Headliners!
Edwin McCain
Blending equal parts folk, soul and rock, platinum-selling
singer/songwriter Edwin McCain has signed with Vanguard
Records and will release a new studio album next spring.
Currently in the new OMG Studios of Greenville, South Carolina,
which he co-owns, McCain is working with producer Noel Golden
(Messenger, Scream and Whisper) and band members Craig Shields
(keys, sax); Larry Chaney (lead guitar); Pete Riley (guitar,
vocals); Dave Harrison (drums); and Lee Hendricks (bass).
Since his 1993 debut, McCain has garnered the attention
of millions with the top 10 smash "I'll Be," and
the Diane Warren-penned top 40 hit "I Could Not Ask
For More." He is a tireless troubadour whose rapturous
live performances have captivated many audiences. In May
2005, McCain performed "I'll Be" on The Dr. Phil
Show, which was voted the "Best Wedding Song"
by over one million viewers.
The seeds for McCain's blend of southern soul and acoustic
storytelling were planted in Greenville, South Carolina,
where he was born and raised, and still resides. In 1993,
he formed the Edwin McCain Band and released Solitude. A
quartet of albums on Lava/Atlantic Records followed, starting
with Honor among Thieves (1995), the breakthrough album
Misguided Roses (1997), which featured "I'll Be,"
and Messenger (1999), which included "I Could Not Ask
for More," also featured in the film ³Message in a
Bottle,² which drove Messenger to RIAA Gold Certification.
In 2001, Edwin's last recording for Lava/Atlantic, Far From
Over, was released. In 2003, McCain teamed with ATC Records
to release Austin Sessions, and in the summer of 2004, DRT
Entertainment released Scream and Whisper.
The Jeff Sipe Trio with special guest Jeff Cofin
Jeff Sipe is the consummate drummer. His talents and his
thoughtful nature have made him a highly respected and sought
after musician. He was a founding member of the Rock group
Aquarium Rescue Unit, which featured current members of
Wide Spread Panic and the Allman Brothers Band. Then he
toured with Grammy nominated Susan Tedeschi, Leftover Salmon,
and Keller Williams to highlight just a few of the projects
and artists he performs and records with.
He is at the core a musician of free expression. In this
realm of Jazz/Fusion he has teamed up with virtuoso bassist/composer
Jonas Hellborg (John McLaughlin) and the late Shawn Lane
(Black Oak Arkansas).
He continues his pursuit of free musical expression with
the likes of virtuoso guitarist Alex Machecek and bassist
Matthew Garrison (John McLaughlin, Paul Simon) collaborating
on the recording ³Improvision² on Abstract Logix. They will
have a new recording this summer.
Jeffís current project is true to this theme of improvisation
with his group the Jeff Sipe Trio, in which he called on
the young talents of Knoxville guitarist Mike Seal and bassist
Vince Ilagan.
The trio will be joined by Jeff Coffin, two time Grammy
award winning saxophonist best know as a member of Bela
Fleck and the Flecktones.
Patrick Smith Band
Patrick Smithís music is heavy with tradition, beautifully
well crafted, and performed. His music is full of place,
bringing all that the Mississippi River melting pot has
to offer with it. He deftly fuses various influences that
rolled in on that mighty river to his hometown of Vicksburg,
Mississippi, weaving into his songs delta blues, barrelhouse
rocking piano riffs, wailing jazz, underbelly soul, heart-wrenching
gospel, and the funkiness of a New Orleans brass band. Patrickís
throaty, warm voice ties his sound tightly together. It
easy to see why many great artists like the North Mississippi
Allstars, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and Jimbo Mathis have
all utilized his talents. Patrick will be joined by some
great musicians who reside in the area like Brevard native
Noel Felty on Drums who has been part of many outstanding
groups such as Jupiter Coyote and Col. Bruce Hampton and
the Fiji Mariners, Asheville resident Mark McDaniel on bass
and virtuoso sax player and Brevard native Marcus Henderson
who has had a very successful career with King Johnson,
Charlie Wooten and many others.
Beth Wood and Chris Rosser
Two dynamic performing songwriters come together for a special
appearance. Singer-Songwriter Beth Wood is an artist with
immense talent. Beth has the unique combination of great
songwriting, inventive musicianship, and superb vocal ability.
If you havenít heard of her or heard her music you will
probably wonder why. She has seven cds to her credit with
a new release due out this spring. All of which display
the creativity, growth and evolution of an artist who is
not dissuaded by the main stream music industry. With numerous
accolades to her credit, including Winners of Lyons Folk
Fest, Kerrville Folk Festival, 2004 Wildflower Festival
Songwriter Contest, and having a song featured on the popular
TV show ³Party of Five,² Beth is something special.
Chris Rosser is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter,
composer and producer. As a solo singer-songwriter and as
a member of the world-jazz instrumental trio Free Planet
Radio, he plays a variety of instruments, including the
Indian dotar, Turkish cumbus oud, guitars, melodica, and
piano. As a producer, he has produced about forty recordings
for various artists in his Asheville, NC based studio Hollow
Reed Studio including Beth Woodís ³Marigolds,² which he
also performed on many of the tracks.
He has won songwriting contests at the Rocky Mountain Folks
and Merle Watson festivals, and been selected as a New Folk
Finalist. With the help of a 1999 WNC Regional Artists grant,
he continued his studies of Hindustani classical music and
the sarod (a 25-string fretless Indian lute) with world
famous Indian musician Ali Akbar Khan in San Rafael, CA.
He was awarded a 2003 Songwriter/Composer fellowship from
the NC Arts Council.
Shannon Whitworth
Shannon Whitworth currently lives in the mountains of western
North Carolina, where she has spent the last ten years focusing
on mountain, bluegrass and country music. Her talent as
a singer and songwriter enabled her to spend the last 4
years touring the United States with a band she co-founded,
The Biscuit Burners. On claw hammer banjo and guitar, Shannonís
compositions contributed depth to the bands material and
have helped her gain respect as a truly talented singer
and songwriter. "No Expectations" features ten
of Shannon's most recent compositions accompanied by an
all-star cast of musicians. "No Expectations"
is one of the finest and freshest Americana/Country roots
records you will hear today. Great singing, great writing,
and great picking makes Shannon Whitworth's first solo project
unforgettable.
Nikki Talley
Nikki recently relocated back to WNC from her three year
stint in Canada. Nikki Talley, a self taught musician with
a powerful voice & strong emotional lyrics, was awarded
the prize of "Carolina Star." ³TELLING LIES,"
a full length album that Nikki wrote, recorded, mixed and
performed was released in 2007. The CD consists of melodic
stories all carried by the soft strength of her voice, drawing
comparisons to Sarah McLaughlin, PJ Harvey & Natalie
Merchant. From pretty piano tunes to guitar-based acoustic
rock songs, each is a part of her.
Looking to capture her roots as a daughter of a folksinger
herself, she is currently working on her 3rd album to be
released in late spring of 2008! Guest appearances will
include Brevard's own Annie Talley (Nikki's mom & muse),
Michael Guggino of the Steep Canyon Rangers and Tim Gardener
of the High Windy Band.
Balsam Range
This ensemble based in Haywood County, North Carolina is
an amalgamation of Bluegrass, Gospel and Country Music.
All members of the band grew up in the rich musical heritage
of the Appalachian South. Marc Pruett (Banjo), Caleb Smith
(Guitar), Darren Nicholson (Mandolin), Tim Surrett (Bass),
and Buddy Melton (Fiddle) all have impressive resumes.
Most notably of the members, Marc Pruett, who played banjo
on five albums with Ricky Skaggs including Rickyís first
record in 1974 and the Grammy winning ³Bluegrass Rules.²
He has been featured with acoustic artists like Rhonda Vincent,
James Monroe, Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, Peter Rowan, Jerry
Douglas, Tony Rice, Bryan Sutton, Emmy Lou Harris, and a
host of bluegrass friends. For a dozen years, his music
was used as the featured theme for the square dances in
the highly acclaimed Native American drama, ³Unto These
Hills.²
Darren Nicholson is a recipient of the International Bluegrass
Music Association's - Album of the Year award, and has appeared
countless times on WSM's Grand Ole Opry and at the Ryman
Auditorium. For three years he toured with Rounder recording
artist Alecia Nugent as a full time member of her band.
He has shared the stage was such greats as Merle Haggard,
George Jones, Marty Stuart, Doyle Lawson, Jon Randall, Raymond
Fairchild, Rhonda Vincent, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Sam Bush,
and Vince Gill. This group is another example of the rich
musical heritage here in WNC.
Ethos
This emerging band of Brevard locals has been evolving over
the last two years. Their sound is shaped in reggae infused
rock and roll with a smattering of pop. This is their first
appearance on the main stage. The melodies are catchy and
the rhythm inspires the feet to move.
Julie Lee
Julie Lee landed in Nashville five years ago with the idea
of a career in music performing her own material and showcasing
her powerful yet angelic voice. Little did she know she
would be writing songs for and with the likes of Alison
Krauss or Ron Block. Julie has three songs on Alison Kraussí
latest collection ³Hundred Miles or More² and the title
track to Ron Blockís latest release ³Doorway.²
This singer/songwriterís music is Americana, an amalgamation
of country, bluegrass, blues, old time and a bit of jazz
reminiscent of the 50ís. She writes from the inspiration
of many instruments from ukulele and guitar to banjo or
mandolin which attributes to the various influences in her
music. She performs regularly with her band Old Black Kettle
and in various other configurations and is a mainstay in
the Nashville songwriter scene.
Odd Meters
The Odd Meters are a unique, instrumental duo whose music
blends various genres into compelling modern compositions.
Their high-energy performances can include styles such as
Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Pop, Fusion, Reggae, Indian Classical,
and Funk. The majority of the bandís tunes are original,
written by guitarist Jon Morrow and fused with the touch
of Shane Parreco on drums and percussion. Although the Odd
Meters are a duo, they have the sound of a trio thanks to
the 8-string guitar (created by Ralph Novak) that Jon plays.
Bobby Powell & Tim Jones featuring Roy Chapman
Transylvania County natives Bobby Powell and Tim Jones are
yet another example of the mountain music tradition that
is rich here. They cut their teeth under the tutelage of
Roy Chapman as part of his band ³True Bluegrass.² Roy is
known locally as the person keeping the torch of bluegrass
alive in Transylvania County. He has undoubtedly influenced
the thriving bluegrass scene here. Bobby and Tim are continuing
to keep the tradition going. They will be featuring Roy
Chapman on fiddle as a tribute to their mentor.
Moon Shine Babies
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 their lyrics and music. They
are back in the area to bring their thoughtful songs to
Brevard.
Brio
Fronted by Brevardís own Nash Roberts, this Chapel Hill
based Pop/Rock quartet is a new group on the musical horizon.
Their influences are diverse ranging from the Beatles to
Bob Marley.
Barnacle
Barnacle is an acoustic/electric trio (two acoustic guitars,
one electric bass) that has been a fixture around Brevard
the last four years. Originally a duo founded by Michael
Babb and Naren Schoenacher as a side project to their primary
groups (Electro Dog and MarsupiaL respectively), Robert
Jones (formerly of the band Peace Jones) was asked, early
last year, to join them on bass. Their sound is derived
from a long, diverse list of influences. Given the variety
of sounds Barnacle draws from, there is bound to be something
for everyone in their original material. Generally speaking,
their own sound might be described as folk-rock with elements
of funk and blues.
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