Peter and Mary Alice Amidon are versatile and widely respected performing and teaching artists who for the past twenty years have dedicated themselves to traditional song (especially harmony singing), dance, and storytelling. The Amidons are equally at home performing a concert of stories and songs  for adults or children; calling a community dance for all ages; or leading harmony-singing workshops with adults.

Stefan Amidon, a gifted singer and singing leader, leads shape note singing at the Old Songs Festival. Although he is best known as a percussionist and singer with the Sweetback Sisters, the Starry Mountain Singers, and The Devil Makes Three, he is also becoming a hot mandolin player, and a deeply meditative old time fiddler.

Molly Hebert-Wilson, Max Cohen, Alex Bell, & Donna Hébert

Blurring lines between past and present, Mist Covered Mountains delivers traditional and original songs with up to five layered voices. Ballads in English, Irish and French are supported with dynamic instrumentals from traditional and original sources. They break your heart, then they make you dance, usually in that order!

Mist Covered Mountains’ dance-saturated fiddle rhythms take you from Acadie to the land of Faerie — and dare you to sit still! From Celtic melancholy and sly satire to fiddling frenzy, they satisfy their audience’s need for variety while offering the finest of harmonies and lyrics. You’ll leave humming and enchanted.

https://www.fiddlingdemystified.com/bands/mist/

An Appalachian barber, musician, storyteller, presenter, music teacher, banjo historian, and radio host, Jim Lloyd has musical roots that extend through at least four generations of fiddlers, guitar players, dancers, and singers from the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia While accomplished on many instruments, he is known especially for his skills on guitar (finger-picking style) and banjo (claw-hammer and two-finger styles). He’ll be joined by Hunter Wilson and Sophia Pucket.

Sophia Puckett is a 17 year old, old-time musician from Galax Virginia.  She got her start at a local after school music program, and after 4 years of being a student, she was given a position there as the banjo instructor.  She says that “it’s been an honor share the music I love with other people.”  Through the program she was also able to meet Jim Lloyd and learn from him.  Jim has had a great influence on her playing and almost acts as a father, or grandfather figure for her, and many of his other students.  Sophia shared that playing this music with others allows her to have a whole other family outside of her own.  She is very thankful that the music has been passed down through the generations and made its way to her. Sophia says that she hopes that playing this music, she will be able to teach and share the music for many generations, just as Jim has.

Hunter Wilson began learning music at age 12 and sought out instruction from Jim Lloyd at age 13.  His mother’s side of the family was heavily involved with music. His mother, and his two aunts all played instruments.  Hunter and his brother were the first in several generations to take up stringed instruments.  Their instruction with Jim Lloyd continued for around 7 years.  Since then, Hunter has learned from other local players and played in a variety of groups and genres.  He cherishes the opportunity to carry on the musical traditions of his region.  He has introduced his son to the music and hopes to have him learn from the skilled teachers in the region and forge his own path.

jimlloydappalachianmusician.com