingband @thejustinkjohnson @jlloydavl @kyletravers_official @the_band_official_ @martinscorsese_ @steepcanyonrangers @nickyfiddle @joe_medwick @officialgarthhudson @dorseyparkersbigbenefitband @kevinfuller_ @ashleyheathmusicofficial @melissamckinneymusic @de_bsand @thewolfsjaw @goldrosestories
Ho Ho Ho Down XII ft Jaime Wyatt, Susto String Band and more!
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYNEW WEST RECORDS AND NORMALTOWN RECORDS PRESENTHo Ho Ho Down is an annual charity concert / Xmas party that is making its Asheville debut this year! This year’s event at The Grey Eagle on December 8th features Jaime Wyatt, SUSTO String Band (feat. Holler Choir), The Pink Stones and Julia Sanders, with proceeds from the evening going towards Beloved Asheville. The Ho Down began 12 years ago in NYC (the first four years were at Gramercy Theatre), and since then has traveled to Atlanta, Houston, Athens, Austin, Chattanooga and Greenville… past performers include Futurebirds, J Roddy Walston & The Business, Washed Out, 49 Winchester, Black Joe Lewis, Delicate Steve, The Deslondes, New Madrid, Seratones, Daniel Romano and more.
