Smart bets: Sweet Claudette and Bombadil

Four- and six-part vocal harmonies and multicolored kazoos captivate audiences when Western North Carolina supergroup Sweet Claudette takes the stage. The country Motown quartet, composed of Amanda Platt (The Honeycutters), Melissa Hyman (The Moon and You), Amber Lyle Sims and Dulci Ellenberger (Now You See Them), supplements itsr intricate vocals with cello, banjo, melodica and […]

Smart bets: Balsam Range

Named after the majestic range of mountains where the Smokies meet the Blue Ridge, Balsam Range has been steadily making its mark on the bluegrass scene since the five musicians came together in 2007. The band’s 2012 album, Papertown, won the 2013 IBMA Album of the Year award, and expectations are high for the group’s […]