Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
A new feature here, highlighting some of what’s happening on the Asheville music scene.
-Songstress Jane Kramer, formerly of the Barrel House Mamas in Asheville, will debut her new CD, Carnival of Hopes, with a homecoming show on Feb. 26 at the Grey Eagle featuring an all-star cast of local musical collaborators, including River Guerguerian and Eliot Wadopian of Free Planet Radio, Franklin Keel of Sirius B, JP Furnas of Empire Strikes brass, and collaborators Pace Conner and Michael Evors of Georgia.
-Anya Hinkle of Tellico has just about fully recovered after developing Bell’s Palsy, a paralysis or weakness of muscles on one side of the face, which caused her to cancel a couple of shows. From Anya:
I just wanted to send out a huge “thank you” for all the support and well wishes since I developed Bell’s Palsy. It was a really challenging situation, especially at first as I was adjusting to the symptoms, but I am now basically completely recovered! Also I’m so grateful for Asheville Community Acupuncture who I went to see right away and treated me throughout the process, really the only treatment that could address the condition. If you or anyone you know ever develops this, you can file that away. These things make you super grateful for health, love, family, friends, and access to health care.
-Unsigned Asheville musicians can enter to win a chance to play NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series. Bands and musicians can submit original video entries to the NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest Jan. 12 through Feb. 2 at npr.org/tinydeskcontest. From the press release:
WNC musicians interested in entering NPR Music’s 2016 Tiny Desk Contest must play one original song at a desk (any desk – get creative), upload a video of the performance to YouTube and submit with the entry form at npr.org/tinydeskcontest. NPR Music welcomes music from all genres and, and 2015 entrants are encouraged to participate again this round with new material.
A panel of musicians from the Tiny Desk roster – Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys and The Arcs, Lucius ladies Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, and soul artist Son Little – will join Boilen and All Songs Considered co-host Robin Hilton in selecting one Contest winner, to be announced in March 2016. Throughout the three-week submission period and afterwards, NPR Music will also feature select video entries on the Contest Tumblr, which already includes highlights from the 2015 Contest.
– The White Horse Black Mountain will celebrate with a free Christmas Eve show at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Owner Bob Hinkle has assembled a talented cast of White Horse friends and family for the 60-90 minute show,including songstress Rhoda Weaver, Mark Fuller and more. There will also be a Christmas carol sing-along.
-The Black Lilies are performing at Oskar Blues Brewery in Brevard on New Year’s Eve. Tickets are $45.
-Donna the Buffalo performs at The Orange Peel on Jan. 23, with City of The Sun opening. Tickets are $20 in advance.
-Lowland Hum, a wife-husband art/folk duo, will play The Mothlight on Feb. 5. Tickets to the 8:30 p.m. show are $10 in advance. Fellow N.C. band Bombadil is on the bill, too.
-Larry Keel will independently release his next album in February 2016, featuring guests Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Keller Williams, Jason Carter, Mike Guggino, and Anders Beck.
-Big Ears festival in Knoxville in March promises innovation and and diversity, says Asheville Grit.
-CeeLo Green is coming to The Orange Peel in March.
