| Sweet Potato Pie | |
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Sweet Potato Pie formed in January of 2000, with Sonya, Penny, and Angela. Sonya was 7 months pregnant with her third child with a guitar strapped over her stomach, Penny had just bought her first banjo a few months before, and Angela had been away from music for a number of years and wanted to learn to play the bass. "We were not your typical band by any stretch. We really were not planning on performing, we only wanted to play a little music. Our shows have been described as classy, warm, funny and engaging." The variety of music ranges from classics like Pasty Cline, Bill Monroe, and Hank Williams, to new originals that are sure to win your heart. Some observers have said that the Pie is destined for greatness and only time will tell. |
| Nu-Blu | |
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Nu-Blu is a new band that projects a dynamic new edge while still being grounded in the traditions and fundamentals of bluegrass music. Nu-Blu was formed in the fall of 2003. Our goal was to develop a band that would give the audience a new experience, but still stay within the realms of bluegrass. By mixing original material, traditional songs, and pulling in material from outside of bluegrass, we have strived to created a unique, yet driving sound. Our band is a dedicated team that is the heart and soul of Nu-Blu. Without their willingness to succeed and the patience to "do it till it's right", Nu-Blu could not be the up and coming band that it is.
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| Old Habits | |
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Old Habits is a traditional bluegrass band hailing from Raleigh, NC (& the surrounding area). The members have similar interests in playing traditional and progressive bluegrass, drawing influences from Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Del McCoury, Sam Bush and Tim O'Brien. Old Habits has quickly developed a classic sound, fueled by powerful harmonies and strong instrumentals. Expect a fun show filled with a mix of original material and traditional bluegrass songs.
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| Tommy Edwards, LaNelle Davis and Lonsome Heart | |
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Tommy Edwards, LaNelle Davis and Lonesome Heart bring an old fashioned bluegrass sensibility to their music. Both of them are experienced professionals, having performed in a variety of popular string bands. Mandolinist Edwards has been the lead singer with The Bluegrass Experience since its inception and Davis was a vocalist and the original bassist with Big Medicine with whom she recorded two critically acclaimed discs. They are joined in Lonesome Heart by the talented guitarist and singer Ben Runkle and banjo master Stan Brown. Runkle performed with Edwards in his college days and often appears with The Leroy Savage Group. Multi-instrumentalist Brown is a former member of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys and spent many years in in Nashville where he performed on The Grand Ole Opry as banjoist with pioneer female singer Wilma Lee Cooper and bassist with gold record seller Skeeter Davis. He has recorded with Grammy winner Jim Lauderdale, Vassar Clements, Molasses Creek and a host of national and regional music standouts. Blessed with 4 singers and virtuoso instrumentalists the group employs a variety of combinations to perform an extremely diverse repertoire which includes originals by both Davis and Edwards, traditional country and bluegrass songs and the occasional re-engineered folk or rock song. Davis and Edwards first performed together in the acoustic swing band Hot Tub of Grits. Recognizing that they had similar musical tastes and extremely compatible voices, they soon recorded together and their rendition of Edwards' "One More Glass of Wine" became one of the top 10 most requested songs on WQDR's popular Pinecone Bluegrass Show in 2006. Seeking to expand their opportunities to sing together they performed in a variety of duet and trio combinations and were honored and pleased when Runkle and Brown who both sing baritone and bass agreed to join them in forming Lonesome Heart. The band's specialties are paint-peeling duets, as well as smooth trios and gospel quartets all of which sound as though they were recorded in the 1950's, the golden age of bluegrass and country music. |