Colin Cutler & Hot Pepper Jam w/ Audrey Smith and Rebecca Porter

“Audrey Smith writes music from the heart, one molded within her rich cultural heritage of the North Carolina Piedmont. Her songs honor traditional country and southern folk, with a unique sound dancing between the lines of bluegrass, radio country, and piedmont blues. She’s heavily influenced by North Carolina icons Doc Watson, Etta Baker, and her time spent in south Louisiana over the last decade.”

Rebecca Porter

Rebecca Porter, originally from Guam and now based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, brings raw authenticity to her music, defined by her honey-smooth voice and sharp, irreverent songwriting. Her lyrics courageously explore personal themes such as trauma, discrimination as a Pacific Islander woman in rural Virginia, and the complex challenges of motherhood.

Her musical journey began over a decade ago as a member of local cover bands, where she honed her skills and gained local acclaim. However, it was during the pandemic that Porter redirected her creative energy, eventually releasing two EPs: “Prime Rainbow Conditions” and “Queen of the Local.” The latter marked a pivotal move towards independence, propelling Porter to national and international recognition through her grassroots efforts.

Recently, Porter joined Rissi Palmer’s esteemed Color Me Country Class of 2024 and made her debut on NPR’s Mountain Stage. Her music also captured the interest of Ed Helms, editor of Good Country, who selected her for his curated playlist, ‘Ed’s Picks’. These achievements underscore Porter’s artistic evolution and the broad appeal of her music, touching listeners well beyond her local beginnings.

Listeners near and far have come to appreciate and connect with the depth of Porter’s emotional landscapes. She continues to captivate audiences with her musical journey that embodies unwavering determination, creativity, and the transformative power of storytelling through music. 

Colin Cutler and Hot Pepper Jam 

Folk? Country? Blues? Rock and Roll? Sugar, vinegar, or spice? When Colin Cutler and Hot Pepper Jam show up, it’s all on the table.

“…a juke joint energy coursing through it and a humidity that seems to sweat out the sins and the booze that these characters are often soaked in.” ~Paste
“Wickedly funny.” ~Susquehanna Folk Music Society
“Devastating.” ~Americana Highways
“One magnificent tapestry of roots music.” ~No Depression

Colin Cutler and Hot Pepper Jam’s music stretches across the American roots music world, from acoustic oldtime and alt country to electric blues and rock’n’roll, with touches of bluegrass and jam band energy.

The last couple years have seen them playing at Merlefest, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, the North Carolina Folk Festival, the Susquehanna Folk Festival, Antlers and Acorns Songwriters Festival, and the Carolina Bible Camp Bluegrass Festival, while selling out Greensboro’s Flat Iron and touring for shows from Georgia to Indiana’s Notre Dame University.  Tarwater, their first release as a band, reached the top 20 in both Folk and Alt Country radio charts on its release