Davidson River Taiko

Davidson River Taiko (DRT) is a Japanese drumming ensemble, a performing group unlike any other in the Southern Appalachian region. Headed by musician and educator Bobby Fish and born of a vision to create an “alternative” music program for students at Davidson River School, DRT is an elective course and performance ensemble that offers students the opportunity to become more invested in school while growing mentally, physically, socially, and artistically.

Marc Yaxley

Brevard’s own Jazz guitarist Marc Yaxley, plays a wide variety of styles ranging from Classical to Contemporary Jazz. Marc is a well respected performer, teacher and ambassador for music and has enriched all who have heard him play. He is joined by various musicians and it’s always a treat to see who will be joining him. Check out his CD recorded live here in Brevard at the Porter Center on the Campus of Brevard College. Marc is currently on faculty at UNC-Asheville.

Nikki Talley

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Nikki Talley, a self taught musician and singer/songwriter with a powerful voice & strongly emotional lyrics blasted back on the scene after a short stint in Canada with the release of “TELLING LIES” in 2007. She captures her roots as a daughter of a folksinger herself with her follow up in 2008 “To Be a Bird” Guest appearances include Brevard’s own Annie Talley (Nikki’s mom & muse), Michael Guggino (Steep Canyon Rangers) and Tim Gardener (High Windy). Unlike many vocalists with power, Nikki displays dexterous control truly using her voice as an instrument. She is currently writing new material for an upcoming release.

Patrick Smith Band

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Patrick Smith’s music is heavy with tradition, well crafted, and performed. His music is full of place, bringing all that the Mississippi River melting pot has to offer with it. He deftly fuses various influences that rolled in on that mighty river to his hometown of Vicksburg, Mississippi, weaving into his songs delta blues, barrelhouse rocking piano riffs, wailing jazz, underbelly soul, heart-wrenching gospel, and the funkiness of a New Orleans brass band. Patrick’s throaty, warm voice ties his sound tightly together. It easy to see why many great artists like the North Mississippi Allstars, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and Jimbo Mathis have all utilized his talents.

Bobby Powell, Tim Jones & Carolina Blue

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Transylvania County natives Bobby Powell and Tim Jones are yet another example of the mountain music tradition that is rich here. They cut their teeth under the tutelage of Roy Chapman as part of his band “True Bluegrass.” Roy is know locally as the person keeping the torch of bluegrass alive in Transylvania Co. He has undoubtedly influenced the thriving bluegrass scene here. Bobby and Tim are continuing to keep the tradition going.

Jeff, Ike & Mike

Featuring Jeff Sipe, Ike Stubblefield and Mike Seal
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Jeff Sipe is the consummate drummer. His talents and his thoughtful nature have made him a highly respected and sought after musician. He was a founding member of the Rock group “Aquarium Rescue Unit” which featured current members of Widespread Panic and the Allman Brothers Band. Then toured with Grammy nominated Susan Tedeschi, Leftover Salmon, Keller Williams and Phil Lesh to highlight just a few of the projects and artists he performs or records with. He is at the core a musician of free expression and when not on his own projects he is often working with other great artists. For his latest project, Jeff brings together a veteran and an immensely talented young lion in Ike Stubblefield and Mike Seal.

Ike has performed and recorded with The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Rare Earth. Getting back to his roots on Hammond B3 organ in 1970 and with his vast understanding of music and feel, Ike Stubblefield performed live on stage from 1970-1975 with George Benson, B.B. King, Ike and Tina Turner, Curtis Mayfield, Al Green, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, The Jerry Garcia Band, Johnny Adams, Bobby Caldwell, Boz Scaggs, Esther Phillips and The Pointer Sisters.

Mike Seal at only 24 has been performing with the Jeff Sipe Trio for several years and also worked with Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck, Dave Matthews). His tastefully expressive playing is making him much in demand.

This is a funky soul, bluesy jazz musical stew dowsed with improvisation, certainly made for dancing and requiring a second helping.

Jonathan Scales Fourchestra

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“…joyously inventive…” is how Jazz Times describes the work of Asheville-based steel drummer Jonathan Scales. Mixing a traditional Caribbean instrument with a contemporary jazz attitude, Jonathan Scales’ music pushes the steel pan into the realms of funk, rock, and even bluegrass while still digging into the roots of traditional world sounds such as reggae and Latin. His intricate, instrumental writing combines with metric complexities to weave seamlessly between musical styles. The music world was introduced to Jonathan with his 2007 release, One-Track Mind, which brought him critical acclaim and 2008 ushered in Jonathan Scales’ 2nd studio release Plot/Scheme, featuring drum guru Jeff Sipe & Grammy award winning sax man Jeff Coffin.

brotherbrother

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Brett and Adam were more than friends in a close-knit community; they were brothers. It wasn’t until high school that either of them became serious about playing music together. Their first venture into music was in a band organized by their English teacher, Bob. Band practices were more entertaining than melodious meaning everybody within earshot was most likely unappreciative. However, the focus was on having fun – and it still is. As Brett and Adam became better musicians and better at playing together, they realized that people enjoyed listening to what they did for fun. Their light-hearted and cheerful dispositions genuinely show through in their music, which is not to say that their music is light-hearted fluff. On the contrary, the emotion with which they write is genuine and it is apparent in their freshman recording effort “Alive.”

Bone Pony

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Based in Nashville, TN and one of White Squirrel Fest favorites from past years, Bone Pony is an acoustic-soul, rock and roll group that emphasizes great melody, musicianship and songwriting. They are veterans of the business with multiple cd releases and have forged there own path as an independent group. Great energy and catchy songs. The band is currently touring in support of their new cd “Feeling It.” Dancing recommended.

Tom Fisch

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Tom Fisch is a recent addition to Western NC moving to Flat Rock in 2004. He is an award-winning singer-songwriter who traded Nashville for the Blue Ridge Mountains. While spending 13 years in Nashville he had great success as a publisher and songwriter where some of his songs were recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys and Swiss country singer Erica Arnold to name a few. His early influences include Doc Watson, John Prine and Steve Goodman. Tom is now performing in support of his new CD, October Boy which reflects the influence of area that he now calls home.

Jupiter Coyote

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Truly a bands, that defies categorizing, Jupiter Coyote combines a unique blend of roots influences to create a sound that is known to its fans as “coyote music.” Drawing from bluegrass, country-rock, blues, funk and R&B they created a rock and roll sound that is eclectic and original. Part of their uniqueness is their instrumentation utilizing a “guijo,” an electric strat-style guitar with 5 strings on a banjo neck and fiddle. This allows the band to amalgamate the different influences into the sound that some have called “mountain rock.” Often misinterpreted as a “jam band” they are really a roots –rock band known for prolific songwriting. Improvisation is a part of what they do but it is their songs that have paved the way to such a long career.

In the course of the band’s 20 year history, Jupiter Coyote has established itself as the model for the touring band. They have toured the country, visited Europe and with international distribution spread American Roots Rock around the globe. Creating their own enterprise, Jupiter Coyote independently handled all operations forming its own record label, writing all original material, operating publishing and merchandising. The band has had many achievements from touring with the Allman Brothers Band to recording an ad for Coca Cola and with over 300,000 cds sold have built a die-hard fan base along the way.

Moses Atwood

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Moses Atwood is a performer. Not just another singer/songwriter, his music is rooted in blues but with a melodic sense that is more contemporary. He has been called gregarious and open with a powerful tenor voice contrasted yet complimented by his instrument of choice, guitar or resonator guitar. Rare is it that we find an artist who can deliver the emotionality that is often times only present with lyric. His writing and his persona seem to come from a soul that is old yet when you look at this talented young artist it makes you wonder if he hasn’t experienced a previous life. His songs are well formed and intelligent. He has recently relocated to Asheville from the North East. Let’s hope he sticks around. Have a drink and sit and listen!

Woody Pines

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Certain talented musicians have the ability to transport the listener to a different time by just hitting some strings or directing the air that fills their lungs. For Woody Pines you find yourself in the Mississippi Delta when AM radio was king. The band; comprised of Woody on guitar, banjo, harmonica and lead vocals, Zack Pozebanchuk on upright bass, Nathan Taylor on drums, and Darin Gentry on fiddle; epitomizes the Dixieland sound and embraces a simpler time. Spending time in New Orleans to learn not just the music but also the culture and bringing it back to Asheville, everything from swing band to old country blues goes into their music, along with life’s influences.

Uncle Mountain

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Uncle Mountain is a rock quintet from western North Carolina. They are characterized by song driven music with explorative and theatrical arrangements drawing influences from artists like Paul Simon, Wilco, The Beatles, and a variety of world music. Since the release of their first LP “Salt Sweet and Memory Feet,” Uncle Mountain has performed across North Carolina for concerts and festivals. The raucous “Peace of Mind” is featured in the soundtrack and opening sequence of the independent film “The Graduates,” directed by New York’s Ryan Gielen, winner of the 2008 “Rhode Island International Film Festival Director Discovery Award.” Most recently, the seasoned and regionally praised choreographer Tommi Galaska choreographed “Salt Sweet and Memory Feet” in its entirety to create “Moonlight and Molasses,” a dance production for East Carolina University.

Randy Joe Galloway

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Randy Joe Galloway’s music is rock and roll with elements of country and blues reminiscent of the 70’s. This Brevard local has found his way back to music after a very eclectic career that included bounty hunting. His latest release of all original tunes “The Blue Fire” displays his influences and caught the attention of Tree Records which will represent him for the next five years.

Dehlia Low

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Emerging out of Asheville, North Carolina’s roots renaissance, Dehlia Low echoes the sounds of early country with a strong bluegrass flavor, crafting a fresh originality that feels like home. Since August of 2007, the group has quickly developed a devoted fan base with the help of their self-titled EP, receiving national and international reviews and radio play. In 2009, Dehlia Low traveled across the US on the national festival circuit in support of their first full-length release “Tellico” that showcases the group’s songwriting talents as well as outstanding vocal and instrumental performances.

Sun Domingo

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Still new on the scene, Sun Domingo is often described as progressive pop rock by fans and critics. Already collecting a loyal fan base around the United States and now reaching fans in Europe, post-Modern Rock trio Sun Domingo shot onto the international stage when DIY (Do It Yourself) legends, Marillion invited them to Montreal as direct support for two nights in April 2009. The magic of their performance is captured in an upcoming live collection. In addition to this live CD release, the band is working on a studio album, to be released on Rock Ridge Music, meant to capture their unique sound and personality. Sun Domingo’s music is intelligent and reflective, full of melody and catchy hooks.

Lynn Goldsmith

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Lynn Goldsmith was born and raised in the Pisgah Forest community on the border of Transylvania and Henderson Counties. From grandparents and parents to the rock and folk music of the 60’s and 70’s, there were many musical influences at an early age and they are apparent in her songwriting. It is true Americana, full of flavors inspired by WNC. Her songs are peppered with bluegrass, country, folk and a little rock and roll.

John Zachary Hamilton

John Hamilton has been playing guitar and writing songs for as long as he can remember. “I really liked English in school, I liked reading, and those country songs just tell great stories,” he says. After graduating from Brevard College, Brevard native John Hamilton and fellow BC alumni Stan Stone, along with Hamilton’s childhood friends Jeff Delk and Chris Pangle formed the country-rock band Nuthin Fancy. After Nuthin Fancy disbanded, John, Stan, and Jeff teamed up with Nashville, TN friends Del Gray and Ronnie Guilbeau to form Copperline. John also spent a couple of years in Nashville, writing songs and making a lot of good contacts. He still commutes there some to write with friends. He has co-written songs with Jupiter Coyote and Craven Melon.