Golden Folk Holiday Special
ALL AGES 6PM DOORS / 7PM SHOW FULLY SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE GOLDEN FOLK HOLIDAY SPECIAL Open Folk Avl has rebranded to Golden Folk! Beyond the name change and the occasional addition of non-musical performing artists, everything else remains pretty much the same. You can still expect a silent audience, great sound, hand-picked artists, a fair amount of goofin, and a whole lot of heart. One of the most beloved traditions over the past three years has been the Holiday Special, and by popular demand, we’re bringing it back! Eight artists will each perform a holiday-inspired original and a holiday classic. For this very special event, we’ll be celebrating at one of the most iconic music venues in the Southeast: The Grey Eagle. Staying true to our values of accessibility, we’re offering tickets in three pricing tiers. The first two tiers guarantee entry and are available for presale only. Day-of-show tickets will be “pay what you can if you can.” with no one turned away for lack of funds. Here’s the breakdown: • $25 for Priority Seating (first three rows) • $10 General Admission (presale) • $0-$25 Day-of-Show (no minimum) We can’t wait to see y’all there
PATIO (FREE SHOW!): RADA Stroll with Emily Martin
– FREE SHOW!!! – ALL AGES – LIMITED SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED Emily Martin and her band is a blend of intrepid lyrics and modern folk-mountain sound. Having a penchant for the sweet spots of arrangement and connection, their sound is filled with nostalgia and leaves a hopeful resonance. Come to the Grey Eagle during the River Arts District stroll! FREE SHOW!! Show runs 1:00pm-2:15pm. Food and drink available from The Grey Eagle Taqueria. Family friendly show! Come fill your Saturday afternoon with food, drink, fun and some of the best live music Asheville has to offer – all in one place.
PATIO (FREE SHOW!): Darby Wilcox
– FREE SHOW!!! – ALL AGES – LIMITED SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED Stunning. Incisive. Heartbreaking. These are words that jump to mind when describing singer-songwriter and Mayor of Babetown, Darby Wilcox, whose powerful and commanding presence leaves her audiences captivated, charmed, and fascinated. With the dual powers of her tenderness and ferocity, she makes you feel as if you have been given a gift; a precious glimpse into the deepest depths of her secret soul. Her songs are places you’ve been before. They are pain. They are joy. They are honesty. They are your story through her eyes. It is this unadulterated vulnerability and strength in honesty that leaves Darby’s audiences with the feeling that ‘this too shall pass and in the morning I will try again,’ empowered, inspired, and likely misty-eyed. You can find Darby Wilcox in a plethora of venerable listening rooms, patios, and galleries throughout the Southeast, and you can find her music on any streaming platform where music is available. FREE SHOW!! Show runs 5:30-6:45. Food and drink available from The Grey Eagle Taqueria. Family friendly show! Come fill your Friday evening with food, drink, fun and some of the best live music Asheville has to offer – all in one place.
OUTPOST: Colin Cutler, Wild Roots, & AC Sapphire
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE Colin Cutler: Colin Cutler is a Greensboro, North Carolina-based singer-songwriter, folk musician, poet, and storyteller toting a banjo and guitar. Whether solo or with his band, Hot Pepper Jam, he is a wide-ranging performer whose musical roots draw from the breadth of American folk music—from Appalachian oldtime to blues to gospel to country to rock’n’roll—to form what No Depression has described as “one magnificent tapestry of roots music.”. While his first few albums were directly inspired by his background in oldtime music, his most recent effort was even more ambitious and electric. Tarwater was inspired by both life and the earthy characters of Georgia author Flannery O’Connor, achieving “…a juke joint energy coursing through it and a humidity that seems to sweat out the sins and the booze that these characters are often soaked in” (Paste). The 2022 Winner of the Susquehanna Folk Festival’s Emerging Artists Competition, the last couple years have seen Cutler playing across the Southeast, with appearances at Merlefest, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, the North Carolina Folk Festival, Antlers and Acorns Songwriters Festival, and the Carolina Bible Camp Bluegrass Festival. Wild Roots: Wild Roots is an independent, women-led band based in the AppalachianMountains of North Carolina. Headed by Julia Houghton and Olivia Moore, thegroup released their debut album, Wild Roots Rising, in 2021 and have sincecontinued to tour, playing stages and festivals across the country. Olivia andJulia have co-created music for nearly a decade and collaborate in many areasof life; in addition to being soul sisters, the two share a deep passion forsustainable living and environmental justice. While Wild Roots’ music celebratesthe joy of friendship and community, it also seeks to hold those in poweraccountable and question the status quo. Julia and Olivia harness their politicalpassions to shed light on issues of social injustice and the degradation of the natural world. AC Sapphire: Portland artist Ac Sapphire returns with the decadent new album Dec. 32nd, songs from a cycle that honors Sapphire at her best: guitar, and vocals front and center; celebrations of the songwriter, the shredder, that she is. Sapphire sits serenely among the songwriting class that is our generation’s Laurel Canyon sound. Ac’s music has a grasp on the cosmic side of Americana. She resides in Portland, but was once a desert denizen, and her southwestern exposure shows in the wide open, dusty, romantic sound of each song. She’s the winner of Relix Sonic Showdown, a finalist in the John Lennon songwriting contest. She’s shared the stage with artists like Son Little, long time friend Sunny War, and even been featured on a Shirley Manson (Garbage) song. Ac has played the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Treefort Music Fest. Even as this album is being released, she’s finishing recording another with New Song Music as the winner of their 2022 contest.
CANCELED: OUTPOST: Human Nip
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE **THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED*** Human Nip: Human Nip began as a group of friends getting together to jam and party in a West Asheville, NC basement. Numerous musicians entered the fray over the years influencing the Human Nip style and ability to improv when necessary. Currently, the band has evolved to be an original song based band while holding on to the concept of improvisational jamming. Their current live set includes covers from Phish, Bowie, Zappa, Talking Heads, the Doors, Zeppelin, Neil Young, and more. It’s like cat nip for people! Human Nip are: Ben White – Bass, Vocals, Harmonica Chuck Lee – Guitar, Vocals Jamie Hurlston – Drums Hayley Renae: Hayley Renae, a guitarist and singer-songwriter with a lifelong passion for music, crafts songs inspired by the Appalachian Mountains and her love for nature. Since moving to Asheville in 2021, she’s enchanted passersby with her loop station performances on the streets downtown. Her melodic tunes and uplifting lyrics encourage listeners to notice and appreciate the little things in life, especially the beauty of nature.
PATIO SHOW: The Tillers
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE The Tillers: The Tillers got their start in August 2007 when they started thumping around with some banjos and guitars and a big wooden bass. Their earliest gigs were for coins and burritos on the city’s famous Ludlow Street in the district of Clifton. The songs they picked were mostly older than their grandparents. Some came from Woody Guthrie, some were southern blues laments, and many were anonymous relics of Appalachian woods, churches, riverboats, railroads, prairies, and coal mines.Their look didn’t fit the stereotype. They were clearly recovering punk rockers with roots in city’s west side punk rock and hardcore scene. The punk influence gave their sound a distinctive bite, setting them apart from most other folk acts- a hard-driving percussive strum and stomp that brought new pulse and vinegar to some very old songs. But their musical range soon proved itself as they floated from hard-tackle thumping to tender graceful melody, all the while topped by Oberst and Geil’s clear tenor harmonies. They began picking up weekly gigs around the city’s bar scene. It didn’t take long before their signature treatment of classic folk songs became the preferred versions of Cincinnati locals. Their audiences swelled, growing into an assortment of grey-haired mechanics, neo-hippies, farmers, punkers, professors, and random strays all stomping, clapping, singing, and belting outbursts of “John Henry!” “Darlin’ Corey!” Ever since, the band has come to each show with the same energy. They are magnetic showmen, mature musicians, and colorful storytellers. Opening sets by The Montvales, and Frances Eliza Frances Eliza: Asheville-based singer/songwriter and guitarist Frances Eliza blends her love of songwriting with her passion for jazz, folk, and pop music. Performing around NC and SC for over a decade, Frances has been described as “An intimate storyteller who invites the listener into her private life as she shares and explores experiences of love, loss, and pain.” Influenced by artists like Joni Mitchell, The Cranberries and Taylor Swift, Frances has performed solo and with many talented musicians at hundreds of venues over the past decade, and has released 2 original EPs thus far.
The Wildwoods
ALL AGES STANDING ROOM ONLY RAIN OR SHINE ***THIS SHOW HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE GREY EAGLE AT 185 CLINGMAN AVE*** “Every note we play is a chapter in our story, a journey through the heart of American roots music. We’re The Wildwoods, where each lyric is a leaf in the vast forest of our sound.” In the heart of Lincoln, Nebraska, The Wildwoods emerge as a folk/Americana trio, a musical tapestry woven by husband-and-wife, Noah (guitar) and Chloe Gose (violin), alongside bassist Andrew Vaggalis. Their story is a symphony of exploration and connection, a journey that has taken them from the Midwest to international stages, carving out a unique place in the folk landscape. Their presence has graced stages alongside artists such as Mighty Poplar, Sierra Ferrell, Aiofe O’ Donovan, Melissa Carper, Jamie Wyatt and Joe Nichols at concerts and festivals like Summerfest, FreshGrass and the Oyster Ridge Music Festival. The Wildwoods have become a force in the folk scene, boasting accolades like being finalists at the FreshGrass Music Festival Band competition and Gems on VHS “Gems in the Rough” competition in 2023. Their songwriting prowess is underscored by semi-final placements in the International Songwriting competition, with tracks like “Untitled” and “Way of Train.” Recognized consistently at the Omaha Arts and Entertainment Awards, they were crowned “Best Band” by the Lincoln Journal Star’s Lincoln Choice Awards in 2022. Their sonic journey unfolds through albums like the debut “Sweet Nostalgia” (2017), followed by “Birdie & Goose” (2017), “Across A Midwest Sky” (2019), and their latest masterpiece, “Foxfield Saint John” (2023). The band’s evolution is evident in each track, a testament to their commitment to pushing musical boundaries. United by a passion for folk/Americana, the trio’s influences range from Watchhouse and Nickel Creek, to Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Their music, though comfortably under the folk/Americana umbrella, weaves intricate chord structures and emotional textures that defy genre boundaries. Together, their harmonies resonate with artful sincerity, drawing inspiration from nature, their shared experiences of growing up in Nebraska and life on the road.
OUTPOST: Dust Box Band
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE Dust Box Band – A collaboration among four talented singer-songwriters from Interlochen Arts Academy, Dust Box Band is touring from New York to South Carolina in August of 2024. Each artist brings original songs backed up by their multi-instrumentalist band members. This tour will showcase a high energy performance by the group that includes their original music as well as creative takes on classic covers. Dust Box Band is made up of the artists Sebastian Dallisay-Hocket (@sebastianjdallisay), Eliza Prymak (@elizaprymak), Imogene Stevens (@imogenestevens.music), and John Teti (@johnteti_music).
CANCELED: OUTPOST: River & Rail // Luke Vanhine & Samuel Gottlieb // Claire Hoke
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE ** THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED ** River & Rail: Grace and Alex Fincher wed in 2021, moving from Missouri to Nashville, TN and establishing Indie Folk/Americana duo, “River and Rail.” They have since performed over 100 shows- opening for acts such as Willi Carlisle, Esme Patterson, and The Arcadian Wild. Possessing a voice that is equal parts haunting and agile, Grace’s songwriting captivates the listener. Alex’s textural, melodic acoustic guitar and mandolin weaves between, adding plaintive supporting vocals. The two have crafted a rich yet close acoustic sound that leans into dynamics, nuanced embellishment, and out-of-the box musical changes. In November 2023, the duo released their debut EP “Trees and other Relatives” a collection of stories mined from Grace’s lineage. Claire Hoke: Claire Hoke is a North Carolina born, soulful song storyteller who weaves melodies that resonate with raw emotion and honesty. With an acoustic guitar in hand and a heart full of vulnerability, Claire’s music serves as a cathartic journey through the complexities of human experience. Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of folk and pop, Claire’s sound is a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. Her songs are windows into her inner world, exploring themes of struggle, growth, and resilience. As a songwriter, Claire confronts her own problems and feelings of discomfort, transforming them into melodic prose that resonate with authenticity. Through her music, she seeks not only to process her own emotions but also to create a space where others can find solace and connection. Luke Vanhine and Samuel Gottlieb will also be performing as a duo.
OUTPOST: Old Sap with Peter Stone & Anterra, and Southern Pine
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE Old Sap: Poet from Chicago, rambled out to Montana, cut a banjo from a tamarack, strings across the country, foot like a freight train, voice rushing down over lush Appalachia, sings a thrush tune through the rush hour and into your long-forgotten prairie dreams. Folk. Folk Rock. Americana. Anterra: Anterra is a multi-instrumentalist weaver of songs and siren of sorrow. She delicately intertwines ethereal, harmonically-rich, unexpected vocal arrangements with lush, powerful instrumentation; all a backdrop supporting her poignant and moving meditations on self-purpose and grief. A distinctive melodic and poetic voice in dark indie folk. Peter Stone: Peter Stone is an independent musician and a writer of songs that are equal parts intimate and cinematic, energetic and evocative, familiar and haunted. It’s easy to imagine any of Peter’s songs playing over the final shot of a film about love and loss, giving your tears just enough time to dry while the credits roll before you leave the theater. With a voice like warm evening sunlight creeping in through a ranch homestead’s western windows, it does not come as a surprise that they have lived all across the United States, acquiring dust and stories along the road. In addition to releasing their own music as a solo artist, Peter is also the co-founder and former guitarist of The Rare Occasions, an LA-based band whose explosive garage rock anthems and soaring melodies have been heard by millions of listeners around the world. Songs by The Rare Occasions featuring Peter’s guitar and songwriting contributions have been streamed over 500 million times worldwide. Southern Pine: Southern Pine is the moniker of songwriter and multi instrumentalist, Zack Kardon. Originally from the Northeast, Southern Pine now resides in Asheville, NC. Kardon’s songs look inward. They don’t seek to describe or explain but simply hover- bottling the essence of a feeling.
