Of note More grabbing and growling: Not content with the success of Grab a Root and Growl, local bluegrass heroes Sons of Ralph have begun working on a new album. Tune to This should see release this September. “We’ve written a lot of new stuff,” said guitarist Marty Lewis of the project, “and a couple […]

Of note Asheville-based singer/songwriter Ginny Wilder is currently working on a new album. Lessons in Life and Love is the third studio effort for Wilder, and her first collaboration with producer Fran McKendree. For more information, visit www.ginnywilder.com. Local punk group Junior Varsity is looking for a new drummer (longtime member Matt Ring has left […]

From the start, their love is doomed. He’s a reluctant soldier, trying to fight for his nation’s independence from a tyrannical king. She, by a cruel twist of fate, is a loyalist to the Crown. Though their feelings are true, destiny has placed a pair of seemingly insurmountable obstacles between them: (1) An epic battle […]

Relationships form the core of les caison III’s latest show. Day & Night yields coy glimpses into a world of flirtatious first encounters, newly established emotions, and firmly rooted togetherness. caison is based in Asheville, and you may have seen his large-scale works adorning the walls of local places such as The Golden Horn Restaurant […]

Of note And the award goes to: On Saturday, May 11, regional bluegrass-gospel group The Cockman Family won the Lion Bill Edwards award, presented by the Mocksville Lions Club. The group was presented with the award for their “outstanding contribution to old time and bluegrass music.” For more information, visit www.cockmanfamily.com. (Look for a feature […]

Of note New CD, no bull: Newly formed area metal band BullRush is currently at Sleeping Wolf Productions in Maggie Valley recording its debut CD. Although details on the effort are sketchy, the group’s plan is to release a full-length album later this year. For more information, visit www.bullrushrocks.com. Speaking of new CDs: Roots-rockers Acoustic […]

Let’s face it: America’s anthems are dull. Sure, we all love our country, but let’s be frank — the great songs celebrating our united history of sacrifices and struggles for freedom just don’t make you want to boogie, do they? All that will change, however, if Fisher Mehan (better known by his first name in […]

Of note Folkie Newsflash: Singer/songwriter Brianna Lane (www.briannalanemusic.com) is currently recording her debut album, on rooftops, with the aid of local producer Chris Rosser. The album should be available in July. OEF finds new bassist: Just a few days after Asheville-based heavy-metal band One-Eyed Fish parted ways with bassist Slim, the band found a replacement […]

Of note Good news, bad news: The Asheville-based eclectic-rock band ChunkStyle has nearly finished recording its first full-length release. Sadly, it looks like it will also be the band’s last release: Founding member James Moats is leaving the group, and remaining members Dan Taylor and Lincoln Benson do not wish to continue the project without […]

Of note The Nikki Talley Band has recently announced it’s working on a new, as yet unnamed CD. There has been no news of a release date for the effort. The group recently re-entered the local music scene after a brief hiatus. For more information, visit www.nikkitalley.com. Local indie/punk label Celibate Records has a new […]

Of note Folk headliner David LaMotte has won yet another award for his music. His song “Drops Like Me,” from his children’s album, S.S. Bathtub, took first place in the Northern California Songwriter Association Song Contest for 2002. For more information, visit www.davidlamotte.com. Area rock act Eight-53 has recently parted with guitarist Billy Kendall. Kendall […]

Of note Piedmont Charisma‘s first release, a self-titled 7-inch vinyl EP, has recently been reissued; the new run of the album is pressed on white vinyl. The previous pressing sold out of stock after just a few months. “They’re fancy,” explained Piedmont Charisma bassist Chad Pry of the new look. Local heavy rockers MiniVoid are […]

Of note Still reeling from recent underhanded local political machinations? If so, you might want to check out Jr. James & The Late Guitar‘s new on-line single, “Too Much Trouble,” a humorous take on the recent political woes in Woodfin. Visit www.atonemusic.com. Roster update … the Asheville-based heavy-metal band Redshift has a new member. Guitarist […]

Of note Maggie Valley-based hard-rock band Vic Crown has announced plans to release a new CD in late April. The album, Long Time Coming, will contain 12 songs. For more information, visit www.viccrown.com. Asheville-based heavy-metal band Redshift has recently parted ways with keyboardist Nate Juraschek. The split was apparently a friendly one. For more information, […]

Of note A-Tone Recording artists Jr. James & The Late Guitar have a new, full-length release in the works. The album, currently titled Soundproof Room, is due in June. For more information, visit www.atonemusic.com. Former UNCA Battle of the Bands winners The Think Canoe have recently finished recording their debut EP, Urban Gas. No release […]

Of note Local band ChunkStyle is looking for a new drummer. The group’s previous drummer, Adam Clark, left the band last month for personal reasons. Interested percussionists can find out more at www.chunkstyle.cjb.net. Asheville-based rock acts Drug Money and The Makeout Room are due to be featured on the soundtrack to the indie film Shakers. […]

Of note Local rock photographer Bo Post is exploring her musical side. Post is set to pen the music for the upcoming short film The Enigma: Tanner Hyde, a mockumentary about a “white-trash country singer.” The film, directed by UNCA student Margaret Lauzon, should debut in late May. Saturday March 2 is a day local […]

Long before he invented the first practical synthesizer, won a Grammy or even moved to Asheville, Dr. Robert Moog was a child in Queens, practicing piano under the eye of his ambitious mother. She had visions of her son as a famous concert pianist. And while that didn’t happen, Moog’s name — much like that […]

Of note Asheville resident and musical trailblazer Robert Moog recently received a Technical Grammy Award for his contributions to recording. Moog is the inventor of the Moog Synthesizer, which has revolutionized music since its introduction in 1965. Moog’s company, Big Briar Instruments, is based locally. For more information, visit www.bigbriar.com. (Look for a feature story […]

Of note Regional favorites The Goodies finally have a new full-length album in the works. Rumored to contain more than 20 tracks, the as-yet-unnamed effort is a follow-up to the group’s recent EP, Postcard. The Goodies have had a turbulent time during the past few years, including a brief breakup, and have only recently returned […]

Of note Local roots-rock group Black Eyed Dog‘s recently released second album, Distance Inbetween, has been selling far better than expected, and will soon be going into a second printing. “[T]here’ll be a second run in the spring sometime with a small N.C. label,” explains front man Brian Landrum via e-mail, adding, “we’ll probably have […]