Hustle Souls w/ Africa Unplugged
Hustle Souls, based in Asheville, NC, masterfully blend Retro-Soul, New Orleans Brass, and Singer-Songwriter Americana into a unique and captivating sound. Lauded by American Blues Scene as a “generation-jumping mashup of new school second line funk with old school vintage soul, ” and described by Bluestown Music as “intimate soul…with a Curtis Mayfield like warmth,” the band has earned a spot as one of Music Connection Magazine’s “Hot 100 Live Unsigned Artists & Bands” and No Treble shared the band saying “I hadn’t heard them before, but I’m glad I have now… Must See”Overflowing with energy and spontaneity, Hustle Souls features roaring B3 organ and jubilant trumpet and trombone, balanced with three-part vocal harmonies and a passion for songwriting. Their music has been praised by Aldora Britian Records as “worthy of being included in that brilliant soul music canon, a heritage that features some of the greatest performers and writers that have ever graced this earth. Africa Unplugged is a dynamic group, led by djembe master, guitarist and songwriter, Atiba Rorie. The band uses traditional percussion instruments from West Africa in combination with guitars and bass to play traditional rhythms while drawing from influences across the world. Their creativity results in a funky, soulful blues and dance music that keeps you moving as they tell stories from the old world and the new!
Riley Rae & The Carolina Jazz Ensemble
Show description: Fresh off a six-month residency at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan, Riley Rae & The Carolina Jazz Ensemble return home for their first North Carolina performance. Riley Rae is a jazz and R&B vocalist from Raleigh whose sound fuses elements of jazz, soul, and funk. The group will perform their full EP Forever in the Making for the first time in the United States, alongside a selection of R&B and jazz covers. Join us for an intimate evening of smooth grooves, good vibes, and special guests.
Laurelyn Dossett + Caroline Cotter
Singer/songwriter Laurelyn Dossett lives and writes in Stokes County, NC. Her songs have appeared in film and television (Hell on Wheels, Ain’t In it for My Health) and have been recorded by many artists including Grammy-winning Levon Helm (Anna Lee) and Rhiannon Giddens of the Carolina Chocolate Drops (Leaving Eden). She is currently finishing an album of new songs, with M.C. Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger producing. She has written the songs for seven plays, staged at Triad Stage and Playmaker’s Repertory. Her song cycle, The Gathering: A Winter’s Tale in Six Songs was commissioned by the North Carolina Symphony and premiered in Raleigh in 2011. She will be a featured artist with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra December 2025, performing some of the songs from The Gathering and Beautiful Star. Laurelyn has written songs for various protest movements in North Carolina including My Beloved Enemy and Vote Against Amendment One. She remains a voice for social justice and environmental activism in North Carolina and beyond. The River’s Lament is her testament to the devastation of the Dan River coal ash spill. She founded the annual “Songs of Hope and Justice” at the North Carolina Folk Festival. Laurelyn teaches songwriting in the UNCG School of Music. Caroline’s sunlit, heartfelt songs explore themes of connection, nostalgia, and gratitude—rooted in a life of travel and deep listening. She’s played over 1,000 shows across 45 states and 16 countries, and her three albums reflect her unique voice and emotional depth.
Evan Blackerby & The Bandwagon w/ The Ghosts Of Liberty
EVAN BLACKERBY & THE BANDWAGON NC FOLK FESTIVAL 2025 “NOT YOUR AVERAGE FOLK CONTEST” WINNER Evan Blackerby has something to say. With his rollicking full band, “the Bandwagon,” he has been relentless in working to cultivate his own musical voice and sound – a sound that can only be described as alt-bluesy Americana, folkish-rock-esque singer-songwriter. Over the past few years with his band, he has found a sweet spot where unpolished honesty can still create a groove. The Bandwagon includes Brett Morgan Thompson on guitar, Lelan James Estes on bass, Ralph Butcher on drums and percussion, and Michael Van Patter on keys. Blackerby’s debut full-length, full-band album “Hop on the Bandwagon (https://open.spotify.com/album/2Y50b9cUMVdCYLC0DSt0YM?si=Sb57C46IR8OZIZkmp_kgsw)” was released in January 2025 (recorded in Winston-Salem, North Carolina by Doug Williams / Electro Magnetic Recorders and mastered by Grant Livesay / 68 Sound). As a part of the Evan Blackerby Trio, he won the North Carolina Folk Festival’s 2025 “Not Your Average Folk Contest” and the Bandwagon performed on the main stage. Also in 2025, he performed with the trio as guests on The Martha Bassett Show in Elkin, NC and as a part of the Emerging Artist Series hosted by Greensboro’s Flat Iron. After writing songs for decades, in 2022 Blackerby turned forty-one years old and lost his job. Deciding he was tired of waiting around for someone to stumble upon his songs and decide they were good enough, he personally declared himself to be a full-time musician and sought to fill his entire schedule with music. He has since played over 750 shows. While Blackerby continues to evolve sonically and as a songwriter, his incessant commitment to bringing people together through music has never shifted. He still has more to say. Also, THE GHOSTS OF LIBERTY Americana folk-rock act based in the foothills of North Carolina- The Ghosts of Liberty comprises husband & wife duo Emma Millard (Lead Vocals, Keyboard) and Tyler Millard (Vocals, Guitar). They bring together their combined influences of roots, blues, rock and soul, delivering a truly original package that could only be born of two people living and working under the same roof. Tyler discovered his passion for music while losing his vision to RP, a degenerative retinal disease- and Emma comes from a background in multi-genre vocal performance, beginning with classical training at an early age. Ty’s steady and cool nature balance Em’s gutsy emotionality, and together they are a musical force. They have been playing and writing music together for over a decade, and through many of life’s challenges have maintained a deep and abiding appreciation for how music and love can truly overcome any obstacle. Emma and Tyler currently reside in Oak Ridge North Carolina with their two ambitious toddlers who are eager to join the band as soon as their attention spans will allow.
DANCE FROM ABOVE HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY
Lee Roy Parnell’s Texas Flavored Christmas wsg: Jimmy Murray
Join GRAMMY-nominated Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame member LeeRoy Parnell for an unforgettable evening of live music featuring his long list of hits (“On The Road,” “Love Without Mercy,” “I’m Holding My Own,” “Heart’s Desire” and many more), plus his Texas-flavored take on a few classic songs for the Christmas season delivered only the way this ace guitarist, vocalist and songwriter can. No Depression may have said it best when they called Lee RoyParnell “a fine writer blessed with a rich, soulful vocal delivery and a blistering array of guitar chops drawn almost equally from Texas blues, Memphis soul, and Southern rock traditions.”
The Gone Ghosts, Crenshaw Pentecostal, and Nathan James Hall
All Y’all Country Allstars Potluck w/ Laura Jane Vincent
ALL Y’ALL COUNTRY ALLSTARS playing all your favorite outlaw & classic country hits! This event is a POTLUCK! Bring your favorite dish to share! Dinner @ 6pm, Show @ 7pm
Tom Hamilton w/ The Wright Ave Duo
Tom Hamilton’s guiding creative principle is very simple: he doesn’t like to repeat himself artistically.For the Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter andguitarist, this mindset stems from a deep-seated motivation to keep pushing himself as an artist —to delve into different lyrical themes and musical detours, to explore potentially uncomfortable and unfamiliar emotional places.”That’s a thrilling prospect,” says Hamilton. “To find the deeper things inside and to open up those doors that I didn’t even know were there.”As founding member of Brothers Past, American Babies, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Ghost Light and Billy and The Kids, Hamiltonhas written/recorded roughlya dozen albums and EPs and shared the stage with everyone from John Mayer to Bob Weir to Billy Strings.Hamilton’s debut record as a solo artist will be released in late 2025.
Lemon Sparks, Secret Monkey Weekend, and Laura Jane Vincent
