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Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018 Lineup
Bluegrass, Folk, and Americana coming to the porches of Oriental
July 25, 2018

T
he Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival is back for 2018. Thirty plus acts play the front porches of Oriental from October 5-7.

Ol' StoreThe Music Festival began in 2014 as a tribute to the music once played on the front porch of the Ol’ Store. The Ol’ Store no longer stands, but the music plays on. Now bands, both new and familiar, play Bluegrass, Folk, Americana, Gospel, Country, and more from the porches of Oriental… as their audience walks (or rides) from one outdoor performance to the next.

THE HEADLINERS
Chatham County Line Bluegrass, Country Chatham County Line has been making music and touring together since the 90s. Formed in Raleigh, the quartet create original music built on Bluegrass bones. With seven albums to their credit, they have a full touring schedule at American Folk festivals and beyond. Chatham County Line is the 2018 Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival Headliner and will play on Saturday, October 6 from 3-5p.

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018



Tellico Bluegrass, ‘Appalachiacana’
Tellico have crafted a a style steeped in tradition. From their bio: “Tellico creates an innovative sound that redefines what today’s Southern Appalachian music can be. Instead of modernizing tradition, Tellico takes it deeper, effortlessly weaving meaningful, imaginative songwriting with intelligent arrangements. There is no gimmick here, and yet, there is nothing tired or cliche. Tellico explores the beauty of songcraft through the lens of tradition and an unmistakable sound.”

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018


The Hall Sisters Country-Pop, Seasonal, Big-Band
The Hall Sisters have a national touring schedule and four albums to their credit with performances at Carnegie Hall and The Grand Ole Opry. From their bio: “The word synergy best describes the quartet in that the combined output of their talents and musicality is greater than the sum of each individual part. A vocal/instrumental foursome of talented siblings, the Hall Sisters marry stunning harmonies along with a brilliance and excellence on their instruments to create an entirely unique sound.”

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018
THE PORCH PERFORMERS
Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018 Downtown Abby & The Echoes Soul, Mo-Town, Rock Hailing form the mountains of North Carolina, Downtown Abby and The Echoes take their musical cues from old-soul and Mo-Town, delivering modern soul rock. From their bio: “DownTown Abby & The Echoes has never been more focused on its mission to bring funky, dance-inducing original tunes to the places you most love to hear music.”

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Connie Mason Folk Connie is a musician, oral historian, folklorist, and singer/songwriter. She’s worked with the NC Maritime Museum and performed at the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival in Washington, DC. Connie has recorded three albums of original and traditional music: Calico Creek Waltz, Christmas Quiet Harbors, and Bogue Sound Watermelon Blues.

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018 Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs Americana, Folk(ish) The Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs, a trio from Winston-Salem, NC, use guitars, harmonicas, banjos, mandolins, and a melodica to craft their sound. From their bio: “Blending their unique musical sensibilities, The Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs seek to craft an entertaining experience that has a little something for everyone.”

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Flat Mountain Dulcimers Old Time, Celtic, Bluegrass, Gospel Performing together for over a decade, the Flat Mountain Dulcimers return again to the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival. All in the trio play dulcimer, but each member brings an additional sound to the group with a guitar, mandolin, or cello.



Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018The Pinkerton Raid Indie-Rock, Americana From Durham, NC, The Pinkerton Raid released their fourth full-length album, WHERE THE WILDEST SPIRITS FLY, in May of 2018. From their bio: “Searing and colorful imagery…story-driven material with more to say than a catchy chorus…[in] the tradition of artists — Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke — writing about social change.”- Wilmington Star News They’ve shared stages with The Ballroom Thieves, Dom Flemons, and Noah Gundersen.

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Honey Magpie Indie Folk With their first album under their belt, Honey Magpie returns to the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival. From their bio: “Their sound is both traditional and modern, blending classical string instruments and three-part harmonies with pop, rock, and indie influences.”


Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018mahaloJazz Jazz Three eclectic (and sometimes improvisational) musicians came together to form mahaloJazz. Performing jazz standards and original tunes, mahaloJazz delivers a unique performance every time they play.




Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Amigo Alt-Country, Rock and Roll From Charlotte, NC, Amigo have a country-rock sound woven lyrics both funny and deceptively dark. “This is what it’s all about – a great band of good musicians who know how to write funny songs, sad songs, clever songs, songs that rock and roll.” – Paul Zollo, American Songwriter


Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Jason Hoss Hicks Old-Timey, Country-Blues, Jazz Hoss (to his friends) has a sound that ranges across the early 20th century: 1920s jazz, skiffle folk, or Western Swing Jazz to name a few. A little vintage, a little twangy, Jason Hoss Hicks creates a danceable sound with something for everyone to enjoy.


Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Laurel Creek Bluegrass Laurel Creek is a bluegrass band based in Durham, NC, that has been playing traditional bluegrass in the Durham area for the past ten years. A few years ago, while performing at a local church, they teamed up with pastor Jimmy Weaver to play some contemporary Christian and pop music. At the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival they will play traditional bluegrass as Laurel Creek and sixties pop as the Junk in the Truck Band.

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018The River Ratz Americana Born in Bluegrass and Appalachian traditions, the River Ratz (named for founding couple Steve and Margie Ratzlaff) play in a variety of styles. The quartet can play mandolin, fiddle, and upright bass as well as the washboard, flute, and cowbell. Switching between popular covers and up-beat originals, the River Ratz perform country, rock, blues, and folk accompanied by 2, 3, and 4 part harmonies.

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Hooverville Americana, Country With a guitar, harmonica, electric bass, and bouzouki, Hooverville explore traditional southern themes. They have a vintage sound with contemporary styles and one of the Triangle’s more popular country bands.



Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Strung Together Band Folk, American, Bluegrass, Old-Time Strung Together Band got it’s start on a front porch in New Bern, NC. It’s a family effort. Mother, father, daughters and son; they all play and/or sing. With a little help from friends on percussion, Strung Together Band has been playing together since 2015, garnering praise for their sound and friendly stage presence.

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Cane Mill Road Bluegrass Cane Mill Road is from Doc Watson territory: Deep Gap, NC. The young players crowd-sourced the funds for their first album, which went on to hit #9 on the Billboard Bluegrass Album chart. From their bio: “Honoring the past the band strikes a balance between preserving the bluegrass mountain sound they were raised on and boldly rocking progressive interpretations of that same sound tackling not only complex original music, but classic covers of the Beatles, Dylan, and more.”

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Downeast Dulcimers Old-time, Celtic, Bluegrass Down East Dulcimers began playing together in 2010. Though two distinct groups for many years, they merged to allow for a wider range of instruments and vocal sound. The hammered and lap dulcimers, fiddle, dobro, cajon drum, penny whistle, harmonica, banjammer, U Bass, and mandolin are all represented among these musicians who love sharing the world of music together.

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Harbor Sounds Bluegrass An upright bass, fiddle, a banjo, and a guitar. They’ve been making it happen since 1998, using their music to raise money for charity. Harbor Sounds play a mix of bluegrass/gospel. To date, they’ve raised over $350,000 for local charities, churches, and Hurricane victims.

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Mitch Hayes Folk, Rock, Country, Blues, Americana Named the 2016 Americana/Folk Artist of the Year (Queen City Music Awards), Mitch Hayes released a his album Heroes in 2016. The singer/songwriters of the 60s heavily influenced his style. His “songs are expertly crafted and extremely melodic. At the end of every tune you’re saying to yourself, “That was a great song.” – Pierce Brochetti, Music Connection

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Come Blow Our Horns Classical, Pop Three educators. Three French Hornists. They play support for larger groups and ensembles. As a trio, they entertain with short classical pieces and familiar popular songs.





Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Brant Island Strings Contemporary Folk, Classic Rock, Bluegrass Brant Island Strings have been playing together around Oriental and Arapahoe for almost a year. In that short time they have bonded as a group, sharing their love for musical experimentation and the sheer joy of making music together. Combining a lifetime of musical experience, their sounds reflect an eclectic mix of old and new, featuring complex harmonies, driving rhythms, and lively guitar and mandolin solos.

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Brittany Jean Country A singer/songwriter from the Pacific Northwest, Brittany Jean released her third album in January, a compilation of songs about the people you take with you in life. She is currently on her Wander With Me tour. This is her second appearance at the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival.

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Green Creek Bluegrass Bluegrass This group of players remember the Ol’ Store the music festival honors; they played there 36 years ago. Half the members are family to the original owners and the other half just love to play. They are always a big hit with the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival.




Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Melissa Plett
Alt-Country
Canadian born Melissa Plett is lauded for her storytelling abilities. A natural stage performer, Melissa crafts songs that pull the audience in, keeping their attention from one verse to the next. “There is a lot of down-home, old-school country music in the mix here. The music ranges from evocative ballads to bluesy tunes and rockers. It’s a solid set with a lot of traditional and classic tones in place.” – Gary Hill, Music Street Journal


Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Gospel Ensemble
Gospel
This combined group is homegrown here in Oriental and sings their praises at Pierce Chapel AME Zion Church and Pilgrim Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. They have plenty of reasons to lift their voices in praise and always draw a crowd at the Festival.

Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Byron “Barry” Bey
Americana, Folk, Rock
Singer/songwriter Barry Bey is from Raleigh. He has performed on radio and television, including in an episode of “Matlock.” He served as an award-winning educator in coastal North Carolina for many years. At his Somewhere Recording Studio, Bey has recorded his own songs and collaborated with other musicians. His songs share easy melodies and lyrics that lean toward a descriptive, picture-painting mode.



Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Moore’s Creek Bluegrass
Bluegrass
Moores Creek Bluegrass was formed in 2009 by Shane Harris and Gary Goodwin. With an ear for the classic sounds and the motivation for the progressive style, Moores Creek Bluegrass has honed their sound. It’s a sound where you’ll hear an influence by bands like Flat & Scruggs and The Seldom Scene.


Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018UHOOs
Ukulele, Folk, Pop
The UHOOs are an eclectic group of ukulele strummers and pluckers from Oriental, NC – playing the often misunderstood and under appreciated ukulele.


Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018The Del Rios
Country, Folk
Patrick and Jennifer Del Rio met in Oriental and it was music that brought them together. Jennifer began learning to play piano from the age of 4. She played percussion in school and was a member of the school choir. Patrick picked up the banjo at age 14. He has performed in many bands and now plays the mandolin, guitar, banjo, ukulele, and saw. Patrick “discovered” Jennifer singing Patsy Cline standards at Paradise Cove Marina a few years ago and persuaded her to join his band. They’ve been performing together ever since and were married in 2012.


Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Pamlico Flutes
Classic, Celtic, Old Pop
The Pamlico Flutes include alto flutist Janis Rott, popular New Bern musician Denton Dodd, fearless leader Tara Howard-North, flutist & runner Michelle Noevere, and fifer & surgeon Caroline Paul.


Ol' Front Porch Music Festival 2018Glenn Eric Meganck
Folk, Alt-Rock, Americana
Singer/songwriter (and author) Meganck’s music is humorous and thoughtful. “Glenn Eric is one of those quirky singer-songwriters whose music can fit in several different genres from folk to alt rock to Americana, and manage to push the envelope in all of them.” – MW, Music Morsels Reviews

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Posted Wednesday July 25, 2018 by Allison DeWeese


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