Black & Global Roots Concerts' Performers
ACOUSTIC MUSIC
The musical trio Red Herring started its evolution in 1974, when Ned, Jed, and Fred Herring first popped up their heads and crawled out from the muddy waters of Durham, NC. Bob Bloomfield, Billy Stevens, and Steven Knisley- a three-headed trio of talented musicians and singers-thrived for years in the ecosystem of Triangle venues by combining tight vocals, instrumental virtuosity, and wacky humor. Bloomfield’s stellar guitar work combined with Knisley’s bass and Steven’s harp blowing to establish Red Herring as a sought-after supporting act. During the 1970s throughout NC they opened for bands as diverse as the Nitty-Gritty Dirt Band, Asleep at the Wheel, Dave Bromberg, Taj Mahal, John Sebastian and John Prine.
Rebecca Newton cut her musical teeth on show tunes and vaudeville as a young child in the late 50s and early 60s. Her first LP was a 78, which her Grandmother bought for her after a birthday dinner in Seattle, Wa. at 'Steve's Gay 90s.' At the age of 4, she witnessed Barber Shop Quartets of banjo and ukulele-playing, pinstriped suit-wearing men with straw hats singing impeccable harmonies. The record was a 78rpm of Sophie Tucker, which Rebecca still owns.
Rebecca's music career began in 1975 with the band, "Mother Country" - a bluegrass, country band based in North Carolina. In 1978 she played in a 4-piece swing band (un-creatively) named "Rebecca & Friends." Mid 1981 she and co-writer Keith Guile put together "Rebecca & the Hi-Tones," a North Carolina institution for 30+ years. The Hi-Tones were a 7-piece swing/jazz/r&b band containing the "core four" members from 1981.
Rebecca has been commissioned by National Public Radio to write and produce feature music for "All Things Considered," and was mentored by many great musicians including Tony Award winning playwright Jim Wann (Diamond Studs, Pump Boys & Dinettes). Rebecca composed the music for "Napoleon's China ©", a play with music, which premiered at Salt Lake Acting Co. in 1995 and also composed the book for the musical "At Home with Carson Taylor," by playwright Jon Courie.
Since 1987 Rebecca has performed as half the famous duo 'Pinky Wyoming and Duke LaCrosse', with Jim Watson, founding member of the 'Red Clay Ramblers' and current member of 'Watson, Craver, Hicks and Newberry" (also known as "The Law Firm").
Rebecca's music career began in 1975 with the band, "Mother Country" - a bluegrass, country band based in North Carolina. In 1978 she played in a 4-piece swing band (un-creatively) named "Rebecca & Friends." Mid 1981 she and co-writer Keith Guile put together "Rebecca & the Hi-Tones," a North Carolina institution for 30+ years. The Hi-Tones were a 7-piece swing/jazz/r&b band containing the "core four" members from 1981.
Rebecca has been commissioned by National Public Radio to write and produce feature music for "All Things Considered," and was mentored by many great musicians including Tony Award winning playwright Jim Wann (Diamond Studs, Pump Boys & Dinettes). Rebecca composed the music for "Napoleon's China ©", a play with music, which premiered at Salt Lake Acting Co. in 1995 and also composed the book for the musical "At Home with Carson Taylor," by playwright Jon Courie.
Since 1987 Rebecca has performed as half the famous duo 'Pinky Wyoming and Duke LaCrosse', with Jim Watson, founding member of the 'Red Clay Ramblers' and current member of 'Watson, Craver, Hicks and Newberry" (also known as "The Law Firm").
BALLAD SINGING
Bobby McMillon - Appalachian Ballad Singer
NC Heritage Award Winner Bobby McMillon has performed throughout the state as a singer and storyteller. He has appeared at events such as the Smithsonian’s Festival of American Folklife, the A. P. Carter Memorial Festival, national storytelling conferences, and the Festival for the Eno. For a decade he served public schools as part of the Artist in the Schools and Visiting Artist programs.
Bobby McMillon - Appalachian Ballad Singer
NC Heritage Award Winner Bobby McMillon has performed throughout the state as a singer and storyteller. He has appeared at events such as the Smithsonian’s Festival of American Folklife, the A. P. Carter Memorial Festival, national storytelling conferences, and the Festival for the Eno. For a decade he served public schools as part of the Artist in the Schools and Visiting Artist programs.
Rick Ward – Ballad Singer and Banjo Player
Rick is steeped in Beech Mountain and Watauga County cultural lore, and he continues long-established family musical and instrument-building traditions. His style of banjo picking is a distinctive “double-knock” style that his grandfather Tab Ward perfected. Tab Ward was a regionally popular recording artist who frequented the state fair, was featured in Southern Living magazine, and was also known as a storyteller and maker of old-time toys.
Rick is steeped in Beech Mountain and Watauga County cultural lore, and he continues long-established family musical and instrument-building traditions. His style of banjo picking is a distinctive “double-knock” style that his grandfather Tab Ward perfected. Tab Ward was a regionally popular recording artist who frequented the state fair, was featured in Southern Living magazine, and was also known as a storyteller and maker of old-time toys.
Fiona Balestrieri – singer of Irish Ballads, Flute
Fiona Balestrieri is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and percussive step dancer grounded in the traditional musics of Ireland, England, and Appalachia. Growing into music in the vibrant Irish, old-time, and folk music scenes of the Virginia foothills, Fiona has been an avid teacher, learner, and performer of the traditional music that surrounds her.
Fiona Balestrieri is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and percussive step dancer grounded in the traditional musics of Ireland, England, and Appalachia. Growing into music in the vibrant Irish, old-time, and folk music scenes of the Virginia foothills, Fiona has been an avid teacher, learner, and performer of the traditional music that surrounds her.
Seth Swingle – Banjo
Seth is an award-winning musician and scholar. A curious and dedicated practitioner of traditional music, he has studied Southern banjo styles with noted folklorist Mike Seeger, given talks and performances of banjo history at universities throughout the South, and is 2-time Virginia State Banjo Champion. He can pick, strum, pluck, and beat upon the banjo in a half-dozen archaic and modern banjo styles and in over a dozen tunings.
Seth is an award-winning musician and scholar. A curious and dedicated practitioner of traditional music, he has studied Southern banjo styles with noted folklorist Mike Seeger, given talks and performances of banjo history at universities throughout the South, and is 2-time Virginia State Banjo Champion. He can pick, strum, pluck, and beat upon the banjo in a half-dozen archaic and modern banjo styles and in over a dozen tunings.
BLUEGRASS
STELLAR BLUEGRASS BAND - Piedmont supergroup consisting of Leroy Savage and Fiddlin' Al McCanless both of the New Deal String Band, Red Clay Ramblers founder Jim Watson, NC Heritage Award recipient Tony Williamson, Grand Old Opry regular Stan Brown & accomplished songwriter Tommy Goldsmith.
MASON VIA:
Mason is a young Bluegrass prodigy from Winston-Salem who grew up attending fiddler's conventions and music festivals in NC and VA. Mason completed a Virginia Folklife songwriting apprenticeship with his father David Via. In 2019 Mason was named Floydfest OTR competition runner-up. Mason is a three-time winner of the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival Band Competition. Currently, Mason is competing in American Idol, and has made it past the first round of auditions!
https://www.thestokesnews.com/news/29687/hollywood-bound
Mason is a young Bluegrass prodigy from Winston-Salem who grew up attending fiddler's conventions and music festivals in NC and VA. Mason completed a Virginia Folklife songwriting apprenticeship with his father David Via. In 2019 Mason was named Floydfest OTR competition runner-up. Mason is a three-time winner of the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival Band Competition. Currently, Mason is competing in American Idol, and has made it past the first round of auditions!
https://www.thestokesnews.com/news/29687/hollywood-bound
STAN BROWN - Stan Brown "Stanjo" began playing banjo at an early age with his dad on bass fiddle on their farm near Coleridge, NC. While at NC State University studying Landscape Architecture, he spent a summer playing at Bush Gardens. That fall, he moved to Nashville where he landed a banjo picking position with The Wilma Lee Cooper Bluegrass Band and toured with them for many years. They had a weekly spot on the Grand Ole Opry. Later Stan played bass guitar with the legendary Skeeter Davis who had the hit song "Don't Say No It's The End Of The World." He also did a stint with Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys on banjo, and played regularly with such greats as Roland White and Vassar Clements. After over 10 years in Nashville. Stand decided to come back to the Coleridge farm. He married the talented Julie Brown who now plays bass fiddle with their group Hindsight. Stan began playing banjo with the Bluegrass Experience after the death of Donald Beane and continues to play as well as teaching banjo lessons, running an oil business and farming.
TOMMY GOLDSMITH - North Carolinian Tommy Goldsmith has worked as a roots-based singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer in North Carolina since the early 1970s. His songs have been recorded by Alice Gerrard, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, David Olney and Steve Runkle. He has produced records by artists including Tracy Nelson, the Nashville Jug Band (Sam Bush, Blaine Sprouse, Roy Huskey, etc.) He has played on records by Hazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard, Marcia Ball, Riders in the Sky. He has appeared on Radio on the Grand Ole Opry and on the Austin City Limits TV Show. His Solo CD is "Songs of the American South," Cleanhead Records, 2014. Tommy has written numerous articles related to all types of traditional music for newspapers and magazines. In various acts, he opened shows for Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett, Jefferson Starship, Bruce Springsteen, and America.
LEROY SAVAGE - LeRoy Savage, "The Father of Newgrass Music," earned his nickname, reputation and inclusion in the documentary films Bluegrass: Country Soul and High Lonesome, for his expressive tenor and his introduction of non-traditional songs into the bluegrass genre. His 1969 recording with the New Deal String Band on London Record's Sire label has become a cult favorite. Contemporary stars including Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush and Jack Lawrence list him as an influence on their musical development. In addition to the New Deal, Savage was a long-time member of one of North Carolina's best known bluegrass groups, The Bluegrass Experience.
BUCK PEACOCK - Born and raised in North Carolina and playing professionally since 1963, Buck Peacock cut his bluegrass teeth on the Union Grove and Galax fiddler's conventions and the first ever Bluegrass Festivals at Fincastle, VA. Always teetering on the cutting edge of Bluegrass trends, Buck was a part of the movement that changed the face of Bluegrass into "Newgrass" as part of the New Deal String Band. Moving to Atlanta in 1971, he continued that approach with Rosebud, the house band at Muhlenbrink's in the original Underground Atlanta until 1981. In 2002 Buck was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame's Hall of Honor. Buck is also a member of the Quintet of the Hot Club of Atlanta.
TONY WILLIAMSON - Tony Williamson is a renowned mandolin player from Chatham County, who started playing at age nine, and by 15 he won the first-place “world champion” title for mandolin at the Union Grove Fiddlers Convention.Now an internationally-recognized expert on the mandolin, Tony has always served as a mentor and an instructor to other players. He’s also a skilled songwriter whose compositions integrate everything from traditional Piedmont string band tunes to classical music and jazz.
He writes and plays innovative bluegrass music while maintaining his traditional roots. Tony’s father and grandfather, both millworkers, played banjo in their leisure time. Since his older relatives already played guitar, fiddle, and banjo, a young Tony decided to pick up the mandolin.
He was a sought-after session musician and sideman for artists like Sam Bush, David Grisman, Jerry Douglas, and Ricky Skaggs. Not only has he collaborated with other mandolin legends, he has become a mentor to a younger generation of pickers like Sierra Hull, Chris Thile and Andrew Marlin of Chapel Hill-based Mandolin Orange.
During a brief hiatus from playing, he opened Mandolin Central, his own instrument shop in Siler City, and it became a hub for local musicians, a treasured source of vintage instruments, and a place for players and luthiers to learn.
He writes and plays innovative bluegrass music while maintaining his traditional roots. Tony’s father and grandfather, both millworkers, played banjo in their leisure time. Since his older relatives already played guitar, fiddle, and banjo, a young Tony decided to pick up the mandolin.
He was a sought-after session musician and sideman for artists like Sam Bush, David Grisman, Jerry Douglas, and Ricky Skaggs. Not only has he collaborated with other mandolin legends, he has become a mentor to a younger generation of pickers like Sierra Hull, Chris Thile and Andrew Marlin of Chapel Hill-based Mandolin Orange.
During a brief hiatus from playing, he opened Mandolin Central, his own instrument shop in Siler City, and it became a hub for local musicians, a treasured source of vintage instruments, and a place for players and luthiers to learn.
JIGJAM-JigJam are a multi-award winning quartet from the heart of the midlands in Ireland. Blending the best of traditional Irish music with Bluegrass and Americana in a new genre which has been branded as 'I-Grass' (Irish influenced Bluegrass), their onstage energy along with their virtuosic musical ability has captivated audiences throughout the world.
Jamie McKeogh, Cathal Guinan and Daithi Melia all hail from Tullamore, Co.Offaly with Co. Tipperary born Gavin Strappe completing the quartet. All four members grew up immersed in Irish traditional music and culture which is reflected by the band collectively achieving over twenty All-Ireland titles at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann competitions. They have now developed their own unique style of music influenced by American Folk music whilst staying true to their Irish roots. Described as 'The best Irish group so far in bluegrass' this sharply dressed outfit deliver an energy-fuelled, foot-stomping live performance. All multi-instrumentalists, JigJam interchange between banjos, guitars, fiddles, mandolins and double bass onstage which creates an experience which is pleasing to both the eye and the ear.
Jamie McKeogh, Cathal Guinan and Daithi Melia all hail from Tullamore, Co.Offaly with Co. Tipperary born Gavin Strappe completing the quartet. All four members grew up immersed in Irish traditional music and culture which is reflected by the band collectively achieving over twenty All-Ireland titles at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann competitions. They have now developed their own unique style of music influenced by American Folk music whilst staying true to their Irish roots. Described as 'The best Irish group so far in bluegrass' this sharply dressed outfit deliver an energy-fuelled, foot-stomping live performance. All multi-instrumentalists, JigJam interchange between banjos, guitars, fiddles, mandolins and double bass onstage which creates an experience which is pleasing to both the eye and the ear.
IRISH
CLAUDINE LANGILLE – “Claudine Langille can really cook on mandolin and flat picked tenor banjo, and her lead and harmony vocals were a highlight,” wrote the Boston Globe. Claudine is best known for playing with Touchstone, a highly acclaimed Irish-Appalachian fusion band based in Chapel Hill, NC in the 1980s. Touchstone recorded two award-winning albums – The New Land and Jealousy. Claudine wrote Jealousy, the title track, which has been recorded by international groups.
Claudine has led workshops at folk festivals in the US, England, and Canada. She currently performs with Gypsy Reel, who have recorded six albums in Cora’s Mount Hollywood Studio and have been recipients of NEA awards for touring artists. “Ms. Langille possesses and arresting resonant lower range voice which has a nice flinty edge to it, self-trained through several years work in both American and Irish traditions.” Charleston, West Virginia Daily Mail.
CORA MCGOVERN - Cora McGovern is an accomplished keyboard and whistle player, who grew up in County Clare, Ireland. She received a degree in music in Ennis, and has been an in-demand live accompanist for many of the big names in Irish music (Frankie Gavin, Christy Barry, Miko Russell). Cora has guested with Gypsy Reel in Doolin and Vermont, and has enjoyed playing tunes with Claudine Langille for many years. She is in Vermont now and enjoying guesting with Claudine on this Southern tour.
COLIN SHOEMAKER - Colin Shoemaker took up fife as a child. Accompanying his father to Revolutionary War reenactments, he developed a passion for all varieties of Celtic music becoming a virtuoso whistle and flute player with forays into Breton bombarde. His repertoire spans everything from Medieval to modern Celtic music. He combines incredible speed with flawless execution which creates a breathtaking experience.
WILL MCCANLESS - Will McCanless took up guitar when he was six years old and started backing up his dad, Fiddlin' Al McCanless at fiddlers conventions. He began playing Celtic music while still a teenager and a week at the Augusta Heritage Celtic week with lessons on DADGAD guitar and cittern with Zan McLeod got him hooked on Celtic music. After majoring in Classical guitar in college he came back to the family pottery business and now operates McCanless Pottery Gallery in Seagrove, NC. Will's hard driving guitar, tenor banjo and cittern give Fiddlin' Al and the Lads their unique sound. Fiddlin' Al McCanless is one of the most versatile fiddlers on the North Carolina music scene who plays old time, bluegrass, and now intense Irish music.
CLAUDINE LANGILLE – “Claudine Langille can really cook on mandolin and flat picked tenor banjo, and her lead and harmony vocals were a highlight,” wrote the Boston Globe. Claudine is best known for playing with Touchstone, a highly acclaimed Irish-Appalachian fusion band based in Chapel Hill, NC in the 1980s. Touchstone recorded two award-winning albums – The New Land and Jealousy. Claudine wrote Jealousy, the title track, which has been recorded by international groups.
Claudine has led workshops at folk festivals in the US, England, and Canada. She currently performs with Gypsy Reel, who have recorded six albums in Cora’s Mount Hollywood Studio and have been recipients of NEA awards for touring artists. “Ms. Langille possesses and arresting resonant lower range voice which has a nice flinty edge to it, self-trained through several years work in both American and Irish traditions.” Charleston, West Virginia Daily Mail.
CORA MCGOVERN - Cora McGovern is an accomplished keyboard and whistle player, who grew up in County Clare, Ireland. She received a degree in music in Ennis, and has been an in-demand live accompanist for many of the big names in Irish music (Frankie Gavin, Christy Barry, Miko Russell). Cora has guested with Gypsy Reel in Doolin and Vermont, and has enjoyed playing tunes with Claudine Langille for many years. She is in Vermont now and enjoying guesting with Claudine on this Southern tour.
COLIN SHOEMAKER - Colin Shoemaker took up fife as a child. Accompanying his father to Revolutionary War reenactments, he developed a passion for all varieties of Celtic music becoming a virtuoso whistle and flute player with forays into Breton bombarde. His repertoire spans everything from Medieval to modern Celtic music. He combines incredible speed with flawless execution which creates a breathtaking experience.
WILL MCCANLESS - Will McCanless took up guitar when he was six years old and started backing up his dad, Fiddlin' Al McCanless at fiddlers conventions. He began playing Celtic music while still a teenager and a week at the Augusta Heritage Celtic week with lessons on DADGAD guitar and cittern with Zan McLeod got him hooked on Celtic music. After majoring in Classical guitar in college he came back to the family pottery business and now operates McCanless Pottery Gallery in Seagrove, NC. Will's hard driving guitar, tenor banjo and cittern give Fiddlin' Al and the Lads their unique sound. Fiddlin' Al McCanless is one of the most versatile fiddlers on the North Carolina music scene who plays old time, bluegrass, and now intense Irish music.
BOB VASILE - Bob Vasile is a guitarist and virtuoso bouzouki player, steeped in Irish tradition but able to explore many other traditions woven together in his compositions. Until recently, he was part of the Pratie Heads, a duo with Jane Peppler. According to Steve Winick in Dirty Linen, they "created some of the best Celtic, English, and early American folk music available in recorded form." Bob has taught guitar at the Augusta Heritage Irish Week and won a signed Wayne Henderson guitar at the 1996 Wayne Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition. During the 90s, Bob joined Freyda Epstein and Ralph Gordon in Acoustic AttaTude and toured with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.
OLD-TIME
AL MCCANLESS - Fiddlin' Al McCanless, also a founding member of the New Deal String Band will be picking with long time friend Leroy. Al spent many years as fiddler for the Bluegrass Experience. They won the World Champion Bluegrass prize at the Union Grove Old Time Fiddlers Convention in 1972. Al appeared on the very first Rambler album on Folkways Records, "The Red Clay Ramblers With Fiddlin' Al McCanless," as well as recordings by the Bluegrass Experience, his Irish Band Celtic Jam, Mike Cross and Alice Gerrard. He now fiddles with the Bluegrass Band, Hindsight, The Merry Gadflies and the Irish group Contentment Is Wealth. Al spent many years as a part time pharmacist in and around Star, NC. He now divides his time being a potter, fiddler, gardener, and banjo maker.
AL MCCANLESS - Fiddlin' Al McCanless, also a founding member of the New Deal String Band will be picking with long time friend Leroy. Al spent many years as fiddler for the Bluegrass Experience. They won the World Champion Bluegrass prize at the Union Grove Old Time Fiddlers Convention in 1972. Al appeared on the very first Rambler album on Folkways Records, "The Red Clay Ramblers With Fiddlin' Al McCanless," as well as recordings by the Bluegrass Experience, his Irish Band Celtic Jam, Mike Cross and Alice Gerrard. He now fiddles with the Bluegrass Band, Hindsight, The Merry Gadflies and the Irish group Contentment Is Wealth. Al spent many years as a part time pharmacist in and around Star, NC. He now divides his time being a potter, fiddler, gardener, and banjo maker.
KAY JUSTICE - Kay Justice, of Wytheville, Virginia, is a long-time singer of Appalachian music, and her voice has been described as that of a “coal country angel.” Kay grew up surrounded by music—both of her grandmothers sang at home and in church, one playing old-time banjo and the other pump organ and piano. Kay’s own interest in traditional Appalachian music blossomed in the 1960s, and she began searching out older practitioners, learning often obscure traditional songs and ballads and to play old-time banjo. In the mid-1980s, Kay began singing, recording, and touring extensively with the acclaimed singer Ginny Hawker. The duo taught traditional singing workshops at various music camps and recorded four albums together. Kay will apprentice Helen White, of Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. Helen has been performing Carter Family songs for more than forty years, often with legendary guitarist Wayne Henderson. While she has extensive experience singing solo, Helen has a deep interest in learning the unique style and harmonies of the Appalachian duets.
ALICE GERRARD - Simply put, Alice Gerrard is a talent of legendary status. In a career spanning some 50 years, she has known, learned from, and performed with many of the old-time and bluegrass greats and has in turn earned worldwide respect for her own important contributions to the music.
Alice is particularly known for her groundbreaking collaboration with Appalachian singer Hazel Dickens during the 1960s and ’70s. The duo produced four classic LPs (recently reissued by Rounder on CD) and influenced scores of young women singers.
Alice four solo albums, Pieces of My Heart, and Calling Me Home, and Bittersweet(produced by Laurie Lewis), were released to critical acclaim in Billboard, Bluegrass Unlimited, New Country, and other publications. These superb recordings showcase Alice’s many talents: her compelling, eclectic songwriting; her powerful, hard-edged vocals; and her instrumental mastery on rhythm guitar, banjo, and old-time fiddle. Her 2015 album, Follow the Music (produced by Mike Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger) was nominated for a 2015 Grammy. Her most recent albums in 2016 and 2017 are collaborations: Wonderful World Outside with the Piedmont Melody Makers and Tear Down the Fences with Kay Justice. In 2018 she issued some old practice tapes of Hazel and herself working on songs. These had never actually been recorded before. They are on the Free Dirt label and also available through this website: Sing Me Back Home: The DC Tapes 1965-1969.
Alice has appeared on more than 20 recordings, including projects with many traditional musicians such as Tommy Jarrell, Enoch Rutherford, Otis Burris, Luther Davis and Matokie Slaughter; with Tom Sauber and Brad Leftwich as Tom, Brad & Alice, with the Harmony Sisters, the Herald Angels, Beverly Smith, and with Anna R-g and Elizabeth LaPrelle. With her in-depth knowledge of mountain music, she has produced or written liner notes for a dozen more.
A tireless advocate of traditional music, Alice has won numerous honors, including an International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Distinguished Achievement Award, a Virginia Arts Commission Award, the North Carolina Folklore Society’s Tommy Jarrell Award, and an Indy Award. In 2017 Alice was inducted into the IBMA Hall of Fame along with Hazel Dickens. A film about her life and music ("You Gave Me a Song") has been completed and was shown at the Full Frame Festival in Durham, NC in April.
One Source for this song is Hedy West. One of many songs chronicling the hardships of life in the cotton mills, most of which are now gone overseas, or replaced by automation. Alice: Lead Vocal, Fiddle. Kay. Harmony Vocal, Guitar. Gail: Harmony Vocal, Banjo.
Stay All Night: Another wonderful tune from Luther Davis. Alice: Lead Vocal, fiddle. Kay: Harmony Vocal, Guitar. Gail: Banjo.
WAYNE HENDERSON-Inspired by his older cousin EC Ball, who played a pre-WWII acoustic Martin guitar, Wayne Henderson started carving a guitar with a pocket knife as a boy. When he sold his first instrument for $500, he knew what he would keep doing. This finger style guitar player has now hand crafted more than 500 guitars, spoken at ASU's University Day, received the NEA Heritage award, and is the subject of Eric Clapton's Guitar: Watching Wayne Build the Perfect Instrument. His summer festival helps support Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) to learn traditional music in workshops from locals and national visitors. Our Black & Global Concerts and related programs also provide engagement between national and local musicians and public audiences to build community, pass on traditions to younger musicians, and expand global understanding and exchange.
WILLIAM RITTER William Ritter plays banjo, fiddle, guitar, and other "string-ed things." He compares himself to “a hog on ice — I go in whatever direction I am facing.” Born and raised in Mitchell County, he has done contract fieldwork for the NC Arts Council, emceed and performed in the 29th annual Music in the Mountains Festival and at the National Folk Festival in Greensboro in 2017. He is interested in old apple trees, family beans, and mountain humor--ever eager to swap lies, half-truths, jokes, and seeds. He holds a MA in Appalachian Studies from App State U, and helps curate programming like workshops for The Patterson School Foundation (PSF) (founded in 1906) based in Caldwell County's beautiful Happy Valley. He also oversees an incubator farm for new farmers (we are currently looking for farmers!), and are working towards hosting concerts. William is a fine ballad singer, fiddle player and seed collector.
BLUES
HUBBY JENKINS - Hubby Jenkins is a talented multi-instrumentalist who endeavors to share his love and knowledge of old-time American music. Born and raised in Brooklyn he delved into his Southern roots, following the thread of African American history that wove itself thru ragtime, traditional jazz and back to fiddle, banjo, and county blues--including elders like Libba Cotton. Hubby got his higher musical education started as a busker. He developed his guitar and vocal craft on the sidewalks and subway platforms of New York City, performing material by those venerable artists whose work he was quickly absorbing. An ambitiously itinerant musician, he took his show on the road, playing the streets, coffee shops, bars, and house parties of cities around the U.S.
HUBBY JENKINS - Hubby Jenkins is a talented multi-instrumentalist who endeavors to share his love and knowledge of old-time American music. Born and raised in Brooklyn he delved into his Southern roots, following the thread of African American history that wove itself thru ragtime, traditional jazz and back to fiddle, banjo, and county blues--including elders like Libba Cotton. Hubby got his higher musical education started as a busker. He developed his guitar and vocal craft on the sidewalks and subway platforms of New York City, performing material by those venerable artists whose work he was quickly absorbing. An ambitiously itinerant musician, he took his show on the road, playing the streets, coffee shops, bars, and house parties of cities around the U.S.
John Dee Holeman - Piedmont Blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. His music includes elements of Texas blues, R&B, and African-American string-band music. In his younger days he was also known for his proficiency as a buckdancer. Holeman was born in Hillsborough, NC. Inspired by Blind Boy Fuller, Holeman was singing and playing guitar at local parties and other events by the time he was in his mid-teens. By his mid-twenties he had bought his first electric guitar and relocated to Durham, where he played with the pianist Fris Holloway.
As a young man, Holeman also listened to traveling bluesmen from other areas of the South, to recordings from Chicago and the Delta, and to black and white musicians on the radio. While still a teenager, he started playing music at house parties, Saturday night suppers, and community gatherings throughout his area of rural North Carolina. At country dances, Holeman also learned the tradition of 'patting juba.' Juba, the use of complex hand rhythms to provide timing for dancers, is a centuries-old tradition among Africans and African Americans. Where Holeman grew up, it was customary when party musicians took a break for males to engage in competitive solo dancing accompanied only by hand or 'patting' rhythms. 'Juba' refers to both the complex hand rhythms and the dance traditionally done to them.
During his working lifetime, Holeman had full-time employment as a construction worker, and music was a part-time pursuit. However, he toured in the United States and overseas in the 1980s, including performances at Carnegie Hall and abroad on behalf of the Arts America program. In 1980, Holeman played at the 42nd National Folk Festival. He has performed yearly at the Black Banjo Festival, in Boone, North Carolina. In 1988, the National Endowment for the Arts presented Holeman with a National Heritage Fellowship. In 1994, Holeman was presented with the North Carolina FOlk Heritage Award.
As a young man, Holeman also listened to traveling bluesmen from other areas of the South, to recordings from Chicago and the Delta, and to black and white musicians on the radio. While still a teenager, he started playing music at house parties, Saturday night suppers, and community gatherings throughout his area of rural North Carolina. At country dances, Holeman also learned the tradition of 'patting juba.' Juba, the use of complex hand rhythms to provide timing for dancers, is a centuries-old tradition among Africans and African Americans. Where Holeman grew up, it was customary when party musicians took a break for males to engage in competitive solo dancing accompanied only by hand or 'patting' rhythms. 'Juba' refers to both the complex hand rhythms and the dance traditionally done to them.
During his working lifetime, Holeman had full-time employment as a construction worker, and music was a part-time pursuit. However, he toured in the United States and overseas in the 1980s, including performances at Carnegie Hall and abroad on behalf of the Arts America program. In 1980, Holeman played at the 42nd National Folk Festival. He has performed yearly at the Black Banjo Festival, in Boone, North Carolina. In 1988, the National Endowment for the Arts presented Holeman with a National Heritage Fellowship. In 1994, Holeman was presented with the North Carolina FOlk Heritage Award.
ELEANOR ELLIS - A native of Louisiana, Ellis has performed at clubs, festivals and concerts in the United States, Canada and Europe. She has also traveled and played with the late gospel street singer Flora Molton and bluesman Archie Edwards, and sometimes accompanied Delta Blues great Eugene Powell. She is a founding member of the DC Blues Society and the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation, has written about the blues for several publications, and is producer and editor of the video documentary Blues Houseparty, which features well-known Piedmont blues musicians such as John Jackson, John Cephas, and Archie Edwards. She also worked at the Archive of New Orleans Jazz at Tulane University in New Orleans, and at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
JEFFREY SCOTT-Nephew of National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow John Jackson, Jeffrey is the heir to his family’s musical tradition. He is a great storyteller and a masterful guitar player. Currently, the majority of Jeffrey’s time is split between managing his 100 acre farm where he raises Texas Longhorn beef cattle, working as a mortician, driving a truck and raising his two sons with his wife.
CAJUN
Joel Savoy - The son of Cajun music royalty Marc and Ann Savoy, and founder of the Louisiana-based label Valcour Records, Joel Savoy is a GRAMMY-winning recording engineer and record producer as well as a ten-time GRAMMY nominee. Recently appointed the Artistic Director of the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, Washington, Joel is a versatile fiddler and guitarist and he has played and taught music around the world for the last 20 years. He has worked with the best in southwest Louisiana as well as with folks like John Fogerty, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Earle, and T-Bone Burnett, although most often he’s seen with his brother Wilson and their parents in the Savoy Family Cajun Band or with the legendary Cajun powerhouse Jesse Lége. In 2017 he was an ICON Award honoree in Lafayette, Louisiana, for his contributions to the area's art, business and culture, and in 2018 he became the curator for the esteemed Louisiana Crossroads concert series at the Acadiana Center for the Arts in Downtown Lafayette. He also served as a governor on the board of the Memphis Chapter of the Recording Academy for three years and as the chapter Vice President for a year and has appeared on the big screen in The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, All the King's Men, HBO's Tremé and Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations and Parts Unknown.
Joel Savoy - The son of Cajun music royalty Marc and Ann Savoy, and founder of the Louisiana-based label Valcour Records, Joel Savoy is a GRAMMY-winning recording engineer and record producer as well as a ten-time GRAMMY nominee. Recently appointed the Artistic Director of the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, Washington, Joel is a versatile fiddler and guitarist and he has played and taught music around the world for the last 20 years. He has worked with the best in southwest Louisiana as well as with folks like John Fogerty, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Earle, and T-Bone Burnett, although most often he’s seen with his brother Wilson and their parents in the Savoy Family Cajun Band or with the legendary Cajun powerhouse Jesse Lége. In 2017 he was an ICON Award honoree in Lafayette, Louisiana, for his contributions to the area's art, business and culture, and in 2018 he became the curator for the esteemed Louisiana Crossroads concert series at the Acadiana Center for the Arts in Downtown Lafayette. He also served as a governor on the board of the Memphis Chapter of the Recording Academy for three years and as the chapter Vice President for a year and has appeared on the big screen in The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, All the King's Men, HBO's Tremé and Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations and Parts Unknown.
