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FESTIVAL GUIDE

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17th ANNUAL

Welcome HOME, Friends!

Welcome to the 17th annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion! As you walk down State Street this weekend, I would invite you to pause for a moment and picture Bristol in 1927. Imagine walking side by side with record producer Ralph Peer of the Victor Talking Machine Company as he prepares for what would ultimately become the first recordings of both Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family. It’s been 90 years since those Bristol Sessions were recorded, but the legacy of those recordings can still be felt to this very day. I would urge you to join us on Sunday afternoon as our good friend Cruz Contreras of the Black Lillies leads an all-star jam in honor of the sessions that put Bristol on the music map. For patrons making a return to the reunion this year, we have heard your voice and brought back a longtime fan favorite — a dance tent that will now be located at the 7th Street Stage. We are also excited to add one of our great local craft breweries — Studio Brew — as a festival venue. From the entire Birthplace of Country Music team, I would like to say thank you to all our sponsors and volunteers. There’s no way we could put on a three-day celebration in two states without your support. I also want to say thank you to our patrons — many of whom buy tickets before a single artist is ever announced. You make our traditional third weekend in September something special. Friends, this weekend let’s dance, smile, and sing loudly! Enjoy this reunion of music-loving people.

Sincerely,

Brent Treash Chairman, 2017 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Committee

BIRTHPLACE of Country Music TEAM BCM BOARD Dan Bieger Larry Gorley Edd Hill Larry Kirksey Emily Lee Keith Liskey Kevin Mumpower Rob Nicar Lea Powers Danielle Starnes Ed Stout Brent Treash Craig Turner Nita Vollmer Janet Woolwine

FESTIVAL COMMITTEE Artist Hospitality Artist Merchandise Atmosphere Concessions Green Team Logistics Music Security Souvenirs Vendors Volunteers City of Bristol VA Rep City of Bristol TN Rep Festival Chair

Terri Davis Jody Mondrage Tara Russo Gwen Talley Sarah Tollie Terry Napier Dave Stallard Charlie Phelps Angela Costagliola Ashley Greever Larry Denney Doug Fleenor Margaret Feierabend Brent Treash

Memoriam

Stanton Anno Charles Earhart Agnes Jones Randall Jones

BCM STAFF Scotty Almany Charlene Baker Erika Barker Tracey Childress Erin Dalton Brett Davis Kim Davis DeAnna Greene Hannah Holmes Allison Linder Becky Littleton Josh Littleton Landy Mathes Emily Robinson René Rodgers Leah Ross Shane Simmons Nathan Sykes Kris Truelsen Jessica Turner Cheryl Wedel

Papa Joe Smiddy Dave Taylor Karen Vaughn

We Dedicate This Year’s Festival To Charles Earhart. This year Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, and our community, lost a very dear friend. Over the years long-time festival committee member and BCM board member Charles Earhart went above and beyond to help shape our event into what you see today. Thank you, Charles, for your dedication. You are incredibly missed. 5

Calendar

of EVENTS Visit BristolRhythm.com for more information.

BLUEGRASS JAM CAMP

SEPTEMBER 12-15 (TUESDAY-FRIDAY) TUE 2PM-6PM, WED-FRI 10AM-6PM LOCATION: JUBILEE HOUSE RETREAT CENTER 822 E MAIN ST., ABINGDON, VA 24210

Jam Camp is designed to give you knowledge, clues, and practical experience playing by ear with others. Gilbert Nelson, along with his expert professional teaching and coaching staff, shows you the way. Most of all he makes it fun! Bluegrass Jam Camp is taught according to the Wernick Method. Advanced registration required.

RADIO BRISTOL PRESENTS: FARM AND FUN TIME SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 6PM LOCATION: PARAMOUNT

Radio Bristol is proud to host a special Farm and Fun Time broadcast during the festival. Featuring Jerry Douglas presents the Earls of Leicester, The Cactus Blossoms, and host band Bill and the Belles, this will be a Farm and Fun Time you don’t want to miss. Festival wristband required.

5K ROAD RACE & 2 MILE FUN RUN SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 5K ROAD RACE STARTING TIME: 8:00AM 2 MILE FUN WALK STARTING TIME: 8:05AM LOCATION: ANDERSON PARK 341 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BLVD., BRISTOL, TN

The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 5K and Fun Walk returns once again to downtown Bristol. The race will begin at the intersection of Anderson St. and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

CHILDREN’S DAY

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 10AM–2PM LOCATION: CUMBERLAND SQUARE PARK Our free Children’s Day event at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is a great day of family fun with live entertainment and lots of activities the kids will enjoy. To help celebrate Bristol’s music heritage, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum will provide hands-on activities for Children’s Day attendees including entertainment by Farmer Jason, Jalopy Junction Vaudeville Theater, and Kid Pan Alley, make-take-and-do crafts, and much more!

YOGA ROCKS IN THE PARK! SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 11AM LOCATION: ANDERSON PARK 341 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BLVD., BRISTOL, TN

Join Bristol Yoga for yoga in the park. Bring a mat, your zen, and they’ll do the rest. It’s a beautiful way to start your day! The class is free of charge.

CHILI COOK-OFF

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 12:00PM JUDGING & TASTING 1:00PM WINNERS ANNOUNCED LOCATION: 516 BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC WAY (IN TENT IN FRONT OF MUSEUM)

Join us for the tastiest competition in the Tri-Cities and see if your recipe is the one to beat at this year’s Chili Cook-Off! It’s too hot to handle…the competition, that is! Advanced registration required.

GUIDED JAM

SEPTEMBER 16-17 SATURDAY AND SUNDAY: 12PM-5PM SATURDAY AND SUNDAY: 2PM (JAM CLASS DEMONSTRATION) LOCATION: 516 BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC WAY (IN TENT IN FRONT OF MUSEUM)

FREE! Did you bring your instrument to our festival but feel shy about taking it out and actually playing with other people? You are not alone, even if it sometimes feels that way! Join us for a bluegrass guided jam with the folks from the jam camp!

YOUTH MUSIC COMPETITION

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 10AM LOCATION: THE BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC MUSEUM

The Birthplace of Country Music will host the 4th Annual Youth Music Competition at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. The competition is open to youth ages 5-18 playing the banjo, fiddle/violin, guitar, mandolin, or ukulele. Bands are also welcome in the competition. Advance registration required.

BRISTOL RHYTHM TRIBUTE TO THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 5PM LOCATION: STATE ST. STAGE

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion pays tribute to the 90th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions with a once-in-a-lifetime special showcase featuring an array of renowned talent. Curated by Cruz Contreras Celebrating the 1927 Bristol Sessions

Visitor Information FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL

TICKETS

CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER FREE 2017 WEEKEND PASSES: $125 AT THE GATE, INCLUDES BRISTOL, VA ADMISSION TAX INDIVIDUAL DAY PASSES AT THE GATE: FRIDAY $55 | SATURDAY $65 | SUNDAY $50 INCLUDES BRISTOL, VA ADMISSION TAX

GATES OPEN:

Friday 1PM | Saturday 9AM | Sunday 10AM

REUNION POLICIES NO COOLERS. NO ILLEGAL DRUGS. NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL PERMITTED.

Per Bristol, TN/VA City Ordinances, no alcohol or open containers are allowed outside designated, gated beverage gardens or restaurants where alcohol is served. PLEASE drink responsibly for your safety and the safety of others. Those who display inappropriate or sloppy behavior will be asked to leave the festival.

NO PETS ALLOWED.

Service animals are welcome at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and are covered under ADA Laws. Please note that pets and emotional support animals are not permitted. Emotional support animals are not ADA Service Animals.

ADA INFO ADA PARKING: ADA parking is available at Regions Bank (corner of Volunteer Parkway and Shelby Street, Bristol, TN — enter from Shelby Street). Once your state-issued auto identification is verified, you will be instructed where to park. ADA parking is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The Disabled Veterans of America operate the ADA parking area; donations for parking are appreciated. SERVICE ANIMALS: Service animals are welcome at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and are covered under ADA Laws. Please note that pets and emotional support animals are not permitted. Emotional support animals are not ADA Service Animals. GETTING IN AND AROUND: Scooters, wheelchairs, power chairs, and other mobility devices are only permitted for use by those with mobility disabilities. All entrance points into the festival are handicap friendly and wheelchair accessible WHEELCHAIR AND COMPANION VIEWING AREAS: Bristol Rhythm provides reserved viewing areas for patrons with mobility challenges (and one companion) during the festival. A roped off area near or alongside the festival seating area at the eight outdoor stages is reserved for fans in wheelchairs. ACCESSIBLE PORTABLE TOILETS: Accessible portable toilets are located throughout the festival footprint; please refer to the festival map for the closest location. ACCESSIBLE ATMS: Several accessible ATMs are located throughout the festival footprint. COMMENTS, QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: Meeting the needs of our Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion fans with disabilities is a never-ending commitment. In our quest to continually improve accessibility, we ask that you contact us with your comments, questions, and suggestions at info@bristolrhythm.com.

SHUTTLE SCHEDULE FRIDAY: 3:00pm – 1:00am SATURDAY: 10:00am – 1:00am SUNDAY: 10:00am – 8:00pm

SHUTTLE COST: $15 (Covers all weekend) CHILDREN (12 and under) ARE FREE

SHUTTLES WILL PICK UP/DROP OFF PASSENGERS FROM THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: THUNDER MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND (2623 Volunteer Pkwy.) 6.7 mi. DAYS INN (Exit 7, 1014 Old Airport Road, Bristol, VA) 4.8 mi HOLIDAY INN (Exit 7, Linden Dr.) 4.6 mi. HILTON GARDEN INN (Exit 7, 121 Village Circle) 6.7 mi. COURTYARD MARRIOT (Exit 7, Linden Dr.) 4.6 mi. HAMPTON INN (Exits 74A or 74B, W. State St.) 4.7 mi FAIRFIELD INN (Exits 74A or 74B, W. State St.) 4.7 mi BRISTOL MALL (Exit 1) 2.7 mi SUGAR HOLLOW PARK CAMPGROUND (Exit 7, Lee Hwy. Pick up at softball & soccer fields) 6 mi. – Transportation from campground provided by the City of Bristol, VA Cost for Sugar Hollow Park shuttle is $5 per trip. (Festival shuttle wristband does not apply to this shuttle route)

BRONZE

SILVER

GOLD

PLATINUM

2017 Festival Sponsors

A & S Portables Alpha Natural Resources ATMOS Energy AtWork Personnel Services Ballpark Signs BB&T Bolts & Screws, Inc. Cabela’s CGI Citizens Bank Coca-Cola

Brent Fleming Law Office Cavalier Comics Cavalier Pharmacy Cruise Planners Crutchfield Dr. William C. Horne, Jr., D.D.S.

Comfort Systems USA Dan Bieger Attorney Deering Banjo Edward Jones Investments – Rob Simis and Greg Fahn Elliott Lawson & Minor, P.C. Emory & Henry College Ferguson Animal Hospital First Tennessee Bank Highlands Union Bank Holston Distributing

HomeTrust Bank HVAC, Inc. John & Brenda Fincher Kerr-Boswell, Inc./AutoOwners Ins. Key Wood Specialties King University Mike & Karen Spear Necessary Oil New Peoples Bank PennStuart

RTE 23 SPONSORS

Edward Jones Investments – Office Of James Lawson Home Hardwares Jeremy O’quinn Law Office Iron Order Motorcycle Club Powell Valley National Bank

MSHA, Norton Community Hospital Pro-Art Pulitzer Orthodontics Stone Mountain Guns Sykes

Pratt-Triad Packaging Professional Personnel Services, Inc. Rob Nicar Seaman Corporation Shearer’s Foods Inc. Sunbelt Rental The Boot Barn Valis, Inc. Virginia Electric Supply

The University Of Virginia’s College At Wise Walk 2 Campus Wise Country Tourism Wynn Cane

We Thank You! PLATINUM MEDIA SPONSORS

MEDIA SPONSORS

HOST HOTELS

CONTRIBUTORS Appalachian Chiropractic Wellness Center Appalachian Sustainable Development Bristol Golf Carts Campbell Printing Express AV, LLC Jerry Peters Sales KS Promotional Products

La Leche League of Bristol Lowe’s Home Improvement Marsh Propone Revolution Curbside Recycling State Street Brewing Company Southern States Target

l o t s i r B n i e v Belie wn Bristol TN/VA to n w o D c nd Since 2006 u ri o to R is ra e Y y la Making H P , and Live, Work, Shop to e c la P d o o G A

For all downtown events visit:

BelieveInBristol.org Photography courtesy of: Malcolm Wilson, Ben Collins, and Kilâ€™n Time Contemporary Ceramic Studio

BRISTOL BROADCASTING

Reunion Artists

All artists and artist schedules are subject to change without notice. Please download the festival app for schedule updates.

10 String Symphony

SUN. Near Moore 2:45p

AMERICANA, FOLK

Nashville duo 10 String Symphony began as a partnership of mutual admiration – a much-needed creative release valve for Rachel Baiman and Christian Sedelmyer, two five-string fiddle players and veterans of Nashville’s music scene. With the love of the five-string fiddle and its musical possibilities as its focal point, the band’s mission statement was as clear as it was expansive: Two fiddles. Two voices. Epic music.

49 Winchester

SAT. O’Mainnin’s 4:00p SAT. Boderline 9:30p

FOLK-ROCK Sponsored by: Pratt-Triad Packaging

Castlewood, Virginia’s 49 Winchester combines acoustic traditional styles with modern-day influences to create an energetic and melodic blend of folk-rock. The five-piece band signed with Gold Ship Records to release their debut, self-titled album in 2014 and has quickly become one of the most exciting and fastest growing groups on the scene.

Adam Graybeal’s Hillbilly Soul

SUN. Cumberland Sq. 12:00p SUN. Mach Outdoor 4:00p

SOUTHERN ROCK

What if the Grateful Dead hired Parliament’s horn section, Stevie Ray Vaughn to play guitar, John Popper on harmonica, and James Brown to sing? That’s a pretty good start when trying to describe what you get at a Hillbilly Soul show. Deep funky drum beats meet smooth, doghouse bass notes while a shredding harmonica twins with a soaring melodic guitar; add in four-part harmony vocals for an infectious sound that keeps ‘em coming back for more.

Alli Epperson

SAT. Blackbird 2:45p SUN. Shanghai 2:30p

AMERICANA Sponsored by: Holston Medical Group

Alli Epperson is a local singer and songwriter who has performed at a number of regional venues and events including Fun Fest and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. She started playing guitar after being inspired by local musicians and is now introducing people to her own sound and songs that tell stories of her life journey.

Amanda Shires AMERICANA

SAT. State Street 8:00p SUN. Paramount 12:00p

Amanda Shires began her career as a teenager playing fiddle with the Texas Playboys. Since then, she’s toured and recorded with John Prine, Billy Joe Shaver, Todd Snider, Justin Townes Earle, Shovels & Rope, and most recently, her husband Jason Isbell. Along the way she’s made three solo albums, each serving to document a particular period in her life while improving on the perceptive qualities of the previous record. With My Piece Of Land, you get the sense that Shires has reached a personal pinnacle. This album is the creative milestone suited to accompany the recent milestones in her life: becoming a mother, developing into a true artist, and finally finding a home.

The Amateurs

FRI. State Street 5:00p

U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (Virginia) and Lamar Alexander (Tennessee) reach across the aisle and bring the party down from the Hill for a jam session on the state line! Multi-instrumentalist Alexander honed his talents as a classical pianist at a very young age. Kaine is a self-taught harmonica player known for impromptu performances at venues across Southwest Virginia and beyond. Don’t miss the opportunity to see these distinguished gentlemen united at Bristol Rhythm 17!

American Aquarium

SAT. Cumberland Sq. 5:00p ALT-COUNTRY Wolves, American Aquarium’s latest album, represents a departure from

the band’s signature twang, instead drawing more from the alternative rock sound that inspired their name almost a decade ago. The album blends the twang of the pedal steel with the dark, dirty swirl of two electric guitars, creating a sound that’s fit for the roadhouse, the honky tonk, and the dive bar.

Amythyst Kiah SOUTHERN GOTHIC Sponsored by: Holston Medical Group

FRI. Blue Plate Special 6:00p FRI. Theatre Bristol 10:00p (solo) SUN. Piedmont 1:00p

A professed Southern Gothic, alt-country blues singer-songwriter based in Johnson City, Tennessee, Amythyst Kiah’s commanding stage presence is only matched by her raw and powerful vocals. Provocative and coolly fierce, Kiah’s ability to cross the boundaries of blues and old time through reinterpretation is groundbreaking and simply unforgettable. Amythyst is fresh off tour with The Indigo Girls!

Annabelle’s Curse ALT-FOLK Sponsored by: Holston Medical Group

SAT. 7th Street 6:30p SUN. Paramount4:00p

Since forming in 2010, Bristol’s own Annabelle’s Curse has toured extensively, developing a devoted fan base throughout the southeast and mid-Atlantic, and supported acts such as Anderson East, The Black Lillies, HoneyHoney, and Humming House. The band has been a staple at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and has also performed at Floyd Fest, Rhythm and Blooms, Rooster Walk, and Music City Roots.

Annie Robinette AMERICANA

SAT. Boderline 1:30p SAT. Studio Brew 6:00p

Annie Robinette’s lyrics are direct and visual, intelligent, and relevant. Her sound is uniquely her own, delivered with power, emotion, and intensity. The music is sophisticated without being complicated and has a firm acoustic texture with just enough electricity. Her voice is powerful yet easy on the ear and polished without losing the raw connection with the performance. It’s the perfect vehicle to deliver stories within which you’re bound to find a piece of yourself.

Available at the Corner of 7th & State St.

Reunion Artists Becky Buller

FRI. Mural 7:00p FRI. Paramount 9:30p

BLUEGRASS, AMERICANA

Becky Buller is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and producer who has traipsed the world over performing bluegrass/Americana/roots music to fund her insatiable habit of songwriting. Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have all recorded Buller’s music. In 2016 Buller was recognized as Fiddler Player of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year.

Ben Gilmer

FRI. Blackbird 9:15p

AMERICANA

Ben Gilmer, a Southwest Virginia native and singer-songwriter, has a sound from these mountains, but the miles he has traveled outside of Appalachia ring through each song. He has shared the stage with national artists such as The Head and the Heart and Joe Pug, and has three studio albums. His most recent album, Russell County Fair, was a featured release at both No Depression and American Songwriter.

Beth Snapp AMERICANA

FRI. Theatre Bristol 6:30p SAT. Piedmont 2:30p

Singer-songwriter Beth Snapp might be considered a pop-infused roots musician, but her appeal has little to do with the box of a genre—rather it’s about connection. She flits around between folk, bluegrass, pop, early R&B, and jazz to create a unique sound with one purpose: to serve a story. Snapp highlights the complex emotions that fall on every day moments, and reels the listener in with an “I’ve been there before” kind of sensation.

Bill and the Belles

SAT. Mural 1:30p

EARLY COUNTRY Sponsored by: Mike & Karen Spear

Bill and the Belles continue to play alongside America’s top country and roots music artists as the resident band for Farm and Fun Time, the historic radio program presented by Radio Bristol and the Birthplace of Country Music. Lifelong musicians Kris Truelsen, Grace Van’t Hof, Kalia Yeagle, and Karl Zerfas bring to the stage an uplifting show unlike any other—full of humor, high spirits, and all-around revelry. It’s clear this group shares a rare musical connection and deep love for the music, and their excitement is contagious.

Billy Crawford Band BLUES, ROCK Sponsored by: AtWork Personnel Services

SUN. 6th Street 4:30p

Blues guitar might be associated with Mississippi, Texas, and Chicago, but Bristol’s very own Billy Crawford is creating some noise of his own. For the past three decades he has turned his six-string action toward the blues. He’s toured with blues artist Deborah Coleman and continues to be one of the most sought-after blues acts in the region.

Billy Strings AMERICANA

SAT. Cumberland Park 3:00p SAT. Mural 6:00p

Whether sharing stages with acoustic music royalty, crisscrossing the nation playing as a solo artist, or performing high-energy, jaw-dropping sets at festivals, the reaction to Billy Strings tends to come in two varieties: “Who is this guy?” and “That kid can play!” The proficient guitarist and singer has been invited to play with Del McCoury, David Grisman, Sam Bush, The Infamous Stringdusters, and more. He’s also earned coveted spots at Merlefest, Pickathon, and the High Sierra Music Festival. In 2016 he took home the IBMA’s Momentum Awards Instrumentalist of the Year for guitar, banjo, and mandolin.

The Black Lillies

SAT. Cumberland Sq. 8:45p

AMERICANA

The Black Lillies’ story is one of hard work and highway miles; a story that traces their evolution from a group of friends making music in songwriter and front man Cruz Contreras’s living room into what is now one of Americana’s biggest success stories. This internationally renowned band of roots-rockers is armed with songs that blur the boundaries between folk, soul, red dirt country, blues, and jazz.

Brew 4:00p The Bones of J.R. Jones SAT.SAT.Studio Piedmont 8:30p

FOLK-ROCK Sponsored by: Edward Jones—Rob Simis & Greg Fahn

Blues singer and instrumentalist Jonathon Linaberry incorporates elements of old-time folk and modern rock into the all-encompassing persona of The Bones of J. R. Jones. In his hypnotic live show, he operates as a one-man band—playing guitar, drums, and singing in unison, creating the feeling of a raucous blues band with more immediacy. Steak 3:00p Boots on the Ground SAT.SUN.QuakerBoderline 1:00p Bluegrass Band

BLUEGRASS

Although young, Boots on the Ground Bluegrass Band brings a wealth of knowledge and experience playing traditional, high-energy bluegrass and bluegrass gospel music. Band members have won top awards and have played with some of the best musicians in bluegrass music today. The band is also a fixture on the regional music scene and festival circuit.

Breaking Tradition

SUN. Stateline 12:30p SUN. Piedmont Station 4:00p

BLUEGRASS, GOSPEL Sponsored by: Mike & Karen Spear

A four-piece bluegrass band, Breaking Tradition brings high energy, tight harmonies, and capable musicianship to every performance. Playing together for over 17 years, the band continues to bring traditional bluegrass gospel music to their fans throughout the Tri-Cities. Band members include Lester Parks, Hal Boyd, Trever Bartley, and Dan Carty.

Reunion Artists Briana Atwell

SAT. Shanghai 4:45p SUN. Mach Indoor 5:00p

AMERICANA Sponsored by: Seaman Corporation

Briana Atwell is a singer-songwriter from Pilot Mountain, North Carolina. The young artist is currently 20 years old and has been playing music since the age of 9. In 2015 she released her first CD titled Played These Strings containing 12 original songs.

The Broadcast

FRI. Mach Outdoor 9:30p SAT. 6th Street 4:15p

SOUL, BLUES-ROCK

With a mix of soul, blues, and classic rock arrangements, The Broadcast has shared stages with Mavis Staples, John Prine, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, The Wood Brothers, Brandi Carlisle, Keller Williams, Betty LaVette, and others. In 2015 The Broadcast got “the call” from producer Jim Scott (Tedeschi Trucks Band, Tom Petty), and the band began recording their sophomore effort, From the Horizon, which was released to rave reviews from Relix Magazine, Paste, and Live for Live Music.

The Brother Brothers

SUN. 7th Street 12:00p

FOLK

Identical twins Adam and David Moss are a musical duo unlike most others. Since forming in 2016, The Brother Brothers’ sound has captivated audiences. Often leaning towards the darker elements of Appalachian, klezmer, and bluegrass traditions, their music is laden with close sibling harmonies, compelling songwriting, and imaginative arrangements.

C2 & The Brothers Reed SOUTHERN ROCK Sponsored by: Citizens Bank

FRI. 7th Street 6:30p SAT. Mach Outdoor 7:00p

Hailing from the “Bluegrass State” of Kentucky with a sound as unique and smooth as the region’s beloved bourbon, C2 & The Brothers Reed’s authenticity shines in their studio debut Weigh Station Tour. The Bristol Herald Courier notes: “They feast upon rock’s beggars banquet. An appetizer of Pink Floyd chimes with an entrée of Led Zeppelin and bites of Steppenwolf in the style and scope of C2 & The Brothers Reed. They take a sip of Kentucky and wash it all down with an approach that rocks according to them.”

The Cactus Blossoms

SAT Farm & Fun Time Paramount 6:00p SAT. State Street 4:00p

CLASSIC COUNTRY With their latest release, You’re Dreaming, The Cactus Blossoms have

received much critical praise and been compared to acts like the Everly Brothers. The brother act from Minneapolis lays down pitch-perfect harmonies over a sparse vintage soundtrack that is both simple and lush on their album, which was produced by master “anachronist” J. D. McPherson.

Carol “Torch” TorricelliFRI. Blackbird 5:45p FOLK

SUN. Piedmont 12:00p

Nicknamed “Torch,” Carol Torricelli’s first album Blueprints of My Soul is soulful and sometimes playful original music and lyrics crafted around her acoustic finger-style guitar, offering vignettes of personal feelings and experiences through lyrics and emotions of a melody,

Carson Peters & Iron Mountain

SAT. 7th Street 2:30p SUN. Paramount 2:00p

BLUEGRASS Sponsored by: VALIS, Inc.

At 12 years old, Carson Peters is a seasoned performer playing numerous venues with his band throughout the region. He has also had the honor of playing on national TV as a guest on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Little Big Shots with Steve Harvey. He has been blessed to have a great band—Iron Mountain—to help him entertain audiences performing old-time, bluegrass, and gospel music.

Charlie Parr FOLK

SAT. Near Moore4:30p SAT. Theatre Bristol 7:45p

Charlie Parr has been traveling around singing his songs ever since leaving Austin, Minnesota, in the 1980s in search of Spider John Koerner, whom he found about 100 miles north at the Viking Bar one Sunday night. The experience changed his life and made him more or less unemployable. Now, with 13 recordings and 250 shows a year, Parr—with his resonator-fueled folk songs—has been hailed as “one of the top voices in modern American folk music.”

Charm City Junction

BLUEGRASS, FOLK, AMERICANA

SAT. Theatre Bristol 1:00p SAT. Near Moore 6:15p

Baltimore-based roots group Charm City Junction puts a new spin on old-timey music, carrying the torch of fast-picking bluegrass and toe-tapping Celtic music. Featuring fiddle, clawhammer banjo, the button accordion, and upright bass, this quartet isn’t afraid to take roots music to new places—but always with an eye on tradition.

Chris Jamison

AMERICANA Sponsored by: VALIS, Inc.

FRI. Shanghai 5:30p (solo) SAT. Mach Indoor 9:00p SUN. Studio Brew 1:00p

Travels far and wide have shaped Chris Jamison’s music, from his songwriting start as a teenager living in London to early performances in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Dubbed the “Paul Simon of Texas” by the Austin Chronicle, the Texas native’s songs have been called “sing-along immediate and earworm lasting” (No Depression) and “universal and poetic” (Asheville’s Mountain Xpress). In April 2017 Jamison released his sixth record, Mindless Heart.

SAT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 6 | 6 P M @ PA R A M O U N T C E N T E R

Reunion Artists Chris Knight

FRI. State Street 6:30p

AMERICANA, FOLK

Ten years and five acclaimed albums into one of the most uncompromising careers in American music, the singer-songwriter whose work has been compared to Prine, Cash, and Nebraska-era Springsteen by some of the toughest music writers in America may have finally conquered his most demanding critic of all: himself. Knight has forged the reputation for a stark and often ferocious honesty that led one writer to call his music “where Cormac McCarthy meets Copperhead Road.”

Chris Rose & Angel BLUES, ROCK

SUN. Shanghai 12:30p SUN. Mach Inside 3:00p

Chris Rose & Angel have been a musical duo for three years but have played together in different capacities for more than two decades. Together they bring a unique and powerful sound with just a guitar and a voice. The duo performs genres ranging from blues to gospel to Top 40 hits over the decades while also performing original music.

Chrome Pony ROCK

SAT. Mach. Outdoor 5:00p SUN. 6th Street 12:30p

Embracing the hip-shake and the head-bang—and picking and choosing from punk, psych, garage, world music, and rock-and-roll—Chrome Pony continues to take their songs to new depths of arrangement and dynamism, without a shred of pretense or hesitation. With three records under their belt and hundreds of shows behind them, Chrome Pony released the newest addition to their catalog, Past Lives, in early 2016 and continue down the pavement.

Circus No. 9

PROGRESSIVE BLUEGRASS Sponsored by: ATMOS Energy

FRI. Shanghai 9:30p SAT. Stateline 3:30p SUN. Quaker Steak 3:30p

Based out of East Tennessee, Circus No. 9 is a new progressive acoustic group that embraces the influence of bluegrass, Americana, and folk. The group has appeared on stage alongside David Grisman, Bryan Sutton, and more. With talented musicians Matthew Davis (2016 National Banjo Champion), Thomas Cassell (2016 Rockygrass Mandolin Champion), and Colin Hotz, Circus No. 9 is taking the new acoustic scene by force.

SAT U R DAY, S E P E M B E R 1 6 | 1 1 A M | A N D E RS O N PA R K | F R E E

Reunion Artists Colter Wall AMERICANA

SAT. Paramount 4:15p SUN. State Street 3:00p

A native of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada, Colter Wall’s sound is comprised of resonate and raw baritone vocals, folk and bluegrassstyle guitar and banjo picking, steady kick-drum stomping, and visually provoking, storytelling lyrics.

Cookin’ With Grass BLUEGRASS Sponsored by: ATMOS Energy Corporation

SAT. Piedmont Station 4:30p SAT. Blackbird 8:00p

Based in East Tennessee, Cookin’ With Grass is a bluegrass band steeped in the traditions of our region. The band performs regularly at Shirley’s Home Cookin’, a family-style restaurant in Hampton, Tennessee. The band is comprised of Jeff Sharpe, Andy Blevins, Dan Carty, Josh Hamm, Melissa Mathes, and Chris Mathes.

The Corklickers

OLD-TIME Sponsored by: Rob Nicar

FRI. Mach Indoor 9:30p SAT. Studio Brew 2:00p

The Corklickers are an authentic old-time string band hailing from the East Tennessee-Western North Carolina region. They have been playing together since the mid-1970s, preserving the traditional style of the popular string bands of the 1920s and 1930s. Among the influences in their style of music are The Skillet Lickers, Ernest Stoneman, Uncle Dave Macon, The Carter Family, Charlie Bowman, Dudley Vance, Kyle Creed, and Tommy Jarrell.

Corrina Rose Logston & Jeremy Stephens

SAT. Quaker Steak 1:00p SAT. Blackbird 6:15p

BLUEGRASS

Corrina Rose Logston & Jeremy Stephens are a duo heavily steeped in the sounds of traditional bluegrass and early country music. From heart songs and brother duets of the early Grand Ole Opry era to lively bluegrass tunes and their own original material, their show is sure to keep you entertained.

Cotton Hill

FRI. Shanghai 7:30p

BLUEGRASS

Cotton Hill has its roots in Roanoke and Allegheny Counties in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. The band’s mixture of bluegrass and folk includes several original tunes written by band members, including “Whiskey with Tears,” which was popularized by Town Mountain. You’ll also hear a ghost story song about a true-life frontier hero, Mad Anne Bailey, and more originals as well as popular covers.

Dan Deel

COUNTRY Sponsored by: Virginia Electric Supply

SAT. Stateline 9:30p SUN. Quaker Steak 1:30p

Dan Deel is a singer-songwriter who was born in Pikeville, Kentucky, and was raised in Buchanan County, Virginia. He leans on traditional authentic country with a twinge of classic rock blended in at times. Whether it’s performing his solo acoustic emotional sets or with his energetic band, Deel always weaves captivating, motivational, and even humorous tales with every song he performs.

Dave Simonett

SAT. Cumberland Sq. 7:00p

AMERICANA, ROCK

Playing a bull-bodied, emotionally resonant brand of Americana-infused indie rock, Dave Simonett is best known as one of the founding members of the progressive bluegrass group Trampled by Turtles. Furnace marks a whole lot of firsts for the accomplished songwriter. It’s his first time putting his long-running, popular string band Trampled by Turtles on hiatus to focus all of his efforts on a more personal project. And it’s his first time dedicating an entire record to a single topic—a topic so significant and intimate that he questioned whether or not he should even release it into the world.

David Gans FOLK-ROCK

SAT. Theatre Bristol 2:30p SUN. Near Moore 12:45p

World-renowned radio host of “The Grateful Dead Hour,” David Gans’ “solo electric” performance is likely to consist of several elements: countryblues-style fingerpicking; loop-based improvisations created live in the moment; sweetly-sung ballads, original or borrowed; Grateful Dead songs reinterpreted to suit his voice and guitar; wry observations of the music festival subculture and the larger world; soulful and passionate political commentary; and favorites from the folk-rock canon of the last 50 years.

David Peterson & 1946 BLUEGRASS

FRI. Paramount 6:00p FRI. Mural 8:30p

David Peterson & 1946 capture the essence of why bluegrass was so direct and compelling in its original form, and why we’re still enjoying its complicated reverberations years later. In his music, you can count on hearing the sound of the “Big Bang” itself, and that makes him a worthy part of the American musical firmament.

The Dead Tongues

FRI. Cumberland Sq. 5:30p

ALT-FOLK

Durham, North Carolina’s The Dead Tongues is a project of Ryan Gustafson, a singer-songwriter, musician, and producer. They’ve recently toured in support of Mandolin Orange and Hiss Golden Messenger and have performed at the Newport Folk Festival.

New Location! On the corner of moore St. & State St. 29

Reunion Artists Deer Tick

SAT. Paramount 2:45p SAT. Piedmont 7:30p

ALT-ROCK

Country soul and Delta blues, old-time gospel and hardcore punk, it’s all in there. Each successive Deer Tick record reveals more colors and increased perspective, and while the rave-ups get wilder, the ballads get more knowing and hurt. The long-awaited follow up to the band’s acclaimed 2013 release Negativity will be a double album due to drop September 2017.

Demon Waffle SKA, PUNK

SAT. O’Mainnin’s 9:15p SUN. Mach Outdoor 2:00p

This seven-piece ensemble brings back ska with variations of old school beats coated with entertaining, down-to-earth lyrics. Demon Waffle combines blasting horn lines with ripping guitar tones to create an experience like none other.

The Deslondes ALT-COUNTRY

SAT. State Street 6:00p SAT. 7th Street 8:30p

Based in New Orleans, The Deslondes’ raw, stripped-down sound springs to mind a country-soul hybrid rooted partly in the Texas singer-songwriter tradition, partly on the weathered floor of a Louisiana dance hall. The band’s debut, selftitled album garnered high praise from NPR, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times, among others. The band endeavors to carry on the traveling troubadour tradition and their music production and vocal arrangements are inspired by rhythmic, high-energy, and harmony-driven sounds.

The Dread Scots BLUEGRASS

SAT. O’Mainnin’s 2:15p SAT. Quaker Steak 7:00p

After many years of backing and recording with national and regional acts, Clint and Matthew Hurd, David and Tony Mowell, along with Rusty Ferrell, have come together to form their own band. Their sound is unmistakably bluegrass, but influenced by indie-rock, Americana, and traditional country.

The Dustbowl Revival

SUN. 7th Street 4:00p

AMERICANA, SOUL, MODERN FOLK

While bluegrass, gospel, New Orleans swing, and blues were what brought The Dustbowl Revival together, the band members realized as they began to collaborate more on the road—after touring over 200 dates a year for the last four years—that they were never content to be a throwback band recreating lost eras. When they recorded “Busted,” it was like a door opening. As they charge into 2017, The Dustbowl Revival is ready to bring their new sound—more emotional, experimental, and bolder than ever—to a bigger audience.

Dwight Yoakam

FRI. Piedmont 9:30p

COUNTRY

Dwight Yoakam has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, placing him in an elite group of global superstars. Nearly 40 of Yoakam’s singles have charted, with 14 peaking in the Top 10. He is a 21-time nominated, 2-time Grammy Award winner. In celebration of his critically acclaimed album, 3 Pears, he received the Artist of the Year award at the 2013 Americana Music Honors & Awards ceremony, the most prestigious award offered by the organization.

Ed Snodderly AMERICANA Sponsored by: Rob Nicar

SAT. Paramount 1:00p SUN. Theatre Bristol 2:15p

Ed Snodderly’s voice is the sonic equivalent of an old denim shirt, creased and worn and reassuring. While “folk” doesn’t quite capture Snodderly’s essence—he is more singer-songwriter steeped in country and bluegrass— he is nevertheless finely tuned to the eccentricities of traditional music.

Elliot Root

SAT. Piedmont 3:30p

ALT-ROCK

Based in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, Elliot Root has released two EPs and toured with Dwight Yoakam in the spring of this year. The band is steadily becoming one of the most watched new acts in Music City and beyond.

Empty Bottle String Band OLD-TIME Sponsored by: Pratt-Triad Packaging

SAT. 7th Street 12:30p

The Empty Bottle String Band specializes in playing toe-tapping, highly danceable traditional Appalachian music and is known for upbeat fiddle tunes and feel-good music. Their sound is inventive while staying close to the old-time string band tradition of the 1930s.

Farmer Jason

SAT. Children’s Day

CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT

Farmer Jason is the brainchild of rock music legend Jason Ringenberg of Jason and the Scorchers. He created Farmer Jason to educate and entertain children about farm life and the wonders of nature. Grab a pitchfork, or your guitar, and climb aboard the tractor!

Photo Credit: Todd McLellan

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Reunion Artists Farmhouse Ghost

AMERICANA, FOLK-ROCK Sponsored by: Edward Jones—Rob Simis & Greg Fahn

SAT. Borderline 5:30p SUN. O’Mainnin’s 2:00p

There’s nothing Halloweenish about Farmhouse Ghost. Well, OK, there’s the name. And then there’s their haunting melodies. No tricks but all treats, Farmhouse Ghost aims to haunt with their touch-of-twang style. Call ’em Americana that hangs around for a while, music with substance that isn’t here today and is gone tomorrow. ~ Tom Netherland

Folk Alt.

FOLK, OLD-TIME

SAT. Blackbird 1:00p SAT. Shanghai 6:45p

Folk Alt., Featuring Andromeda “Andi” Strong and Halie Lynn, hail from Southwest Virginia, where they first began making music together at the Wise Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAMs) program. The girls perform traditional Appalachian music while continuing to acknowledge the contemporary influences that surround them.

Folk Soul Revival

FRI. State Street 8:15p

ALT-COUNTRY

Folk Soul Revival’s radio-ready lyrics, driving melodies, and the distinct, velvety vocals of front man Daniel Davis have garnered the band much success with high-profile gigs opening for the likes of Travis Tritt, Jason Isbell, Eric Church, Justin Townes Earle, Dr. Ralph Stanley, and more. Barry Bales (Alison Krauss & Union Station, Earls of Leicester) notes: “I definitely think they have the potential to be as popular and as well received as anybody in Americana.” With a loyal and significant fan base known as “The Congregation,” Folk Soul Revival is certainly well on their way.

Fritz & Co. INDIE ROCK

FRI. O’Mainnin’s 7:00p SAT. Borderline 3:30

Fritz & Co. is a four-piece nostalgic rock-and-roll band from the border of Tennessee and Virginia. With an eclectic blend of archaic structure and modern liberation, Fritz & Co. captures the essence of American rock with a modern twist.

Front Country

SAT. Mural 4:30 SUN. Near Moore 8:00p

AMERICANA

An acoustic band born in the land of tech innovation, Front Country was never going to be accepted as an authentic American roots band out of the gate. Cutting their teeth in progressive bluegrass jams in San Francisco’s Mission District and rehearsing in the East Bay, they learned to play roots music their own way, with the tools they had on hand. In a wood-paneled country dive bar in the shadow of the San Francisco skyline, Front Country forged a sound hell bent on merging the musical past with the future.

The Green Fingers

FRI. Blackbird 7:30p SAT. Quaker Steak 5:00p

ALT-FOLK

The name “The Green Fingers” is a call to musicians worldwide to practice their art every day, to want greatness and to reflect it in their songs, and most of all to have passion and love toward the music created. Those who listen can expect Americana and haunting blues with an underlying nod to the country greats of the 1960s and 1970s.

The Harlow Experience BLUEGRASS Sponsored by: Bolts & Screws Inc.

FRI. Theatre Bristol 8:15p

The Harlow Experience is a bluegrass band consisting of five members who all share the name Harlow. There is Marvin (guitar), his brother Ed (banjo), Marvin’s son Danny (fiddle), and Ed’s son Alan (bass). Nephew Glenn (mandolin) completes the band. This family of musicians has been playing music for decades and enjoy themselves while performing and interacting with audiences. Their performances are always filled with great talent and humor.

Harper and the Bears ALT-ROCK Sponsored by: VALIS, Inc.

FRI. O’Mainnin’s 11:00p SAT. Quaker Steak 11:00p SUN. Borderline 5:00p

Kingsport, Tennessee-based Harper and the Bears want you to dance to the sound of a generation. What began as an experiment to push their limitations has become a spiraling journey into introspection and groove. Through spring-laden rhythms and infectious melodies, veteran songwriter J. G. P. Harper and co-conspirators Chase Garner and Brandon Byington have crafted a singular sound that moves feet and opens hearts.

Hello October

FOLK-ROCK Sponsored by: Pratt-Triad Packaging

FRI. Piedmont Station 7:30p SUN. Quaker Steak 5:30p

Hello October is a rock band that calls Southwest Virginia home. While the band’s songs are not country, bluegrass, or traditional folk in style, their lyrics tell stories with an authentic sound that is also born of the mountain bloodline. Their acoustic sound, combined with electric undertones, delivers a sound all their own.

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Reunion Artists Hiss Golden Messenger

FRI. Piedmont 7:30p

ALT-COUNTRY, FOLK-ROCK A vehicle for singer-songwriter Michael Taylor (M. C. Taylor) and multiinstrumentalist and recording engineer Scott Hirsch, Hiss Golden Messenger’s fusion of classic rock, folk-pop, and sparse blues in various guises has seen Taylor compared to the likes of lo-fi legends Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Bill Callahan.

Hello Stranger ft. Dale Jett

FRI. Mural 5:30p

OLD-TIME, FOLK Sponsored by: HomeTrust Bank

Singer and musician Dale Jett is a third generation member of the legendary Carter Family. Like his grandfather A. P., Jett is a collector of songs. His dedication to the preservation of traditional music, along with his love of Carter Family songs and his admiration for other songwriters is evident in his performances. Jett’s choices are eclectic, and his performances and recordings encompass a unique combination of traditional songs blended with a mix of others that extend the boundaries of conventional country.

The Honey Badgers AMERICANA Sponsored by: AtWork Personnel Services

FRI. Stateline 11:45p SAT. Borderline 7:30p

Comprised of a rotating group of notable Tri-Cities-based musicians, this band’s just crazy—about traditional bluegrass! Throw in a little newgrass, they don’t care! Artistically speaking, they take what they want! Stomp your feet, clap your hands, cut a rug!

Hoots & Hellmouth ROCK, SOUL FOLK

FRI. 6th Street 8:00p SAT. Mach Outdoor 9:00p

Hoots & Hellmouth’s fourth album In the Trees is an effort that feels like an expedition. Through dark tangles of thickets and underbrush, a path winds its way through the density of lived life, finally opening up into a sun-drenched field in which to stretch out, breathe deep and reflect on the journey—weary travelers dressing wounds while wistfully recalling tales of courage and self-doubt, love and longing.

Indighost ALT-ROCK

FRI. Quaker Steak 10:00p SAT. Borderline 11:30p

Indighost is a rock-and-roll band from Johnson City, Tennessee, a modern take on the psychedelic vibes of the 1960s with dirty guitars, stunning live visuals, and a vocally-driven stage show. With moody blues and thick tones reminiscent of desert rock and psychedelia, Indighost delivers a fast-paced, intricate live show.

Reunion Artists The Infamous Stringdusters BLUEGRASS

FRI. Cumberland Sq. 10:45p

In order to survive, everything must evolve—even bluegrass. Enter The Infamous Stringdusters, the very model of a major modern bluegrass band. The band’s seventh studio album Laws of Gravity further proves that their collective whole is far greater than the sum of the band’s individual parts, as the song selection and pitch-perfect performances weighs their appeal to traditional fans against their musical quest to attract new listeners. It’s a balance that comes naturally to the band.

The Jake Quillin Band BLUES-ROCK Sponsored by: Seaman Corporation

FRI. Borderline 9:00p SAT. Piedmont Station 11:00p

Jake Quillin’s music takes the mind to a place immortalized by the late greats of blues and rock-and-roll. Scorching, soulful guitar solos that reach stratospheric heights match Quillin’s melodic and moody vocals. His most recent project, The Jake Quillin Band, is a bluesy, psychedelic take on soul and R&B.

James Meadows

FRI. Stateline 5:45p

COUNTRY

Abingdon, Virginia-based singer-songwriter James Meadows recently completed his second full-length album project in Nashville titled Keepin’ It Real with producer Gary Sadker of Red Ridge Entertainment on Music Row. His first single release “Like a Radio” made the Music Row charts and charted in the Top 80 in February; “Somebody Up There Likes Me” was chosen to be in the 12th Annual Independent Music Awards.

6:00p Jason “Hoss” Hicks FRI. Blute Plate SpecialSAT.Paramount Stateline 5:30p SUN. Borderline 3:00p & His South-Siders

ROCKABILLY

You will recognize the voice of Jason “Hoss” Hicks from the zany skiffers Old Line Skiffle Combo, who have graced the stages of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion on numerous occasions over the years. Hoss has taken his act solo and has brought along some band mates to share his more twangy side of Americana. With the high and lonesome tenor of the early country crooners, the raucous sounds of rockabilly, and a penchant for writing catchy originals that tell some interesting stories, they’re a delight to the ears.

Jerry Douglas Presents Earls of Leicester SAT. Mural 9:30p BLUEGRASS

SAT. Farm & Fun Time Paramount 6:00p

With their second album, Rattle & Roar (Rounder Records), the Earls of Leicester have conjured up a fresh batch of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs songs, delivered with the Earls’ now signature blend of homage, virtuosity, and perspective. The band received Entertainer of the Year at the 2016 IBMA awards.

Jesse McReynolds & the Virginia Boys

SUN. Mural 3:00p

BLUEGRASS

“Mr. Mandolin” Jesse McReynolds is a living legend and elder statesman of bluegrass music. A unique stylist who has influenced several generations of musicians, McReynolds is known in particular for a unique mandolin style he created and popularized called “cross-picking” that involves intricate split string patterns similar to a banjo roll.

Jonathan Vassar & The Badlands

FRI. Borderline 7:00p SAT. Mach Indoor 5:00p SUN. Studio Brew 3:00p

ALT-COUNTRY Sponsored by: Virginia Electric Supply Jonathan Vassar comes from a long line of song poets stretching back to Stephen Foster. His lyrical style has been described as both impressionistic and elegiac. As a staple of the Richmond, Virginia, music scene, he has been writing, performing, and recording for over 20 years. Vassar’s backing band, The Badlands, provide vocal harmony, upright bass, and pedal steel. FRI. Mach Outdoor 11:30p J.P. Parsons & The American Bandwagon

AMERICANA

Hailed by Pick Bristol as “Bristol’s own troubadour,” Bristol, Virginia native J. P. Parsons has been a local favorite for years. With his unique, gripping voice and soulful lyrics Parsons’s music will please your ears while taking you along the journey with him. J. P. Parsons & The American Bandwagon are pleasing audiences everywhere they play.

Judah & The Lion

SAT. Piedmont 9:45p

FOLK, HOP ‘N’ ROLL

An independent band whose success has arrived not on the back of some big-budget major label, but through the band’s own touring, Judah & the Lion have built a large, loyal fanbase on the road. They’ve shared stages with artists like Mat Kearney, Drew Holcomb, and Ben Rector. From the earthy stomp of roots music to the bold bounce of hip-hop, their latest album Folk Hop N Roll casts a wide net—proof that Judah & the Lion, who are now four releases into their career, have developed quite the roar.

JV Squad

R&B, SOUL, AMERICANA Sponsored by: Virginia Electric Supply

SAT. Quaker Steak 9:00p SUN. Shanghai 4:30p

JV Squad has an honest, roots-based, soulful sound that is equal parts rock, Americana, R&B, and soul. People have referred to the band as “mountain soul,” and they have carried that moniker with pride—delivering everything from Stevie to Tweedy, and all points in between.

SATURDAY, SEPEMBER 16 | 10AM-2PM | CUMBERLAND SQUARE PARK 37

Reunion Artists Kacey Buchanan COUNTRY

SAT. Piedmont 6:30p SAT. Blackbird 9:45p

Bristol native and singer-songwriter Kacey Buchanan’s original songs are heartfelt and drawn from life experiences, vulnerable and transparent. It is a lifelong dream and goal to pursue and do what she believes she was created and born to do, write songs that speak to the human heart.

Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show

SUN. Mural 1:30p SUN. Near Moore 4:45p

CLASSIC COUNTRY, BLUEGRASS

Drawing inspiration from country and bluegrass music of the golden age, Karl Shiflett set out more than two decades ago to put together a band that would echo the music that he learned as an aspiring young musician growing up in Texas in the 1960s. Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show began as a program on a local cable channel.

The Kindest People INDIE, GARAGE, PUNK Sponsored by: Marsh Propane

FRI. Stateline 7:45p SAT. O’Mainnin’s 7:30p

The Kindest People, based in Johnson City, Tennessee, has developed an extensive catalog of original songs. As of late, The Kindest People have been booked for a variety of shows within the region and continue to draw crowds with their blend of garage, indie, and punk rock.

Langhorne Slim

SAT. Piedmont 5:30p

FOLK-ROCK The Spirit Moves is a stunning portrait of Langhorne Slim’s life in transition. The “born to

be in motion and follow the sun” rambler found a home in Nashville, and while he’s put down roots in a place, he also finds himself single for the first time in recent memory. The record’s beautiful glimpses of bold beginnings and risks taken create an ode not only to a better life, but to the vulnerability needed to live it.

The Lawsuits ALT-AMERICANA

FRI. Mach Outdoor 7:30p SAT. Stateline 11:30p

For years, Philadelphia’s The Lawsuits have been known for a sound that cannot be pigeonholed into one genre. Moon Son, the band’s second full-length release and Randm Records debut, showcases years of blending influences and sounds to create something wholly their own. They have spent their music careers up to this point dipping their toes in multiple sounds and styles to create this very identity. With a nostalgic nod to the greats of the past and a dash of modern productions and self-awareness, laced with sweeping harmonies, this is The Lawsuits.

Lillie Mae ALT-COUNTRY

SAT. Piedmont 1:30p SUN. 7th Street 2:00p

Discovered by the legendary Cowboy Jack Clement when playing with her family band The Rische’s, Lillie Mae has also spent considerable time as a member of Jack White’s crack touring and recording combo, playing fiddle and mandolin while also lending vocals to such tracks as “Temporary Ground” from 2014’s Grammy-winning Lazaretto. She also joined White on fiddle and backing vocals for a special acoustic performance on A Prairie Home Companion with Chris Thile last October.

Lilly Winwood

FRI. Cumberland Sq. 7:15p SAT. Piedmont 12:45p SAT. Theatre Bristol 9:30p (solo)

AMERICANA Silver Stage, the debut EP from Lilly Winwood (daughter of classic rock legend

Steve Winwood), chronicles the journey through earnest coming-of-age narratives and a sound that—much like her father’s work—offers an English take on traditional American roots music. It brings a blend Bonnie Raitt’s worldweary vocals, My Morning Jacket’s ethereal twang, and Brittany Howard’s bravado to create an EP that pays homage to Winwood’s singer-songwriter idols and establishes the 21-year-old as a writer wise beyond her years.

Lonesome River Band

SUN. Mural 4:30p

BLUEGRASS

Lonesome River Band continues their reputation as one of the most respected names in bluegrass music. Led by five-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Banjo Player of the Year and Virginia Country Music Hall of Famer Sammy Shelor, the group holds a powerhouse lineup of award-winning players including vocalist and songwriter Brandon Rickman on guitar, Mike Hartgrove on fiddle, Barry Reed on bass, and Randy Jones on mandolin and vocals. For over 30 years, Lonesome River Band has continued to set the standard in the bluegrass music world.

Love Canon

FRI. Cumberland Sq. 9:00p

PROGRESSIVE BLUEGRASS “Love Canon doesn’t cover the music of the ‘80s as much as kidnap it and take it on a bluegrass-tinged joyride.” Consisting of six, seasoned virtuoso string players fused by wood and wire, the band has shared stages with David Grisman, Ricky Skaggs, and Bruce Hornsby. They’ve also taken their act to LOCKN’ and Gathering of the Vibes.

Low Cut Connie

FRI. 7th Street 8:30p

ROCK

Philadelphia’s Low Cut Connie has been a rolling DIY caravan with an explosive live act bubbling under the surface of the music industry for five years. With their new release, Dirty Pictures (Part 1), the band moves beyond the drunken bar boogie they have become associated with into a deeper, darker American life.

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Reunion Artists Mama Said String Band FOLK-GRASS Sponsored by: Holston Medical Group

FRI. Piedmont Station 9:45p SAT. O’Mainnin’s 5:45p

Mama Said String Band is a five-piece group based out of Louisville, Kentucky. Their combined musical backgrounds—spanning multiple cultures, styles, and genres with a strong focus on vocal harmony—create a unique medley of sound. They gather influence from bluegrass, folk, alternative, gospel, and R&B.

Mandolin Orange

SUN. Piedmont 3:00p

FOLK, AMERICANA

From Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Mandolin Orange has steadily picked up speed and fans, ones they’ve earned from long stretches on the road, including appearances at Austin City Limits, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Newport Folk Festival, and Pickathon. Their latest album Blindfaller is listed among Rolling Stone’s 40 Best Country Albums of 2016.

Mark O’ Connor ft. the O’Connor Band

FRI. Mural 10:00p

BLUEGRASS

A former child prodigy and national champion on the fiddle, guitar, and mandolin, Mark O’Connor has won his share of Grammys and CMA Awards, and he has collaborated with a dizzying array of iconic artists. The band possesses impressive multi-instrumental abilities that allow the group to explore a wide range of musical configurations. Their latest album, Coming Home, may be one of the most impressive debut albums released by any bluegrass band in a long time; its recent Grammy nod is a testament to that.

Marshall Ballew BLUES, FOLK, ROCK

SAT. Mach Indoor 3:00p SAT. Shanghai 8:45p

Marshall Ballew is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Northeast Tennessee. He currently plays solo shows on guitar, Dobro, banjo, fiddle, harmonica, Hawaiian guitar, and tiple. He performs a heady mix of originals, old-time, blues, bluegrass, jug band, rock, and more.

Mile Twelve BLUEGRASS

FRI. Near Moore. 7:00p SAT. Mural 3:00p SAT. Theatre Bristol 6:00p

Mile Twelve is a fresh, hard-driving band beautifully walking the line between original and traditional bluegrass. Fast gaining recognition for their outstanding performances in bluegrass and folk circles, the band writes captivating songs and daring instrumental pieces from diverse influences. Banjo luminary Tony Trischka said, “Mile Twelve is carrying the bluegrass tradition forward with creativity and integrity.”

Michaela Anne

SAT. 6th Street 2:30p

FOLK-COUNTRY

A staple of the new Nashville scene of progressive indie-country artists, Michaela Anne is a writer with narrative depth and a timeless voice, who can honky tonk with the best of them.

Minute After Midnight

FRI. Piedmont Station 9:15p

POP-ROCK Sponsored by: Holston Medical Group

On the cusp of 2016, American pop-rock quartet Minute After Midnight was formed. Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, the band recorded their highly anticipated debut Matter of Time with producer Cameron Mizell.

My New Favorites

FRI. Mach Indoor 7:30p SAT. Stateline 1:30p

AMERICANA Sponsored by: Holston Medical Group

Award-winning songwriting and top-notch players team up to create an incredibly diverse and energetic Americana sound. Their compelling songs showcase fine harmony singing and are complemented by a mix of traditional and modern instruments to create music that is both familiar and brand new.

Old Heavy Hands AMERICANA, FOLK-ROCK

FRI. State Line 9:45p SAT. Mach Indoor 11:00p

They say appearances are everything, but in the case of North Carolinaâ€™s tattooing troubadours Old Heavy Hands, appearance is a livelihood. Drawing influence from country and rock staples as well as alternative music icons, Old Heavy Hands lives just as comfortably on the record shelf next to Willie Nelson or Neil Young as it does nestled between Lucero and Wilco.

Paul Burch

SUN. Theatre Bristol 12:30p

AMERICANA, ALT-COUNTRY

For more than two decades, Paul Burchâ€™s unique vision of American roots music has attracted characters and collaborators from punk to honky tonk. His latest album Meridian Rising is an imagined autobiography of American music pioneer Jimmie Rodgers and was produced with Grammy winner Dennis Crouch.

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Reunion Artists Paul Cauthen ALT-COUNTRY

SAT. 6th Street 6:00p SUN. State Street 1:00p

Paul Cauthen is on a mission to make music he can be proud of that also serves a higher purpose. Whether it was by heavenly intervention or sheer force of will, he emerged with the mesmerizing full-length debut My Gospel. The album captures a young artist in full possession of a raw virtuosity that must sometimes feel like a burden.

Petunia & The Vipers ROCKABILLY, PUNK, “SWANG”

FRI. Paramount 7:45p SAT. State Street 2:00p

With a piercing gaze, Petunia looks into the collective soul of the audience, then launches into some high and lonesome vocals that conjure up the ghost of Jimmie Rodgers. Not content with mesmerizing the crowd, Petunia’s tapping boot propels the band into a snarling fire and brimstone rave-up as a wave of frantic jitterbuggers compete for space on the hardwood dance floor. One of the many themes running through Petunia’s lyrics relates to living life on one’s own terms—fearlessly and without regrets. This band is one of Canada’s finest punkabilly exports.

Phoebe Hunt & The Gatherers

FRI. Studio Brew 7:45p

AMERICANA

An accomplished Americana instrumentalist with foundations in jazz and swing music, Phoebe makes an impressive creative leap with her latest album Shanti’s Shadow. Hunt has been involved with various musical projects including Belleville Outfit, her sibling duo the Hunt Sisters and The New American Songbook.

Pi Jacobs AMERICANA

SUN. Blackbird 1:00p SUN. Studio Brew 5:00p

Los Angeles singer-songwriter Pi Jacobs plays what she calls an “Americana bluesy rock thing.” Signed to Travianna Records, Pi went to Floyd, Virginia to work with producer and multi-instrumentalist Aaron Ramsey on her latest album A Little Blue, her seventh commercial release.

Pierceton Hobbs AMERICANA

SAT. Shanghai 2:45p SUN. Blackbird 2:45p

Born and raised in Wise and Dickenson counties in Virginia, Pierceton Hobbs is a multi-genre/multi-instrumentalist and an educator for the Wise County JAMS program. Hobbs is influenced by many Appalachian country, blues, bluegrass, and folk musicians including the Stanley Brothers, Dock Boggs, Robert Johnson, Doc Watson, Lead Belly, and Jimmie Rodgers.

Reunion Artists Pigeon Kings CELTIC FUSION

FRI. O’Mainnin’s 9:00p SAT. Studio Brew 10:00p SUN. Mach Outdoor 12:00p

With a lifetime of touring and performance experience between them, musicians Josef Crosby (co-founder of Scythian) and Victor Gagnon (long-time fiddler of Seven Nations) have joined forces to create something new—a sound that’s hard to define but comes from deep roots and deep soul. Pigeon Kings is a true labor of love and passion, and an “insurrection resurrection” for anyone struggling to find their own voice amidst the noise of the status quo.

The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys BLUEGRASS

FRI. 6th Street 6:00p

The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys remain close to their musical roots by cranking out some of the tightest and hardest-driving traditional bluegrass you’ll find anywhere. Whether they’re playing a standard by bluegrass giants Bill Monroe or Ralph Stanley or a new heartbreaking original, there’s an unmistakable energy to it. The hard-driving bass pounds like a jackhammer as it keeps time; the melodic rhythm hooks you deep with the first note and doesn’t let go until the last playful note of the banjo.

Possum Creek Playboys

SAT. Near Moore 12:00p

BLUEGRASS, OLD-TIME Sponsored by: Rob Nicar

The Possum Creek Playboys is a reunion of 15 to 20 musicians from a number of regional bands, including The Swamp Cats, The Corklickers, Sugar Hill String Band, The Rebel Yellers, The Rough Riders, and many more. Their performances are an old-time, fun jam and promise a stompin’ good time to be had by all!

Rainbow Kitten Surprise FOLK-ROCK

FRI. 7th Street 11:00p

Boone, North Carolina’s Rainbow Kitten Surprise takes influences from artists like Modest Mouse and Kings of Leon with distinctive harmonies, dynamic instrumentation, and introspective lyrics. The group closed out 2016 with a streak of 14 sold out U.S. shows from Athens, Georgia, to Boston, Massachusetts.

Reagan Boggs

FRI. Near Moore 5:30p

AMERICANA

Reagan Boggs’ third album, Quicksand, reached 35 on the Americana Music Chart in its third week of release, and it remained on the chart for 20 weeks. Empty Glasses is a follow-up that proves Boggs is an artist that is here to stay. Reagan now has six albums of her own songs under her belt. She is a two-time Mountain Stage performer and will be featured this summer on the PBS broadcast of Song of the Mountains.

Rodney Crowell

SAT. State Street 10:00p

COUNTRY, AMERICANA

Rodney Crowell’s work and career sets a benchmark for commercial success and lifelong artist ambition and integrity in country music. He was Emmylou Harris’s guitarist in her first Hot Band, a young protégé of Guy Clark and Mickey Newbury, a country star and Grammy winner, longtime professional partner and husband of Rosanne Cash, band-mate of Vince Gill and Tony Brown in the Cherry Bombs, an Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award-winner, and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Ron Gallo

ROCK, GARAGE PUNK

FRI. 6th Street 10:00p SAT. 7th Street 11:00p

“Just another millennial guy with large hair trying in earnest to take on the weight of the world; taking passionate and hypercritical walks down city blocks, somehow totally aware and above the illusion, overflowing with informed negativity to destroy the illusion and only feeding it.” ~ Ron Gallo

Ron Short and The Possum Boys

SUN. Stateline 2:30p

AMERICANA, ROOTS Sponsored by: Seaman Corporation Featuring fiddle and Cajun accordion, The Possum Playboys play a lively mix of Appalachian jam band music from “swamp to swing” that sets feet tapping, hips swinging, and people singing! While the musical traditions may be familiar, the songs and interpretations are fresh and new.

Rhythm & The Roosevelts INDIE-ROCK Sponsored by: Seaman Corporation

FRI. Borderline 11:00p FRI. Quaker Steak 6:00p

Rhythm & The Roosevelts first began writing music together in the fall of 2016. Early inspirations included artists that combined soul and modern influences. The band fuses the high energy of rock-and-roll with catchy and memorable melodies to create a unique and fun live show that gets everyone dancing.

Sally & George AMERICANA

FRI. Near Moore 8:30p SAT. Theatre Bristol 4:15p

You could say Sally & George may not exist had it not been for Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. Sally (Della Mae’s Shelby Means) and George (Sol Driven Train’s Joel Timmons) met at the festival in 2012 while performing there. First love, then marriage, then the two formed Sally & George. “Pipedream,” the first track of their debut album Tip My Heart, chronicles the love story that, like so many, began on State Street.

LIVE PROGRAMMING SPOTLIGHTING TODAY’S ROOTS, COUNTRY AND AMERICANA MUSICIANS

Reunion Artists Sam Gleaves FOLK, OLD-TIME

SUN. Mach Indoor 1:00p (with Tyler Hughes) SUN. Blackbird 4:15p (solo)

Wythe County, Virginia native Sam Gleaves performs innovative mountain music with a sense of history, writing new songs in the Appalachian tradition about working people and social issues in the mountain. Sam’s duo with Big Stone Gap, Virginia native and music educator Tyler Hughes features fiddle and banjo hoedowns, close mountain harmonies, stories of all kinds, Carter Family-inspired autoharp and guitar, country gospel songs, lonesome ballads & flatfoot dancing.

Scotty Melton

SAT. Mach Indoor 7:00p

FOLK Sponsored by: Citizens Bank

Early in his career, Justin Townes Earle cited Scotty Melton as “the guy who taught me to write songs.” Melton released Unknown in San Antone in the late 1990s, and the record has since become somewhat of a cult classic. He has also toured quite extensively, opening for Ray Wylie Hubbard, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Malcolm Holcombe, Steve Young, and many others. He also lived for a while at Steve Earle’s house in Fairview, Tennessee, where he often had the opportunity to learn directly from his hero.

The Sheets Family Band OLD-TIME, BLUEGRASS Sponsored by: Marsh Propane

SAT. Mach Indoor 1:00p SAT. Blackbird 4:30p

This western North Carolina band is celebrated for their harmony singing and energetic instrumentals, they embody the values of homemade and homegrown music and lifestyle. Their unique old-time mountain style takes inspiration from the music of the Appalachian Mountains and beyond.

Sigean

FRI. Quaker Steak 8:00p

IRISH, CELTIC Sigean (pronounced SHEE-gun) provides a stimulating mix of traditional ballads, lively reels and jigs, and more modern songs. During the past few years, the band has had the honor of opening for such world-renowned artists as John Doyle and Barbara Dickson.

Son Volt

ALT-COUNTRY, ROCK

SUN. Piedmont 5:00p

Just now pushing 50, Jay Farrar, the creative force behind Son Volt, is still not as old as his voice—not nearly. His singing voice is an ageless gift that sounds something like old timber looks, like the unpainted walls framing Walker Evans’s best portraits from Let Us Now Praise Famous Men: simple, durable, weathered and grooved, and unplanned. Notes of Blue will be the 20th album—including a couple live releases and two movie soundtracks— to which Farrar has lent his voice and songwriting.

Southern Culture on the Skids

SUN. Cumberland Sq. 6:00p

ROCKABILLY

Southern Culture on the Skids has been spreading the rock-and-roll gospel since they formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1983. A greasy mix of surf, rockabilly, R&B, and country-fried garage with a side of psych, it’s “Americana from the wrong side of the tracks.” The band has been prolific and ubiquitous for over 30 years, touring everywhere from the North Carolina Prison System to Mt. Fuji, Japan, and delivering what Rolling Stone calls “a hell raising rock and roll party.”

The SteelDrivers

SAT. Mural 7:30p

AMERICANA, BLUEGRASS If the “blend of soul and slink, blues and country, mountain coal and red dirt,” as Peter Cooper characterized their sound, is timeless, The SteelDrivers have delivered another new classic with The Muscle Shoals Recordings. Fiddle player, songwriter, and singer Tammy Rogers aptly describes the “realness, rawness, and edge” in the band’s sound. With lead singer Gary Nichols having written nearly half of the new songs and Rogers most of the balance, this is the SteelDrivers’ most fully realized album to date and another spectacular step forward.

SUSTO

ALT-COUNTRY

FRI. Piedmont 5:30p SAT. 6th Street 7:45p

SUSTO is a Spanish word referring to a folk illness in Latin America meaning “when your soul is separated from your body.” It also roughly translates to a panic attack. The band’s new album & I’m Fine Today finds them taking the spacey country-rock of their debut into the stratosphere, piling on layers of sighing keyboards, galloping rhythms and frayed, noisy guitar solos atop wistful melodies and lyrics that examine growing up and growing into yourself.

Tellico

AMERICANA

SAT. Mach Outdoor 1:00p SAT. Near Moore 9:45p

Tellico is a fine product of Asheville, North Carolina’s thriving roots music scene, its members well-schooled in bluegrass but with an unbridled, organic “Appalachiacana” sound. Known for their rootsy, authentic singing, as well as the nostalgic yet modern themes of their songwriting, Tellico combines some of the finest voices, songs, and instrumental prowess in western North Carolina and beyond.

Reunion Artists These Are The Angles PROGRESSIVE ROCK

SAT. Stateline 7:30p SUN. O’Mainnin’s 4:00p

These Are The Angles is a progressive indie band born in Johnson City, Tennessee, and consisting of Matthew Carter, Skyler Morgan, Nathan Hawkins, and John Tolliver. The band’s first full-length album Lifeboat, released in May 2016, continues to delight crowds with its diverse sound.

Tim Easton FOLK-ROCK

SAT. 6th Street 12:45p SUN. Theatre Bristol 4:00p

Recently Tim Easton reached the milestone of having 100 published original songs, which he celebrated by releasing 100 solo performance videos on 100 consecutive days, mostly from his home in Nashville, Tennessee, on his personal YouTube channel; he also published a book of 100 lyrics. “Tim Easton is a songwriter’s songwriter,” noted Americana legend Jim Lauderdale.

Tiny Mountains INDIE-FOLK

SAT. Studio Brew 8:00p SUN. Piedmont 2:00p

Zaq Suarez (Hermit Kings, Tiny Things) and Matthew Martin (this mountain, Amythyst Kiah and Her Chest of Glass) combine past band favorites with new material for an intimate acoustic experience.

Tommy Ohs

FRI. Mach Indoor 5:30p

ROOTS-ROCK

Nashville-based multi-medium producer Tommy Ohs is most notably known for performing and recording with the band Bawn in the Mash. His debut—My Old Kentucky Home Recordings—is a low-fi gem combining sound collage, folk, drones, beats, and various experimental tones. Stay tuned for Mariposa Gold, his third and most discerning release.

Tyler Childers

SUN. 6th Street 2:30p

AMERICANA

Following his “Papaw” around to the Kentucky social institutions— church events and barber shops to name a few—as well as a lot of coon hunting with his dad, Tyler Childers has heard a tale or two about the misadventures of a few good ol’ boys. He gives his own spin on these accounts behind a whiskey-soaked voice well beyond his age.

US Navy Band Country Current

SAT. State Street 12:00p

COUNTRY

The United States Navy Band Country Current is the Navy’s premier country-bluegrass ensemble. The group is nationally renowned for its versatility and “eye-popping” musicianship, performing a blend of modern country music and cutting-edge bluegrass.

Vandoliers ALT-COUNTRY

FRI. Studio Brew 9:45p SAT. O’Mainnin’s 11:00p SUN. Stateline 4:30

An alt-country band with punk roots, Vandoliers formed in 2015, bringing together a group of Dallas-Fort Worth musicians who’d already logged more than a decade in their own punk and folk bands. Together, the guys make a different sound, mixing raw, rough-edged roots music with focused, fiery storytelling.

Virginia Ground AMERICANA

SAT. 7th Street 4:30p SUN. Cumberland Sq. 2:00p

“Appalachiaphonic” is the melded, melodic marriage of sound that Virginia Ground has crafted with roots in soul, blues, bluegrass, reggae, country, Dixieland jazz, rock, Americana, swing, funk, and more. The music rolls down from the great mountains of musical traditions that people have brought from around the world and flows through the music of Virginia Ground.

The Way Down Wanderers

FRI. Near Moore 10:00p SAT. Mach Outdoor 3:00p SAT. 6th Street 9:45p

AMERICANA, FOLK-ROCK Equal parts fast-paced and soulful, The Way Down Wanderers draw listeners in with energy, originality, and soulful generosity. The band captivates audiences with soaring instrumentals, foot stomping sing-alongs, and a lively stage show. Their song “Dead Birds” was a competition finalist in the International Song Writing Competition.

The Whiskey Gentry AMERICANA

SUN. Cumberland Sq. 4:00p SAT. Paramount 8:30p

The Whiskey Gentry has been tearing up the road for the better half of the last decade, logging over 150 shows each year and winning over crowds at major festivals such as Shaky Knees, Shaky Boots, Merlefest, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Floyd Fest, and many others. With the release of Dead Ringer, they’ll continue this trend, bringing their raucous, high-energy shows to audiences from coast-to-coast.

S U N D AY, S E P E M B E R 1 7 | 5 P M | STAT E ST R E E T STA G E

Reunion Artists Whiskey Shivers

FOLK-GRASS, ALT-COUNTRY

SAT. Near Moore 2:45p SAT. Mach Outdoor 11:00p

Whether they’re playing at a backyard house party in Texas, a punk-rock dive bar, or a sprawling country music festival, crowds take notice. Austinbased Whiskey Shivers infuse their songs with punk rock energy and a darkly comical lightheartedness, stretching the bluegrass genre to fit whatever they feel is right. For them, being happy is a conscious choice and making fun of life’s struggles is part of their philosophy.

Will Hoge

FRI. State Street 10:00p

AMERICANA

An extremely prolific songwriter with 10 albums under his belt and countless songs written for others (including a Grammy nomination for Eli Young Band’s Number 1 hit, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” co-written with Eric Paslay), Hoge sees this next phase of his journey as an opportunity to explore even deeper into both his country and rock-and-roll roots. Never fitting particularly neatly into a genre box, he’s always just made the music that moved him—but it’s safe to say that he feels more kinship with the country community than ever, particularly as a storyteller.

Wise Old River

FRI. Studio Brew 5:45p

AMERICANA

With a sound best described as eclectic-Americana, Wise Old River blends a variety of influences and instruments that combine tradition with originality. The band’s regional popularity is a testament to its art with well-crafted songs of the human condition, top-shelf vocals, and music that is stripped down, organic, and reverberating down to the soul.

Zach Deputy

SAT. Cumberland Sq. 11:00p

GOSPEL-NINJA-SOUL

Zach Deputy introduced the world to the sound he’d eventually dub “island-infused, drum ‘n’ bass, gospel-ninja-soul.” Thanks to his ingenuity in looping, he made his name as an unforgettable one-man-band live act. His fourth album, Wash It in the Water, dreams up a sunny and soulful new sound that fuses hip hop, funk, and folky-pop with the spirited rhythms of soca and calypso.

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