Seth Walker (Album Release Show)

Among the most prolific artists on the Americana scene today, Seth Walker is a multi-dimensional talent who combines a gift for melody and lyric alongside a rich, Gospel-drenched, Southern-inflected voice with a true blue knack for getting around on the guitar. With his 12th studio album Why The Worry, Walker further builds upon this reputation. 

Set straight by the title’s mantra, Why The Worry finds the veteran singer-songwriter letting go of the worry about perception, the worry of over-preparation, and the worry that seeps in constantly from the news and noise of everyday life. Taking a page from Willie Nelson, Walker embraced the country music legend’s sage wisdom, “I’ve never seen worry accomplish anything, so I decided not to do it.” Indeed, the album was just about finished when Hurricane Helene hit Walker where he lives in the mountains around Asheville, and as a result, the record almost didn’t see light.  As catastrophe took shape, the album’s importance wavered in his mind until the central theme came back into view. The worry wouldn’t undo any damage, and there was still service in song.

Growing up on a commune in rural North Carolina, the son of classically trained musicians, Walker played cello long before discovering the guitar in his 20s. When his introduction to the blues came via his Uncle Landon Walker, who was both a musician and disc jockey, his fate was forever sealed. Instantaneously, Seth was looking to artists like T-Bone Walker, Snooks Eaglin, and B.B. King as a wellspring of endless inspiration. The rest is history. He’s released twelve albums, broken into the Top 20 of the Americana Radio Charts, reached No. 2 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart and received praise from NPR, American Songwriter, No Depression and Relix, among others.

Prior to relocating to Asheville in 2020, Walker did stints residing in Austin, New Orleans and Nashville. He’s used those experiences wisely, soaking up the sounds and absorbing the musical lineage of these varied places. With a bluesman’s respect for roots and tradition, coupled with an appreciation for—and successful melding of—contemporary songwriting, Walker sublimely incorporates a range of styles with warmth and grace. Perhaps Country Standard Time said it best: “If you subscribe to the Big Tent theory of Americana, then Seth Walker—with his blend of blues, gospel, pop, R&B, rock, and a dash country—just might be your poster boy.”

5J BARROW

From the historic Apollo Theater to the open air of Washington Square Park, 5j Barrow has inspired audiences with soulful music, evocative imagery, and lyrics that tug at the heart. Founded by Eryn Murman and Jason Hite in the fall of 2011 in NYC, 5j Barrow was named “Best Band in NY” after winning The Greene Space WNYC/WQXR’s ‘Battle of the Boroughs 2014’. They’ve built a loyal following on the streets of the city and touring North America with performances that are both intimate and rousing. 5j Barrow released their debut album From the Dim Sweet Light in 2014, and their first two installments of three upcoming EPs produced by Grammy nominated David Mayfield, were released October 6th, 2017 titled The Journey, Vol. 1 and May 19th, 2018 The Journey, Vol. 2.  Volume 3 is due to release in 2019.  They are now based out of Asheville, NC.