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Frequent Visitors
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Welcome
to the Mountain Times High Country Music page,
where you'll find links to local musicians, an
archive of bands that visit the area often, and
a section on groups that used to call Boone home.
To
add your link to this page, please contact the
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Musicians
That Call Boone Home
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Amantha Mill
Amantha Mill is a community oriented folk/bluegrass act.
The band derived its name from the small mill community of Amantha, NC. Although the mill and community
are no longer there, it lives on in the heritage of one band member's family. Amantha Mill evokes fond
memories of a time when life was consumed with simple pleasures of family, friends and good music. The
influences of traditional bluegrass and bluegrass gospel, the folk movement of the sixties, as well as
the sounds of western swing and country, are evident as the band entertains young and old alike.
www.AmanthaMill.com
A.V.A.S.
(Acoustic Vibration Appreciation Society)
Born
out of the Snake Oil Medicine Show and the Cygnus
X-1 Blackhole Bluegrass Boyz. With styles ranging
from northern European reels to Eastern trance music
and from traditional American bluegrass to highly
arranged contemporary jazz, AVAS can appeal to all
types of music lovers.
www.whosethatrecords.com/avas.html
A.V.O.W.
Formed in 2002 near Boone, in the mountains of North Carolina.
Kenneth Dancy, guitar; Jaques Downing, drums; Chris Harris, vocals; Nathan Maynard, bass.
www.avow898.com/about.html
Blowing
Rock Jazz Society
A
group of jazz afficiandos and musicians who keep the
art of Jazz alive in the High Country through performance
and education. Concerts scheduled throughout the year.
brjs.blogspot.com
Crys Matthews
Crys Matthews describes herself and her music as: "Imagine Jill Scott and Otis Redding had a daughter and Tracy
Chapman was her god-mother... now imagine she spent summers teaching herself piano in Chicago and guitar in the
mountains of North Carolina... that would probably sound something like the music I am fortunate enough to call my
own." The music is an infusion of Americana/Blues/Bluegrass/Folk/Funk/Jazz, which, as eclectic as it sounds, is reaching
people all around the country and causing them to stop and take notice. Having just returned from the Out/Loud Women's
Music Festival in Eugene, OR (along with Chris Pureka and Andrea Gibson)
Crys is looking to continue making a name for herself.
For more, visit: www.reverbnation.com/crysmatthews
Doc
Watson
A
legendary performer who blends his traditional Appalachian
folk music roots with blues, country, gospel, and
bluegrass to create his unique style and expansive
repertoire. Blind from infancy, Doc has spent his
lifetime making music and is considered by fans everywhere
one of the world's most accomplished flat-pickers.
He lives right here in Deep Gap.
Here are a couple of links:
www.docsguitar.com/
and www.merlefest.org/DocsIntro.htm
Frenetic Euphoria
A jazz rock funk fusion experiment performing mostly original improvisational
compositions. Band members are Greg Taylor - keyboards and vocals, Randy Revis -
bass and vocals and Josh Smith - drums and vocals.
www.freneticeuphoria.infinitelimits.net
Jeb Holmes
Live performances center on rockin' blues, but
expect the unexpected, as all genres are fair game,
and the band often hosts special guests. The web site
includes biographic information, a schedule of upcoming
performances, photographs, and free music downloads.
www.jebholmes.com
Jonathan Maness
Our part of the High Country is home to musical
greats Doc Watson, David Holt, and Wayne Henderson, just to name a few. Seeking to follow in the
footsteps of these great local musicians is young firebrand Jonathan Maness. An accomplished singer,
guitarist and mandolin player, Jonathan's love for acoustic music is both passionate and diverse,
and he seeks to bring an unprecedented energy level to the acoustic music scene at large.** From
blazing bluegrass standards to revamped rock and pop tunes, it is his mission to perform the music
that moves him in a manner that is constantly inventive, intelligent, and eclectic so that you will
be moved as well.
www.jonathanmaness.com
Laditude
Laditude
(formerly know as (formerly know as Cloud Nine) is
one of the best variety bands in Western North Carolina,
featuring high energy, dance, variety, personality,
class and excitement. From Top 40 to Motown to Beach,
Country and all of your favorites, Laditude plays
everything for everybody for all situations including
wedding receptions, country clubs and corporate events.
www.laditude.com/
The
Lazybirds
Lazybirds
are a country, blues, and jazz quartet whose style
emphasizes, but is not limited to, the first fifty
years of recorded music. Legendary jazz people like
Billie Holiday and Lester Young; bluesmen like Big
Bill Broonzy and Mississippi John Hurt; country music
greats like the Original Carter Family and Hank Williams
as well as many other musicians comprise the foundation
for the Lazybird sound, and set the standard for their
goal: to make, honest, thoughtful, music that will
appeal to all people.
www.lazybirds.net
The Lost Ridge Band
The Lost Ridge Band has been making authentic
mountain music in the High Country since 2000. Their
musical rotation has remained stable with the lineup of Pete Washburn
on banjo, Phil Washburn on guitar, Elijah Davenport on upright bass,
Shane Crawford and Peter Hanast on drums.
www.lostridgeband.com
Melissa
Reaves
Musician
Melissa Reaves has been delighting audiences throughout
the U. S. for more than a decade with her rock, funk
and rhythm & blues-based sound. Reaves is a powerful
vocalist and guitar player whose style ranges from
driving rock & roll to a funk and groove sound that
lends itself to a diverse repertoire of originals
as well as some occasional choice covers.
www.melissareaves.com
Southern Accent Bluegrass Gospel
Southern Accent, a regionally-known bluegrass gospel group from Watauga and Avery counties of
Western North Carolina, strives to take traditional and contemporary gospel songs and hymns and
add a smooth bluegrass flavor to praise and honor the Lord, Jesus Christ. Their mission is to sing
and play their instruments as a ministry to send out the message of the Good News of the Gospel.
www.southernaccent.us
Steve and Ruth Smith
Steve and Ruth Smith, two of the North Carolina High Country's finest musicians, play a mix of
traditional Appalachian, Celtic, classical and original music. Ruth is a classically trained musician,
who discovered in the hammered dulcimer a versatile instrument that fits her personality and blends her
musical heritage and interests. Steve is a fingerstyle guitarist and singer-songwriter who, along with
Ruth, has performed for over thirty years in some of the finest resorts and concert venues around the
world. Hammered dulcimer and acoustic guitar music is the perfect choice for your Blue Ridge Mountain
wedding, reception or private party. Steve and Ruth are also in demand for concerts, festivals, corporate
functions, gallery openings, fine restaurants and resorts. You can reach them at 828-297-1918 or at
www.steveandruth.com
The Worthless Son-in-Laws
Indie-rock/alt-country from the mountains of Western North Carolina. The
Worthless Son-in-Laws blend truck-driving rockers with pastoral daydream
soundtracks and thoughtful, melody-laden pop songs about life in the South.
Diverse tastes meshing together produces a sound that is unusual and
familiar at once. The songs show a heavy emphasis on lyrics without
compromising melody and flow. The Worthless Son-in-Laws mostly write and
play their own original material but also have a repertoire of covers from
the likes of Merle Haggard, Farmer Not-so-John, Vic Chesnutt, Flying Burrito
Brothers, Little Feat and John Hiatt. Check out the Worthless Son-in-Laws at
www.soninlaws.com
Todd
Wright
Known
as the Ambassador of Jazz for western North Carolina,
Todd Wright is in demand as a saxophonist and teaches
Jazz at Appalachian State University.
www.todd-wright.com
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Musicians
That Used To Live In Boone
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Keep
up with your old favs
The
Blue Rags
The
Blue Rags are five young fellows from Statesville,
Boone, and other small towns around the bohemian,
Appalachian mountain community of Asheville. Blending
the sounds of blues and ragtime, these sophisticated
acoustic revolutionaries put on wildly popular shows
that leave you feeling like you have just been a part
of something big.
subpop.com/bands/bluerags/website/new/blueragsflash.htm
Patrick Fitzsimons
Mr. Fitzsimons began his musical career playing
old-time blues and ragtime guitar on the streets of
Boone & Blowing Rock. He now calls Asheville home and
travels around western North Carolina playing solo
shows for the most part. Styles he traverses include
blues, ragtime, jazz, traditional, and old-time. Mr.
Fitzsimons shows up with an archtop electric guitar,
plays harmonica, sings, and keeps time on a bass drum
and a hi-hat.
www.patrickfitzsimons.com
Rufus Grove
Rufus Grove is a band of friends on a mission to bring real music, with all of its positive healing powers,
to those who understand the vital importance of free people coming together to dance and celebrate life.
Originating in 1996 in Boone, NC while attending ASU, Rufus Grove started by playing festivals, clubs,
fraternity parties, and benefits. Before long, Rufus Grove was travelling between Washington, DC and Atlanta,
GA and had built an extended family of loyal fans stretching out in many directions.
www.rufusgrove.com/
Snake
Oil Medicine Show
Something
you ought to experience for yourself. A wild blend
of bluegrass with alternative and experimental sounds
emanating from various instruments, all performed
by an eclectic group of talented and unusual musicians.
www.snakeoilmedicineshow.net
The Southern Lights
A creative and energetic blend of melodic instrumental
arrangements, well-crafted harmonies and classic songwriting. Based in the eclectic art,
culture and music oasis of Asheville, NC.
www.myspace.com/thesouthernlightsasheville
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Musicians
That Visit Often
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Blueground
Undergrass
Blueground
Undergrass is an Atlanta based group of seasoned musicians
formed with the goal of providing a fresh new approach
to music deep rooted in tradition. With their smooth
mix of bluegrass, blues, country, folk, swing, jazz
and rock, they take people to musical heights few
try to endeavor. They accomplish this with quite a
new approach to the instruments they use also, putting
together banjo, pedal steel, fiddle, electric and
acoustic guitar, bass, mandolin, African gourd banjo,
Dobro, and drums in a sound that is uniquely theirs.
www.bluegroundundergrass.com
Jag Star
Jag Star (an acronym for "Just a girl singing to a radio")
exploded onto the scene in Knoxville, TN in 1999. Their original
sound combines strong female lead vocals with everything from
electric guitars, to haunting viola, to rock and hip-hop beats.
www.jagstar.com
Jubal
Foster
Jubal Foster's five members hail originally from
the mountains of North Carolina, but ironically, they
each had to make the trek to Music City to cross paths
and begin a musical collaboration. Always drawing
heavily from their Appalachian roots, the group has
molded influences of bluegrass, 60's honky-tonk, and
70's West Coast country rock into their own original,
edgy blend of hillbilly music. Their energy gives
this collection of classic tones new life.
www.jubalfoster.com
The
Larry Keel Experience
The
Larry Keel Experience is an acoustic ensemble headed
by flatpicking guitar champion Larry Keel on flattop
guitar. The band plays what they call “Alternative
Bluegrass, ” as well as performing some of the
finest authentic Bluegrass on the scene today.
www.larrykeel.com
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Merle
Watson Memorial Bluegrass Festival
A
huge music gathering each year to celebrate and honor
the life of the late Merle Watson, son of bluegrass
legend and High Country native Doc Watson. Takes place
the last weekend in April each year. Merlefest features
dozens of the best musicians in the bluegrass and
country scenes as well as talented picks from many
other musical genres.
www.merlefest.org
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