BLUES GROOVE BEAT BATTLE: FROM BLUES TO HIP HOP– FT. KYRAN SCOTT
Presented by Piedmont Blues Preservation Society & Strangefruit Featuring Kyran Scott + DJ J.Lone
An Evening With: Scott Miller
“Long before co-founding that dapper twangpop outfit [The V-Roys], Miller logged many miles on the singer-songwriter trail as kind of a cross between John Prine and Loudon Wainwright III.” (No Depression) “Scott Miller’s songwriting has always balanced wit with woe.” (Relix) Recently inducted to the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame, fiery roots-rock singer/songwriter SCOTT MILLER returned to his native Virginia to tend the family farm while continuing to release and perform new music informed by that rural area, history, and Appalachia. The Staunton native first made a name for himself in the 90s as guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter with the superb pop/rock band the V-Roys before establishing himself as a gifted and eclectic solo artist, first with his ad hoc group the Commonwealth and later on his own. “[Miller combines] the emotional honesty and intelligence of a singer/songwriter with the swagger and enthusiasm of a rock & roller… a gifted and eclectic solo artist.” (AllMusic.com). As seen on tour with Patty Griffin, Robbie Fulks, Paul Thorn and American Aquarium.
Royal Jelly Album Release Show w/ The Hypnotic Conquest
Greensboro’s own funkateers, Royal Jelly, Royal Fn’ Jelly, Royal Royal Jelly Jelly is will proudly be dropping their second album, Ride Hard on June 20th at the illustrious Flat Iron. This album is a culmination of two years of strapping it up by the bootstraps and getting it done by any means necessary, a funky soup of rockin’ jams, jammy jams and funkin rockin jams made with love, blood and booty sweat. The album features Sandy Blocker on Congas, Bob Keilbasi Powell on Drums, Queen Bee on Vocals, “Uncle Quacker”Jonathan Sale on Bassy, Miggy Twiggy on Guitar, Jordan Mofo Jones on Bone, Shane 18 Wheeler on Saxaphone and Chris boom Pow on vocals and most average guitar. We’ll be playing, laughing a lot and having a bodacious celebration…please come so we can keep buying more stuffed bears! This party will be doubled down with bangingness with the tubular sounds of our favorite psychedelic reggae funkers The Hypnotic Conquest! If you know our history with these cats, you’d know we family! This will be a get down, throw down, come up for the ages—expect the unexpected, you never know who will make an appearance but we always, 100% of the time, have the best friggin time! It’s your chance to dance, $10 at the door, tip your bartender! Much love!”
House Of Fools w/ Fancy Gap
House of Fools is an American rock band hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina. Formed in the early 2000s, the group blends elements of classic rock, indie, and Southern influences to create a sound that’s both nostalgic and fresh. Known for their rich harmonies, energetic live performances, and melodic songwriting, House of Fools released their debut full-length album, Live And Learn, in 2007 under Drive-Thru Records and their self released sophomore album, Versus The Beast in 2012. Over the years, they’ve gained a loyal regional following and continued to evolve musically while staying rooted in their North Carolina origins. Fancy Gap, the debut album by Stuart McLamb (The Love Language) and Charles Crossingham, captures life’s essence in a country-tinged, radio-ready sound. From poignant reflections on life, death, and love to celebrations of joy and triumph, each track delves into universal themes. Their heartfelt songwriting, honed through their experiences, takes center stage. During the pandemic, McLamb and Crossingham retreated to Crossingham’s cabin in Fancy Gap, Virginia, where they nurtured their musical collaboration. Inspired by ’90s radio rock and classic country, they crafted the album over two years, blending their influences into a cohesive sound.
Pony Bradshaw w/ Jesse Fox
Wheatus (acoustic) w/ Gabrielle Sterbenz
Born and bred on an island as densely populated as Montreal just without any of the culture, Brendan B Brown did what Andrew Carnegie did, he beat the odds. Taking the unprecedented decision of forming a band in New York City at the age of 22, Brendan took his father’s nickname of “wedus” and his mother’s penchant for rare fabrics and formed Wheatus. Wheatus became known in some circles as the greatest band to play the Mercury Lounge and eventually signed to Columbia Records who released the first two Wheatus records, kinda. After the major label life and the success of Wheatus’s debut single “Teenage Dirtbag,” Brown continued Wheatus and released five more records before the band’s renaissance would take place after “Teenage Dirtbag” was covered by One Direction. Since then, Wheatus, still led by Brown, has enjoyed a renewed interest with their songs covered by the likes of Phoebe Bridgers, Sza, Jax, Ruston Kelly and touring with such acts as Dashboard Confessional, Living Colour, Everclear, and many more. Brendan B Brown has taken the success in stride and wants you to join the ride. Get in. Join the Dirtbag. GABRIELLE’S BIO: Americana singer-songwriter (and longtime member of Wheatus), Gabrielle Sterbenz, was born into a house filled with Patsy Cline. At school, she sang in a Gospel Choir, hoping to sound like Aretha Franklin. In the evenings, Gabrielle would come home and drown her sorrows in Ella Fitzgerald. When this could sustain her no longer, she hatched a plan to graduate early, headed to New York City, and began working as a backing vocalist on late night television, for Robbie Dupree, Mike Doughty, Lorde, and most notably, Wheatus (of Teenage Dirtbag fame), a band she’s been a member of since 2011. Last year, Gabrielle performed her own music in every state in the lower 48, as direct support on Wheatus’ US acoustic tour, while also serving double-duty in the band. She is currently releasing music from her second record of original music.
Omar Ruiz – Lopez, Lyle Devitry and Dawn Landes
Omar Ruiz-Lopez – Durham, NC (Roots / Progressive Folk / Old-time / Americana) is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and educator based in Durham, NC. Proficient in violin, viola, guitar, and mandolin, he has been a vital part of the NC Triangle music scene for over a decade. Since his stint in Nashville (2023–2025), he has recorded and performed with artists like GRAMMY-nominated War and Treaty, Lizzie No, and Langhorne Slim, and co-written with Rachel Baiman and GRAMMY-winner Melody Walker. He is currently working on an EP with Wila Frank (Paper Wings) and a full-length album with Rachel Baiman producing. Lyle de Vitry- Asheville, NC (Folk / Baroque Folk / Singer Songwriter) Bio: Much like life itself, the music of Lyle de Vitry comes in cycles. Effortlessly moving between unity and dissonance, voice and instrumentation, rhythm and melody, de Vitry seamlessly integrates the comfort of folk music with the spine-shivering emotional release and intentionality of classical compositions. In so doing, he manages to create a sound as dynamic and honest as the ocean’s eternally flowing tides or the planet’s ever-changing seasons. An acclaimed songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, de Vitry was selected as one of ten finalists for the 2023 Telluride Troubadours contest and was named runner-up in the NewSong LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition. He recently completed the prestigious Residency at 821 hosted by Lamplight AVL in Asheville, NC, and is currently recording an instrumental album. His debut album, Door Within a Dream, was released in August 2024. “The music is full of mystery and a kind of slow-burn intensity. Invokes worlds” -Lynne Bertrand, Signature Sounds Presents Dawn Landes is a NC based singer-songwriter who’s penned original songs for TV, film, and musical theater (ROW on Audible). Landes has toured internationally and supported Nick Lowe, Mary Chapin Carpenter and many more. Her newest album The Liberated Woman’s Songbook was produced by Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman) and highlights women’s activism throughout history.
Emerging Artists Series: Will Hoge w/ Evan Blackerby
Will Hoge will release of Tenderhearted Boys, the Grammy-nominated artist’s 14th studio album on Friday, April 12. Unapologetically contrarian — an insurgent of authenticity — Hoge takes the helm on this new showcase where he breaks new ground by producing and playing every instrument himself. Each track unfolds as a chapter in Hoge’s sonic autobiography, exploring the beauty found in all the nuanced corners of modern life. Tenderhearted Boys is not just an album; it’s a journey into the uncharted territories of musical expression, where vulnerability meets rebellion, and every note carries the weight of the artist’s unfiltered soul. Will Hoge has a career whose milestones include Number One hits, Grammy nods, major-label record deals, and hard-won independence. Years before Americana music received its own category at the Grammy Awards, Hoge was on the frontlines, helping to pilot and popularize the genre’s blend of American roots music. In the current digital era dominated by influencers seeking shortcuts to stardom, Will Hoge proudly treads the scenic route, immersing himself in the journey rather than fixating on the destination. ** FEATURING LOCAL EMERGING ARTIST:Evan Blackerby has something to say. He’s been relentless in working to cultivate his own musical voice and sound – that can only be described as alt-bluesy Americana, folkish-rock-esque, singer-songwriter. Evan’s first concert was Paul McCartney and he leans on influences of Otis Redding, Ray LaMontagne, Avett Brothers , and Jack Johnson . He began crafting songs in 7th grade. That year, he found an old Yamaha guitar (that he named Junior) and began learning a few chords. He has, over the years, has become more comfortable in his unpolished honesty and ability to craft a song worth listening to. After turning 41 years old and losing his job in 2022, he declared himself to be a full-time musician and sought to fill his entire schedule with music. From solo shows to full-band shows (billed as Evan Blackerby & the Bandwagon), he has played in public over 600 times since 2022. The Bandwagon often includes the inimitably melodic Brett Morgan Thompson on guitar, the incessantly groovy Lelan James Estes on bass, the creatively percussive Ralph Butcher on drums, and the soulfully driven Michael Van Patter on keys.
Emerging Artists Series: Graham Sharp w/ Abigail Dowd
On How Did We Do It, Graham Sharp, celebrated songwriter and founding member of the Grammy-winning Steep Canyon Rangers, delivers a solo album steeped in gratitude, humor,and love. Building on the stripped-down charm of his 2021 debut, Truer Picture, this collection showcases Sharp’s ability to craft thoughtful songs that evoke warmth and optimism.“This is a group of songs I’ve written over the last few years that loosely fell into the basket of love songs,” Sharp shares. “All of these tunes are tied to specific moments and places; so forme, it almost reads like a photo album through the past decade or so. Most of these tunes fit nicely onto the banjo, so the bluegrass setting seemed like the obvious choice. Living inWestern NC, I’m lucky to have some of the finest bluegrass musicians anywhere as neighbors. This group had never played together as a band so we had a lot of fun putting these little songstogether.”The album’s first single, “A Good Year,” exemplifies Sharp’s ability to weave vivid imagery into his songwriting, painting a vivid picture of a carefree Southern escape, blending nostalgia,resilience, and celebration. Reflecting on the song, Sharp explains, “We were in a bar on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans, listening to a band while visiting my wife’s family. The bandstarted playing ‘Come Together,’ and just as the singer hit the line, ‘hair down below his knees,’ she ripped off her wig and threw it on the floor. My mind was blown.” The chorus serves as both a reflection and a resolution: a desire to move forward, shake off the past, and make the most of the time ahead. Ultimately, it’s a song of renewal, optimism, and letting the good times roll.Driven by Sharp’s distinctive banjo playing and deep, resonant vocals, How Did We Do It moves effortlessly between poignant ballads and lighthearted tracks. Its title track encapsulates therecord’s overarching message—a statement of wonder looking back on challenges overcome, expressed with humility and pride. Sharp describes the album as a “thank you” to his family anda reflection of the joy and the difficulties that mark life’s milestones. Musically, the album embraces Sharp’s bluegrass roots while exploring new textures and collaborations. The project draws inspiration from legendary artists like Earl Scruggs, Terry Allen, and John Hartford, whose influence is felt in the album’s raw energy and storytelling. **FEATURING LOCAL EMERGING ARTIST: ABIGAIL DOWD Singer/songwriter/guitarist Abigail Dowd grew up under the longleaf pines in the Sandhills region of North Carolina. Known for her storytelling and command of an audience, she has been called “a writer of the highest caliber” (The All Scene Eye). Her soulful voice and unique classical guitar style caught the attention of Acoustic Guitar Magazine, which described the album “Not What I Seem”: “The guitar-driven introspective folk of the 1970s [as] a touchstone, but so are blues and roots rock ’n’ roll.” Pulling from her heritage of storytelling and determination, Dowd weaves hints of Celtic melodies with the soulful gospel of the south to create a sound that dances between folk, rock and blues.
Cinco De Mania w/ Döltz, Cyprian, and Psychic Scream
Heavier sounds and cheaper thrills
