Frank Lee and Allie Burbrink are a vocal-driven old-time duo from western North Carolina. They showcase Frank’s signature clawhammer-banjo sound on steel-string and nylon-string banjos. Or some slide guitar and harmonica blues pieces. Then there’s Maybelle Carter-inspired country guitar, or cross-tuned old-time fiddling à la Fiddlin’ John Carson. And Frank & Allie’s voices in harmony tying it all together! frankandallie.com

A seventh-generation ballad singer, storyteller, and claw-hammer banjo player, Sheila Kay Adams was born and raised in the Sodom Laurel community of Madison County, North Carolina, where she learned to sing from her great aunt and other notable singers. Her devotion to preserving and perpetuating her heritage is both audible and palpable. She’ll be joined by her daughter Melanie Rice Penland and her cousin Donna Ray Norton as they carry on her devotion.

nestofsingingbirds.com | blueridgemusicnc.com

MC: John Roberts

with Claudia Schmidt & Sally Rogers • Jamcrackers • Bing Futch • Magpie • Reggie Harris • Sheila Kay Adams with Melanie Rice Penland & Donna Ray Norton • Windborne • Scott Ainslie • and Dennis Stroughmatt et Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Creole

Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt have been weaving their voices, dulcimers, and guitars together for decades, creating an atmosphere of joy and musical lushness that audiences find irresistible. Their soaring harmonies (“blood harmony” was how one fan described it), their fascinating double dulcimer work, and their mix of six- and twelve-string guitars, blend with a wide choice of songs–their originals, traditional songs, and choice compositions of contemporary songwriters. sallyrogers.com | claudiaschmidt.com

Dan Berggren, Peggy Lynn, and Dan Duggan have combined talents to create Jamcrackers, named in honor of the river drivers who broke up log jams. Those drivers worked hard to find solutions, to get things rolling again, and they couldn’t do the job alone. These three feel the same way about their music. With guitars and dulcimer (and other instruments), the trio showcases unique arrangements and striking harmonies as they present a diverse blend of folk and blues, ballads, gospel, and dance tunes. jamcrackersmusic.com

Using Appalachian mountain dulcimer, Native American flute, ukulele, and a board full of stomp-boxes, Bing Futch celebrates traditional and modern Americana music with passion, humor, and boundless energy. Known for his musical shape-shifting, Bing switches the channels on style and tone with every new song, from his roots-rock and blues originals to The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Disney covers. bingfutch.com

or more than forty years, Magpie has brought its unique sound and breathtaking versatility to audiences everywhere. From traditional songs to vintage blues, from swing and country to folk classics to contemporary and stirring original compositions, they cover a lot of musical ground. They bring to the stage powerful voices and harmonies and excellent instrumental arrangements on guitars, mandolin, harmonica, dulcimer, and concertina. Songwriters, musical historians, and social activists, Terry Leonino and Greg Artzner promise a presentation that is highly entertaining as well as provocative and deeply moving. magpiemusic.com

A songwriter of great depth and passion, Reggie Harris writes from a personal sense of mission that merges a world-wise point of view with a singularly hopeful stance that life, though often challenging, is filled with possibility and hope. His songs reveal thoughts about life and love and some of the deep aspects of the human experience and cover topics from his own personal journey to world issues and history. He is an innovative guitarist, a fearlessly creative vocalist, and an engaging storyteller whose concert performances are infused with joy. reggieharrismusic.com

A seventh-generation ballad singer, storyteller, and claw-hammer banjo player, Sheila Kay Adams was born and raised in the Sodom Laurel community of Madison County, North Carolina, where she learned to sing from her great aunt and other notable singers. Her devotion to preserving and perpetuating her heritage is both audible and palpable. She’ll be joined by her daughter Melanie Rice Penland and her cousin Donna Ray Norton as they carry on her devotion. nestofsingingbirds.com | blueridgemusicnc.com

Windborne is a group of vocal chameleons who specialize in close harmony singing, shifting effortlessly between drastically different styles of traditional music within the same concert. Their musical knowledge spans many continents and cultures, but they remain deeply rooted in American folk-singing traditions. Lynn Mahoney Rowan, Will Thomas Rowan, Lauren Breunig, and Jeremy Carter-Gordon share a vibrant energy onstage— their connection to each other and to the music is clearly evident. They educate as they entertain, telling stories about the music and explaining the characteristics and stylistic elements of the traditions in which they sing. windbornesingers.com

Steeped in traditional music from both sides of the color line, Scott Ainslie is a renowned acoustic blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, with expertise in Piedmont and Delta Blues as well as Southern Appalachian fiddle and banjo traditions. Armed with a variety of instruments—vintage guitars; a fretless gourd banjo; a one-string diddley bow (aka cigar box guitar)—Ainslie brings the history, roots music, and sounds of America alive. https://cattailmusic.com

Dennis Stroughmatt et l’Esprit Creole takes listeners on a musical odyssey into upper-Louisiana Creole culture. A vibrant blend of Celtic, Canadian, and old-time sounds, this music bridges the gap between the contemporary Cajun styles of Canada and Louisiana. The music, preserved by families in the Ozark foothills, remains largely intact and true to the traditions that have been passed down for over three centuries. A medley of music, language, stories, and culture secreted away in the Missouri Ozarks and once considered long lost is in fact alive and kicking. Dennis on lead vocals and fiddle; Doug Hawf on guitar; Jim Willgoose on upright bass. creolefiddle.com

Forty-eight years ago, Alhaji Bai Konte brought the music of the kora (Mandinka harp) from Gambia to the U.S. This year, his grandsons (the word is used a little more loosely than usual) Great Gambian Griots, continue to carry on that tradition. Jali Bakary Konteh is an imaginative improviser who can support the tradition or blend traditional and modern instruments. Pa Bobo Jobarteh is a human rights activist whose songs were instrumental in the rarest of events in modern politics: a bloodless, democratic overthrow of a dictator.  Fled for his life, returned a folk hero!

africanculturalencounters.com

John Roberts has been singing English folk songs since the early 1960s, when he joined a local folk club in his native Worcestershire. In America since 1968, he joined with Tony Barrand to form a duo which has lasted ever since. Singing in unaccompanied harmony, or with concertina or banjo, their entertaining style has delighted audiences. These days, he mostly performs solo, with long-time partner Lisa Preston, or in tandem with Debra Cowan. He presents a selection of songs (music of the sea is one of his specialties), some well-known to folk aficionados and others less so.

https://johnrobertsfolksong.com

Simon Harmer has been teaching and performing a range of step-dance styles for over 30 years. Starting with English clog steps, he has over the years expanded his repertoire to include steps and styles from Appalachian clogging; from Quebec, Ontario, and particularly Cape Breton Island; from southern England, particularly Sussex and Hampshire, including Romany and informal social stepping; from sailors aboard ship; and—because he just can’t stop—21st century street and hip-hop dance!

Steeped in traditional music from both sides of the color line, Scott Ainslie is a renowned acoustic blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, with expertise in Piedmont and Delta Blues as well as Southern Appalachian fiddle and banjo traditions. Armed with a variety of instruments—vintage guitars; a fretless gourd banjo; a one-string diddley bow (aka cigar box guitar)—Ainslie brings the history, roots music, and sounds of America alive.

https://cattailmusic.com