Jeffrey Dean Foster & The Arrows w/ Kate Musselwhite & Molly McGinn
Jeffrey Dean Foster is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, who is both a solo recording artist as well as a member of roots rockers the Pinetops. Foster got his start with rock music back in the ’80s with a pair of bands, the Right Profile and the Carneys, which were either signed to fruitless major-label record deals or completed albums that went unreleased. The ’90s saw Foster play shows along the East Coast as a solo performer, as he began laying down tracks for newly penned compositions with old friend/renowned producer Don Dixon (R.E.M., the Smithereens) overseeing the recording process. Soon after, Foster decided to form a band, the Pinetops (which included members John Pfiffner, drummer Will Dyar, and bassist Andy Mabe), to bring his new songs to life. The newly formed group issued their debut album, Above Ground and Vertical, in 2000, following up the release with a smattering of select tour dates (including an appearance at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, TX). In late 1999, Foster appeared alongside William Shatner as part of an ad hoc band for Priceline.com TV commercials, and a year later issued his first solo release, the live EP The Leaves Turn Upside Down. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi
Split Knuckle, Heavens Die, Skin You Alive, and Refuse To Lose
An Evening With Eric Johanson (full band)
On The Deep and the Dirty (Ruf Records 7/28/23), Eric Johanson is a roots-rock innovator and modern-day guitar hero who uses blues as a springboard for an edgier, broader sound. The Louisiana native teams up with Producer Jesse Dayton (Rob Zombie, Supersuckers) and a taut power trio, firing twin barrels of sharp songwriting and fiery fretwork along the way. The album (which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts) arrives on the heels of four solo records that all reached the Top 10 Billboard.
Stand Up Comedy: John Thornton Presents Joe Perrow
John Thornton is a local standup comedian, a friend, a lover, a close and personal friend of Jay-z, and the director of a non-profit. Some of this isn’t true. He enjoys putting on shows that feature some of his favorite comedians, and he has an impeccable sense of humor so come out for some laughs on a Monday night. Joe Perrow is an award-winning comedian with over a decade of experience on stage. As the winner of NC’s Funniest Person in 2015 and the Ultimate Comic Challenge in 2017, Joe combines a unique blend of witty humor and animated delivery. Joe spent four years performing in New York City on some of the city’s best stages but has since returned home to North Carolina where he can be seen exploring interesting observations with a hint of sarcasm and satire.
Singer Songwriter Series (hosted by Abigail Dowd) ft: Abigail Dowd, Ben Gage, and Sam Tayloe
BEN GAGE – Ben Gage is a songwriter from Akron, OH. Ben Gage grew up in the rust belt of Northeast Ohio, spread out in the countryside along the great Lake Erie. His roots run deep beside the hard working blue collars that Ohio has to boast. That tenacity, love of family, and respect for a long day can be seen in his music. He doesn’t shy away from life’s ups and downs and sews human experience within all his songs, artfully, without the need to bash you over the head with ideas. In Fall of 2021 Ben quit his job in the tech-sector to pursue music full time. Now he travels the US sharing stories and songs and always collecting more. SAM TAYLOE: Through his full band vehicle, Time Sawyer, Sam Tayloe is interested in “real people and real songs” and that’s just what the listener finds in his music – a sense of realness. Blending a grassroots feel with heart-felt lyrics, Tayloe pulls the listener in with introspective ballads that land in that rootsy sweet spot where folk, alt-country, and rock gather for a good time. ABIGAIL DOWD – singer/songwriter/guitarist AND host of the songwriter series, Abigail grew up under the longleaf pines of North Carolina and comes from a long line of musicians. Known for her storytelling and command of an audience, she has been called “a writer of the highest caliber” (All Scene Eye). Her soulful voice and unique classical guitar style have been described by Acoustic Guitar Magazine as “The guitar-driven introspective folk of the 1970s is a touchstone, but so are blues and roots rock ’n’ roll.”
Singer Songwriter Series (hosted by Abigail Dowd) ft: Abigail Dowd, Sam Frazier, and Jon Shain
SAM FRAZIER – Sam Frazier is a guitarist (and pianist and bassist), singer and songwriter from Greensboro, NC. He has released two solo CDs (Half a Million Years and Sam Frazier). He was a member of the band Tornado with whom he released a long playing record album (First Alert) and a CD (When a Breeze Breaks Your Bones). He has also performed and recorded with Martha Bassett (The Goodbye Party, Magnificat, Mortal Flesh), The Piedmont Songbag (Try and Spread Some Cheer), Bruce Piephoff (Hamburger Square, The Chestnut Tree, Clockwork), Buddha Hat, Lisa Dames, The Numbers, The Prizzi’s House Band, The Sky Kings, Mary Lyon (Hopscotch) and The Hall Monitors. He has opened shows for Joan Armatrading, The Neville Brothers, America, The Funky Meters, The Duhks, The Del McCrory Band, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, Eric Church, Craig Morgan, Root Boy Slim and others. JON SHAIN – Hailing from Durham, NC, Jon Shain is a veteran singer-songwriter who’s been turning heads for years with his words, his fiery acoustic guitar work, and his evolved musical style – combining improvised piedmont blues with bluegrass, swing, and ragtime. Jon has released nine solo albums to date, along with two albums with duo partner FJ Ventre, a Jon Shain Trio live album, and one album of co-writes with Joe Newberry. Shain’s newest album, Restless Soul Syndrome, recorded at Good Luck Studio this past year, was released April 9, 2024. Shain is also the author of the music books Gettin’ Handy With the Blues – a Tribute to the Legacy of W.C. Handy and Jon Shain’s Fingerstyle Guitar Method, both published by Mel Bay Publications. In 2019, Shain won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN in the solo/duo category. ABIGAIL DOWD – singer/songwriter/guitarist AND host of the songwriter series, Abigail grew up under the longleaf pines of North Carolina and comes from a long line of musicians. Known for her storytelling and command of an audience, she has been called “a writer of the highest caliber” (All Scene Eye). Her soulful voice and unique classical guitar style have been described by Acoustic Guitar Magazine as “The guitar-driven introspective folk of the 1970s is a touchstone, but so are blues and roots rock ’n’ roll.”
Hobex with special guests Tom Mackell and Farewell Friend (solo)
A special holiday show with Hobex and special guests, Tom Mackell band and Farewell Friend (solo)
Noah Thompson (full band)
Granny bought me cigarettes when I was fifteen When rent came round and times got hard Daddy taught me how to clip the wings off some green Sometimes you gotta make your own light in the dark – “Upbringing” by Noah Thompson Hailing from the hollers of Eastern Kentucky, Noah Thompson learned early on that while life is tough, survival is even tougher. Growing up in a house where addiction was prevalent meant when it came to necessities, sometimes the ends didn’t always meet. Thompson spent his childhood learning survival and life skills while most others his age were more focused on the books. He did things with his parents that kids probably shouldn’t be doing but all of those experiences built the grit and resilience that is the cornerstone of who he is today. Life was precious, but life was a struggle. It wasn’t about learning the Golden Rule, it was about learning how to survive. It wasn’t the easiest situation or way of life to break free from but, with a combination of God-given talent and a little bit of luck, Thompson’s road is much brighter today than it was just a few short years ago. As tumultuous as his childhood home may have been, it was a house flush with music ranging from Ryan Adams to Zakk Wylde to Three Doors Down to David Gray. His love for music came from his father who bought Noah a guitar when he was just 13 years old.
House Of Fools + Fancy Gap wsg: Larry Wayne Slaton
Splitknuckle, Heavens Die, Skinyoualive, Refuse to Lose
Blind Path Booking & Strange World Booking Present: November 5, 2024 SplitknuckleHeavens Die Skinyoualive Refuse to LoseDoors 7PM Show 8PM $15The Flat Iron Greensboro, NC
