Sol Driven Train – Saturday Headliner
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Sol Driven Train is a band in motion. Perpetually piling on and off the bus, the momentum of their hard work and heart-felt music propels the group upward. At shows, the band members bounce to the pulse of the music along with the crowd. Stylistically the band “seamlessly mixes Allmanesque Southern rock, languid world-beat, swampy funk and downright catchy melodies as they swap lead singers and instruments. A punchy horn section adds an extra dimension of sweaty soul to the genre-blurring jam party,” say Atlanta’s Creative Loafing. he band has independently recorded and produced three albums along the way. In late 2005, the band released a children’s album, “Tajar Tracks,” a product of the band’s stint working as counselors at a summer camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains. “Live on the Outer Banks” was recorded in one night at one of the bands favorite coastal tour destinations. The album, “Lighthouse” was released April 8, 2008, and is gathering praise from fans and critics alike.

Acoustic Syndicate – Sunday Headliner
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From the very beginning the band resolved to play honest, good music with emphasis on musicianship and vocal harmonies. The mission was to provide good music to the masses as an alternative to the cookie cutter, self-centered industry standards of the day. Their body of original material always conveyed a positive message of coexistence, peace, conservation, sustainability and happiness. They opted to leave the sappy love songs to those who take no exception to wasting the precious time and minds of the body politic.

Acoustic Syndicate plays on with its message of peace, earth, unity and family. The Syndicate will enter the studio this winter to begin work on their 7th recording. They can be found out and about in the South East touring with their new music and their newest addition to the group, dobro player Billy Cardine.

Jill Andrews (formerly of Everybody Fields)
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Jill Andrews, has been singing her whole life: as a little girl in Johnson City, Tenn., as a camp counselor plucking out three chords on an acoustic guitar under swaying pine trees, as one-half of The Everybodyfields—and, since 2009, as an increasingly formidable singer/songwriter making her way on her own. A smart, subtle tunesmith and a gently wise songwriter,The Knoxville-based Andrews crafts beguiling, startlingly intimate songs that merge her voice with her effortless, classic-pop sensibility and keen eye for human drama.

Jamie Laval
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One of the premier Celtic violinists on the international music scene today, Jamie Laval creates rapt audiences with his intensely passionate performances of traditional music of Scotland, Ireland, Brittany and Quebec, rendered with hints of classical refinement and ethnic music from around the world.

Jamie is heralded as “One of North America’s finest practitioners of traditional Scottish music” (San Jose Mercury News) and “The next Alasdair Fraser” (Press and Post). The Asheville Citizen-Times writes, “One of the hottest fiddlers out there…this act has been turning heads wherever it plays.” Jamie now lives in Asheville, North Carolina and takes a keen interest in the musical and historical ties that connect his Appalachian home with the dispersion of Celtic peoples from their original homeland. He serves on the faculty of The Swannanoa Gathering, a summer institute for traditional arts and music. Jamie has also collaborated on numerous television, film, and CD recordings, including Dave Matthews’ Some Devil, Warner Bros. Pictures’ Wild America, and WB-TV series Everwood.

Town Mountain
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Born out of the all night jam sessions and fertile picking scene of western North Carolina, Town Mountain has emerged as one of the premier young American bluegrass bands.  Great original material, tight vocal harmonies, charismatic stage presence, and instrumental expertise place this group firmly in the upper tier of contemporary acoustic bands.

Town Mountain has joined the ranks of the Steep Canyon Rangers, Chatham County Line and Yonder Mountain String Band by winning the prestigious Rockygrass Band Competition. In May of 2011, Town Mountain teamed with Pinecastle Records to release their third album,  Steady Operator.  The album,  produced by Grammy award winner Mike Bub (Del McCoury Band), features original composittions by band members Jesse Langlais and two time IBMA Songwriter Showcase selection Phil Barker.

Moses Atwood
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Moses Atwood is a performer. Not just another singer/songwriter, his music is rooted in blues but with a melodic sense that is more contemporary. He has been called gregarious and open with a powerful tenor voice contrasted yet complimented by his instrument of choice, guitar or resonator guitar. Rare is it that we find an artist who can deliver the emotionality that is often times only present with lyric.  His writing and his persona seem to come from a soul that is old yet when you look at this talented young artist it makes you wonder if he hasn’t experienced a previous life. His songs are well formed and intelligent. He has recently relocated to Asheville from the North East. Let’s hope he sticks around. Have a drink and sit and listen!

Ethos
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This emerging band of Brevard Locals has been evolving over the last two years. There sound is shaped in reggae infused rock and roll with a smattering of pop. This is there 2nd appearance on the main stage! The melodies are catchy and the rhythm inspires the feet to move.

Ethos is a conscious eclectic blend of Reggae, Rock, Ska, Dub, & Soul music. The band was initially started to uplift the people of the Brevard North Carolina community by Daric Smith, Matt Gardner, & David Ashworth. Since their debut performance at jordan street cafe for the 2006 new years eve celebration, Ethos has hosted parties ranging from Halloween bash’s, Fourth of July Celebrations, Earth Day festivities and the honor of playing the White Squirrel Festival. Ethos also played numerous venues in downtown Asheville like the Emerald Lounge, Stella Blue, & The Grey Eagle.

Jason Decristifaro
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Jason DeCristofaro is a Vibraphonist/Percussionist/Educator/Composer based out of Asheville, NC who performs his original jazz and classical compositions frequently throughout Western North Carolina.  He has performed with artists ranging from blues singer/songwriter Donna Hopkins to drummer Yonrico Scott of the Derek Trucks Band.  Jason was also Timpanist of the Brevard Philharmonic for 3 years, as well as a percussionist with the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra, Carolina Concert Choir, and Hendersonville Chorale.  Jason graduated with a Bachelor in Music Performance Summa Cum Laude in Spring 2010, where he studied with marimba virtuoso Laura Franklin, and is currently working towards his Masters in Music at University of North Carolina School of the Arts.  He is also the Pit Instructor for Brevard High School’s Marching Band, and a clinician for Transylvania County middle and high schools.

Moon Shine Babies
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Brevard resident singer/songwriter Suzanne Schmitt is joined by brothers Jerry and Jim Trapp delivering their authentic folk tunes. These fine ambassadors of the local music scene draw on life experiences for there lyrics and music. They are back in the area to bring there thoughtful songs to Brevard.

New Familiars
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North Carolina’s The New Familiars draw from the vast influences that they’ve collected throughout their collective careers, this quartet has shaped a sound that combines the nitty-gritty roots music of the Appalachia with guitar-drenched-drum-driven anthems of Rock & Roll. Through collective songwriting, howling harmonies, & multi-instrumental talent, their show can take you from a back porch hoe-down to a full on rock show at the change of an instrument.

brotherbrother
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Brett and Adam were more than friends in a close-knit community; they were brothers. It wasn’t until high school that either of them became serious about playing music together. Their first venture into music was in a band organized by their English teacher, Bob. Band practices were more entertaining than melodious meaning everybody within earshot was most likely unappreciative. However, the focus was on having fun – and it still is. As Brett and Adam became better musicians and better at playing together, they realized that people enjoyed listening to what they did for fun. Their light-hearted and cheerful dispositions genuinely show through in their music, which is not to say that their music is light-hearted fluff. On the contrary, the emotion with which they write is genuine and it is apparent in their freshman recording effort “Alive.”

Davidson River Taiko
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Davidson River Taiko (DRT) is a Japanese drumming ensemble, a performing group unlike any other in the Southern Appalachian region.   Headed by musician and educator Bobby Fish and born of a vision to create an “alternative” music program for students at Davidson River School, DRT is an elective course and performance ensemble that offers students the opportunity to become more invested in school while growing mentally, physically, socially, and artistically.

Boys in the Well
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Danny and Justin Lanier began writing music together late in 2009, while playing sporadic shows throughout the Charlotte area.  They picked up John Daniels on the banjo in early 2010, creating Boys In The Well. Defined as honest folk with alternative undertones

Shortly after Mostly Honest was recorded, John Edwards joined the band, completing the lineup.  Edwards provides a smooth and consistent structure for the band, enabling them to progress as songwriters and performers.

Rosman Concert Band
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The Rosman Concert Band usually consists of students in 7th through 12th grades.  The director of bands is Carolyn Smith, who is currently in her 17th year teaching.  This school year marks her 7th year at Rosman Middle and High School. This band is an exceptionally hard-working group of musicians, and Mrs. Smith consistently seeks out opportunities for them to perform in unique ways here for our community.  This year, 23% of Rosman Middle and High School band members were chosen to participate in the Western North Carolina all-district honor band, with 3 eligible to audition at the state level.  Many of the graduating seniors from the band go into music after leaving high school, having gained the love and passion for music from this small but very fine program.  The High School Concert Band scores excellent and superior ratings at district concert band performances, has performed three times at Disney World in Orlando, and is currently attempting to raise enough money to travel internationally.  The band has been invited to perform in London, England in June, 2012 with Dr. Gary P. Gilroy from the University of California, Fresno, for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Gala Concert.  This year-long Diamond Jubilee includes performers from all over the globe, and Transylvania County’s own Rosman High School band received an invitation to perform last November with this renowned conductor and composer.  Despite the grim outlook of the budget within our county, band director Carolyn Smith feels strongly that this is an opportunity for these students that shouldn’t be ignored!  This is a once in a lifetime chance to become an overseas performer, and to have the experience of a lifetime.

*Unfortunately, due to budget cuts within Transylvania County School System, their trip has been cancelled.