An Evening With Ray Bonneville

Ray Bonneville has created and mastered a fusion of traditional American Roots and Blues music all his own and deeply influenced by his upbringing in French Canada and the years he spent writing and playing music in New Orleans. He is known as the master of the slow burn, the groove and acclaimed for his harmonica tone. With a greasy guitar style, horn-like harmonica, smoky vocals and pulsing foot percussion he captivates audiences by being his own backing band. Known for his sparce evocative storytelling, Ray’s songs often feature characters living on the fringe of society, set down lonely roads, on long stretches of highway or in the belly of teeming cities. In 1999 Bonneville won the Juno award (Canada’s Grammy) for his Album “Gust of Wind” and was nominated twice more. Ray’s song “I am the Big Easy” was the most played song by American folk DJs and won “Song of the Year” in 2009 and was recorded by Jennifer Warnes in 2018. Ray won the International Blues Challenge solo category in 2012 in Memphis. Ray Bonneville began writing songs when he was forty years old and has released ten albums in thirty-five years since then. He will release his eleventh album, with the working title “Nomads and Refugees” in January 2026. He has toured relentlessly across the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia. Jim Withers (Montreal Gazette) describes his sound as “folk-roots gumbo… a languid Mississippi Delta groove, seasoned with smooth, weathered vocals and a propulsive harmonica wheeze. Whether performing solo or fronting a band, playing electric or acoustic guitar, Bonneville allows space between notes that adds potency to every chord, lick, and lyric.” Thom Jurek (Allmusic.com) remarks, “With darkness and light fighting for dominance… he’s stripped away every musical excess to let the songs speak for themselves.”

Spencer Thomas + Tom Troyer

The songs on Spencer Thomas’ new LP, The Joke of Life, (out now), much like a good joke, are many-layered. His talent is immediately obvious, with sleek composition and production throughout. There’s a nostalgic, everyman flair to his music that doesn’t hang on the influences of the past, but uses them as a guiding light to elevate his voice. Songwriting reminiscent of Warren Zevon’s later work takes the helm as Thomas examines the gap that can be left between the expectations of life and the sometimes tenuous reality. Songs like “Misty Eyes”, “Fake Rain” and the album’s title track “The Joke of Life” present light-hearted, even laughable, acceptance of the often undesirable cards we’re dealt. The album chronicles a period of change and rebirth for Spencer, who is no stranger to the open road. Beneath the album’s more obvious virtues is a wit and longing borne from the experiences and struggles of a working-class musician. “The sadly beautiful, unassumingly wonderful The Joke of Life has all the creative twists, timeless melodies and emotional resonance of one of those ageless 70s singer/songwriter LPs you keep returning to: Warren Zevon, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney’s Ram.” – Magnet Magazine “Throughout the ten-track collection, Thomas examines the space between expectations of life and the reality that sometimes clashes horribly with those expectations. At the same time, it sees the multi-talented artist working through a period of change and rebirth.” – American Songwriter Tom Troyer is a producer, audio engineer, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the band Farewell Friend. With a penchant for stream-of-consciousness song craft and lyrical poetry, his compositions delve into the realms love, loss, and the complex tapestry of familial bonds. Tom’s acoustic and stripped-down style resonates with a profound emotional depth and clarity.

Tony Evans Jr

Tony Evans Jr. is a rising country artist from Country Roads, Georgia, known for blending Southern storytelling with the soul of R&B. Inspired by artists like George Strait and Glen Campbell, his music carries both emotional depth and timeless warmth. Tony’s breakout singles like “Somebody’s Gotta Do It” and “Hotel Room” introduced his signature sound—a heartfelt mix of tradition and modern edge. In 2023, he released his EP Starless with producer Ron Fair, and his next project, “Leave Me in the Dark”, is set to arrive in 2025. With performances at SXSW, the Grammy Museum, and on The Tamron Hall Show, Tony is helping shape the future of country music.

Crawford & Power

Crawford & Power, a dynamic duo hailing from Southwest Virginia, are redefining the country music scene with their distinctive sound. Rooted in southern authenticity, Jake Crawford’s commanding vocals seamlessly blend with Ethan Power’s modern Dobro approach, crafting their own brand of Appalachian Red Dirt Country. Already leaving their mark, Crawford & Power have shared the stage with notable artists like The Marshall Tucker Band, Willie Nelson, Travis Tritt, and more. Their career gained momentum with the release of their debut EP, “Play a Hank Jr. Song,” propelling them to over 5 million on-demand streams. Following up with singles like “She Liked to Get High” & “Letting You Go,” the duo spent 2022/2023 in the studio with Producer Grady Saxman, unveiling their latest EP, “Bring it On Home,” as well as multiple singles in 2023. As they set their sights on 2024 and beyond, Crawford & Power are preparing new music and continued musical exploration. This duo is just getting started, poised to captivate audiences with their evolving sound.

Handguns, 30 Is Dead, and Wash Away

Handguns: Pennsylvania pop punk band known for emotionally charged lyrics, chaotic live shows, and a true DIY spirit. Since 2008, they’ve built a loyal fanbase that blends ray energy with melodic hooks. 30 Is Dead: 30 is Dead is an intoxicating whirlwind of punk, pop, hardcore, and noise with a vow to never write the same song twice. Drawing inspiration from legends like NOFX and Suicidal Tendencies, aiming for the pop-punk highs of Pup and hardcore lows of Knocked Loose, they’ve carved out a distinct niche in the North Carolina music scene. Renowned for their explosive live shows sharing the stage with bands ranging from The Queers to The Callous Daoboys, 30 is Dead is on a mission to conquer ever-larger basements, creating memorable, high-energy performances. Wash Away: Forsyth County locals, Wash Away, aim to blend fans of hardcore and punk music on a common ground with their short, high energy songs built with fast paced verses, catchy hooks, passionate breakdowns , and intriguing tempo changes. Drawing influences from bands such as: No Pressure, Koyo, Comeback Kid, Trophy Eyes, and Finch – The group strive to bring inclusive and fun energy to their show as they perform their version of hardcore fusion in a modernized package mixing fast, melodic music with dark tones, and heavy vocals looking to bring a new, upbeat, sound to the North Carolina punk and hardcore scene. Grandma Stamms ( food Truck ): The smashburger & fries taste like driving a topless 67 Caddie while listening to Bruce Springsteen to go walk on the beach boardwalk whilst holding hands with your main squeeze!

Ben Sollee

Ben Sollee is an American cellist, singer-songwriter, and composer known for his political activism. His music incorporates banjo, guitar, and mandolin along with percussion and unusual cello techniques. His songs exhibit a mix of folk, bluegrass, jazz, and R&B elements. Sollee has also composed longer instrumental pieces for dance ensembles and for film.

Melodramatic, Transeunte Errante, and Convelescent

The Finns

The Finns are gonna do Finn’s things!

An Evening With Robbie Fulks

Robbie Fulks has always been more than a conventional country singer and songwriter. After growing up in North Carolina and spending time in New York City, Fulks began his professional music career playing bluegrass in the band Special Consensus before emerging as a solo artist in Chicago during the mid-1990s. His early albums received nationwide praise for blending a modern sensibility with honky-tonk country. His creative partnership with the late Steve Albini resulted in a string of highly regarded albums, showcasing his sharp lyrical wit, sophisticated instrumentation, and inventive storytelling.

Genre: Concerts