Highlands Soundtrack

The sounds of Friday Night Live and Saturdays on Pine are Highlands’ official Summer Soundtrack. Everyone is invited to these free concerts.

If you’ve been around Highlands long enough, you’re still carrying memories of the halcyon nights at Helen’s Barn, when everyone was invited to take in the bluegrass sounds or witness local cloggers or join in a joyful square dance.

For the 21st century, the beat goes on with the Outdoor Concert Series, held downtown, May through October.

From now through October weekends, tuck your lawn chair under one arm, snacks under the other, and head out to Friday Night Live and Saturdays on Pine.

The 2023 Friday Night Live concerts take place at Highlands Town Square from 6:00 to 8:30 P.M. Saturdays on Pine crank up at 6:00 P.M. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, and close at 8:30 P.M.

Here’s what’s in store for August:

The Well Drinkers take the stage on Friday, August 4. They’re a progressive, original bluegrass and Americana band based out of Western North Carolina. The group doesn’t shy away from combining jazz, Cajun, classical and reggae into their traditional repertoire.

On Saturday, August 5, Soulution brings its irresistible sound to Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Individually, its members have earned Grammy nominations, toured across the country and even internationally with Grammy winners, and have been trusted by some of Pop music’s biggest names to put on amazing shows in front of massive crowds. From yesterday’s Motown to today’s Pop is the best way to describe their style and song selection that keeps everyone from young to old happy and dancing.

On Friday, August 11, it’s local favorites Nitrograss at Town Square. The percussive banjo of two-time national champion Charles Wood lays the foundation for the band’s unique style. Merging traditional Scruggs-style banjo with rhythmic motifs reminiscent of ZZ Top and the Allman Brothers, Charles’ playing is also melodic in its sensibility with pure, driving syncopation. Next is the lock-chop of Caleb Hanks’ mandolin, from which occasional melodic passages erupt with fire and sensitivity. Micah Hanks offers an intuitive array of acoustic guitar parts that are both anticipatory and improvisational, with the two brothers layering their strong vocal harmonies over the mix in a sonic separation that could make a Kentucky moon rise on demand. Finally, the backbeat of Dakota “Smoky” Waddell’s bass lines pushes the music of this Southeastern powerhouse into a foray beyond the frontiers most acoustic musicians will dare travel.

Join Full Circle at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Saturday, August 12. Full Circle was formed in 2003 and is about those songs you used to love with great vocals, tight harmonies, and jammin’ solos.

On Friday, August 18, join Silly Ridge at Town Square. Silly Ridge is a Highlands-based troupe that offers an eclectic blend of americana, bluegrass, folk music, and brings fun, energy, and toe-tapping music to any event throughout the Highlands – Cashiers Plateau. The band showcases the talents of Knight Martorell (banjo, harmonica, harmony vocals), Dave Mueller (mandolin and lead vocals) and David Crisp (guitar and lead vocals).

On Friday, August 25, you’re invited to dance with abandon with Southern Highland Band. The heart of Southern Highland Band are life-long friends and business partners Tom Nixon and Dean English, who are the proprietors of Blue Ridge Music in Clayton, Georgia. As accomplished musicians, they play a large variety of music spanning across almost any genre, with an emphasis on their Bluegrass roots.

There’s plenty more to rock your Friday and Saturday nights this season, so keep an eye on the local calendar, visit highlandschamber.org, or call (828) 526-5841.