Old Sap
2025-07-26 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | The Purple Onion, 16 E Main St, Saluda, NC, 28773, United States
ÒPoet 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.Ó In a live setting, Old Sap often performs as a stripped-down folk trio. The banjo sets the groove while the electric guitar and fiddle swarm and swoon around it. Next comes the stomp of the foot, like a freight train crossing an old steel bridge. Harmonies streak across the sky, prayers sent up millennia ago now swooping into the modern day. In a direct and energetic style, Old Sap stretches out a blanket and beckons listeners to lay down their troubles, lose their shoes, and dance around in the grass. It’s more sound than people expect from a few simple elementsÑa sound thatÕs surprising, familiar, modern and timeless all at once. Folk. Folk Rock. Americana.

Clay Ross
2025-07-31 19:30 - 21:30
Two-time GRAMMY¨ winner Clay Ross, founder of the chart-topping Gullah group Ranky Tanky and of the newly GRAMMY¨-nominated American Patchwork Quartet (Best Folk Album, 2025), steps into ÒsoloÓ mode, but heÕs not alone. For one night only at The Purple Onion, Clay shares the stage with his favorite new collaborator: his 10-year-old daughter, violinist and vocalist Isla Ross. Expect an intimate, joy-filled set where jazz standards swing into front-porch folk and classical gems, all threaded together by the easy banter of a father-daughter duo discovering the magic of music in real time. Bring the whole crew. Whether youÕre a long-time Ranky Tanky fan or catching APQÕs rising buzz, this family performance will leave you smiling long after the last note.

Sister Ivy
2025-08-02 20:00 - 22:00
Sister Ivy weaves sultry soul, jazz-infused groove, and indie-folk poetry into a sound thatÕs at once ethereal and grounded. Fronted by AshevilleÕs Rachel Waterhouse, the band blends hauntingly emotive vocals with layered instrumentation and unexpected harmonic turns. Their songs dive deepÑbridging the mundane and magicalÑwith themes of longing, identity, and transformation. Often described as Òdreamy soul-psych,Ó Sister IvyÕs sound is both experimental and deeply felt, offering a rich listening experience that lingers long after the last note.

A Tale Of Two
2025-08-07 19:30 - 21:30
This storytelling Americana blues duo blends the sultry jazz vocals of Stephanie Adlington with the swampy guitar stylings of Aaron Lessard. Known for their Southern-Gothic charm and cinematic flair, A Tale of Two crafts vivid, intimate tales of love, loss, and longing. Their vintage-inspired sound bridges folk, blues, and roots traditions, earning them a spotlight at AmericanaFest and acclaim as Òblues arias with soul, intrigue and power.Ó Their dynamic chemistry on stage captivates audiences, creating a live show that feels as timeless as it is emotionally raw.

Random Animals
2025-08-09 20:00 - 22:00
Random Animals is an Asheville, North Carolina based Indie-Soul quartet. A product of years of collaborations among the tight-knit quartet Ð most of whose members play in other bands in town (including The Get Right Band, Supatight and the Diamond River Band) Ð Random AnimalsÕ unique sound is defined by dreamy vocal harmonies, a driving rhythm section, thoughtful lyrics, and guitar arrangements that are tight yet melodic. Weaving together elements of indie-rock, funk, r&b, jazz and soul music, Random Animals puts on a dynamic show thatÕs aimed to please a diverse audience.

Zoe and Cloyd
2025-08-14 19:30 - 21:30
Klezgrass. This one word may best describe the vast musical world of Asheville, NC duo Zoe & Cloyd. Springing from rich and complementary traditions, the artistic stylings of fiddler/vocalist Natalya Zoe Weinstein and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist John Cloyd Miller fit together in a harmonic dovetail. Zoe & Cloyd delight audiences with soaring harmonies and heartfelt songwriting, seamlessly combining original bluegrass, klezmer, old-time and folk with sincerity and zeal.

Kristen Ford and Rachael Sage
2025-08-16 20:00 - 22:00
This powerhouse duo delivers an evening of bold, genre-blending performance and captivating songwriting. Kristen Ford commands the stage with high-energy, loop-driven indie rock infused with Americana spirit and raw emotional grit. Rachael Sage, an award-winning singer-songwriter, offers a rich tapestry of folk-pop melodies, classical undertones, and poetic lyrics that have drawn comparisons to Tori Amos and Ani DiFranco. Together, they create a dynamic musical experienceÑfierce, heartfelt, and unforgettably original..

Cowboy Judy
2025-08-21 19:30 - 21:30
Female fronted super group, Cowboy Judy (formally Sweet Claudette,) is the bringing together of worlds, in the best of ways. Singing an upbeat hybrid of country and motown, you would be hard pressed to find another group as gifted with their harmonies and charisma as you have here. Boasting the talents of Amanda Ann Platt, Amber Sankaran, Dulci Ellenberger, and Melissa Hyman, Cowboy Judy plays an eclectic mix of soulful country, rocking motown, and vibrant originals. Coupled with the charm and energy of these self proclaimed Òsongbirds,Ó this is a group that will not only grab you with their fluid harmornies, but also with their engaging showwomanship.

The Moon and You
2025-08-23 20:00 - 22:00
At its core, The Moon and You is a charismatic husband-and-wife team. Melissa Hyman plays cello, Ryan Furstenberg plays guitar and banjo, and both sing in Òvoices that sound like they were made for one anotherÓ (Bill DeYoung, Connect Savannah). But whatever you might assume based on their gorgeous vocal blend and heartfelt lyrics, this ainÕt your basic folk duo. With a rotating cast of talented friends to add unexpected instrumentation to their lineup, The Moon and You never plays the same show twice. This ever-evolving, expandable and collapsible model leaves the band constantly reinventing itself in ways both surprising and satisfying.

Asheville Junction
2025-08-28 19:30 - 21:30
Asheville Junction is a bluegrass/Americana band from the high country of North Carolina. Their lively, entertaining shows feature hot fiddlin’, vocals, harmonies and much more. Folks find themselves singing, clapping, and toe-tappin’ along to the music. Asheville Junction formed when mother-daughter duo Tierra and Maria Raiti moved to Asheville and joined up with long-time local musicians Brad Pope on upright bass, Tim Comstock on mandolin and Ken Sager on dobro.

Get Right Band
2025-08-30 20:00 - 22:00
The Get Right Band is a psychedelic indie rock power trio from Asheville, NC. They are a band focused on following their muses to honest self-expression, to whatever excites them and pushes them into unexplored territory. Proudly carrying the torch for a long line of genre-bending power trios from Cream to The Jimi Hendrix Experience to The Police. ItÕs the space between the notes, the rawness and the maneuverability, that makes a power trio, well, so damn powerful. The Get Right Band has tight and diverse jams along with a distinctive, intellectual – but accessible – worldview.

Wes Collins
2025-09-04 19:30 - 21:30
Wes Collins is a fingerstyle guitarist and award-winning songwriter whose intricate playing and insightful lyrics draw listeners in from the first note. Winner of the Kerrville New Folk competition and a North Carolina Arts Council Songwriting Fellowship, Collins brings depth, warmth, and humility to the stage. His music dances between folk, Americana, and soft rock, often compared to Bruce Cockburn and David Wilcox. With a quiet presence and clever, poetic phrasing, he creates songs that feel like long-overdue conversationsÑpersonal, profound, and resonant.

Joel Timmons
2025-09-06 20:00 - 22:00
Joel Timmons, co-founder of the genre-bending band Sol Driven Train, brings a soulful, rootsy presence to his solo performances. Blending coastal Americana, folk-rock, and island rhythms, Joel crafts songs that radiate warmth, wanderlust, and heartfelt introspection. His solo work showcases rich storytelling and intricate guitar work, shaped by years of touring and a deep love of musical exploration. Whether heÕs strumming a sun-soaked groove or delivering a quiet lyrical revelation, Joel Timmons invites you into a world where melodies wander and stories stick with you.

Coddle Creek
2025-09-13 20:00 - 22:00
Rooted in North Carolina tradition, Coddle Creek delivers a fresh take on bluegrass with a mix of high-energy picking, heartfelt harmonies, and a spirit that keeps audiences coming back for more. Known for their engaging stage presence and seamless blend of classic and contemporary influences, the band brings the joy of mountain music to every performance. Whether it’s a fiery fiddle tune or a soulful ballad, Coddle Creek captures the sound of Carolina’s musical heritage while carving their own path forward.

Highway 52
2025-09-18 19:30 - 21:30
Highway 52 is an acoustic Blues and Americana group that includes four seasoned, local musicians. Playing Blues and Americana favorites, as well as some more eclectic covers and originals, the band knows how to get a room thumping and singing along. Band members are Bill Loftus on guitar/harmonica/vocals; Mike ‘Country’ Carver, guitar/vocals; Paul McIntire, electric violin; and Lauren Bandy, standup and electric bass.

Lonesome Road Band
2025-09-20 20:00 - 22:00
The Lonesome Road Band regularly travels as a three piece group, featuring banjo, guitar, and bass. In a nutshell, the band plays country and folk, but that wonderfully rustic country that walks you down a dirt road, with a pleasant breeze tickling your face, while the grasshoppers chirp. Founded back in 1995, the band has gone through a few changes in members, but has never lost its heart and soul – thanks in abundance to its founder Larry Keith. The charming yet stark fervency of The Lonesome Road Band’s music instantly takes audiences back to a time where songs told the world of man’s great love and great sorrows. Huddled around a vintage mic, the group would be right at home next to the Soggy Bottom Boys in “O Brother Where Art Thou.”

Local Boys
2025-09-25 19:30 - 21:30
Rooted in nearly two decades of camaraderie, The Local Boys bring bluegrass and Americana to life with warmth and energy. Emerging from Maryland and now based in Charlotte, North Carolina, this seasoned ensemble—anchored by John Aaron’s guitar and vocals, Steven Davidson’s mandolin and harmony, Jake Joines’s dobro, and Jesse Chattin’s upright bass—draws on over 80 years of combined stage experience. Their debut album, Stories, unfolds narratives rich with character, humor, and heart, carried on tight musicianship and soulful storytelling. With performances at MerleFest and other festivals, they blend tradition and innovation in a way that welcomes every listener.

Redbud
2025-09-27 20:00 - 22:00
Redbud honors traditional bluegrass while blending original tunes with stunning harmonies, hauntingly catchy melodies, and rhythms that will have you tapping your feet. This group of young musicians brings a fresh energy to the genre, with Lucas Ward’s steady guitar, Griffin Decker’s melodic mandolin, Addy Quinn’s vibrant fiddle, Dayne Watson’s banjo picking, and Chase Arden’s driving bass. Together, they create a sound that is both timeless and new, captivating audiences with everything from lively fiddle tunes to heartfelt ballads.

Shlomo Franklin
2025-10-02 19:30 - 21:30
Shlomo Franklin blends folk, country, and rock into music that is raw, soulful, and deeply moving. Raised on a farm in New York, his journey from quiet beginnings to the stage infuses every song with honesty, grit, and heart. His tender yet powerful voice carries lyrics that cut straight to the core, weaving stories of resilience, longing, and hope. Franklin’s songwriting reflects both his rural roots and a fearless spirit, creating music that feels personal yet universal. Whether delivering an intimate ballad that lingers like a whispered confession or a driving anthem that fills the room with energy, his performances draw listeners in with authenticity and leave them captivated long after the final note.

Will Willis
2025-10-04 20:00 - 22:00
Will Willis brings a genre-blurring fusion of folk-rock, blues, and funk to the Appalachian music scene. A nomadic upbringing traversed landscapes from California to Montana and the Carolina coast before he rooted himself in Boone, North Carolina. Guided by the craftsmanship he inherited from his father, Willis channels storytelling, heart, and grit into songs that explore addiction, relationships, and the quest for meaning—always with a resilient spark of hope. His latest EP, Digital Movement, streaming since May 2024, offers a fresh musical chapter rich in emotional depth and creative momentum. Whether through collaborative arrangements or solo storytelling, Willis’s music welcomes listeners into a soulful, evolving journey.

Brody Schenk
2025-10-09 19:30 - 21:30
Born in Rochester, NY, and now rooted in East Nashville, Brody Schenk channels the soul of old blues and classic rock through the voice of a wise-beyond-his-years troubadour. A gifted guitarist and storyteller, he blends heartfelt lyrics with dynamic guitar work, honoring traditions of artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Neil Young, and the Grateful Dead. His songs feel both timeless and deeply personal—raw, honest, and brimming with youthful intensity. Whether he’s fingers working the frets or delivering a stirring lyric, Brody’s music draws listeners into a world that’s authentic, richly textured, and impossible to ignore.

Redd and The Paper Flowers
2025-10-11 20:00 - 22:00
Redd and The Paper Flowers craft a sound that is both haunting and uplifting, weaving together threads of Americana, folk, and rock with striking emotional depth. At the heart of the band is Redd, whose soulful vocals and poignant lyrics unfold like pages from a diary, balancing vulnerability with strength. The Paper Flowers bring those stories to life with lush instrumental textures, harmonies that shimmer, and rhythms that drive each song forward. Their music is at once intimate and expansive—songs that linger in the heart while stirring the spirit. Whether it’s a gentle ballad or a powerful anthem, their performances invite listeners into a world of raw honesty and unforgettable beauty.

Amanda Anne Platt
2025-10-16 19:30 - 21:30
There is an empathetic and charming wit ingrained in Platt’s songwriting. She has a knack for accessing a deep well of emotion and applying it to her story-telling, whether she is writing from her own experiences or immersing herself into the melody of emotions in another person’s life. Lyrically driven, Platt’s country roots music often inspires introspection, whether it be about life on the road, heartache or hope.

Lillie Syracuse
2025-10-23 19:30 - 21:30
In a velvet stream of joy, grief, and love, Lillie Syracuse’s voice and music pours deep from the heart of the in-between. Just as her heart was woven from tree, waterfall, birdsong, and red mountain clay, so was her song writing. Lillie’s hope, in song-craft, is to foster shifts towards a deeper connection with nature, community, authenticity, creativity, and magic in the lives of those who hear her music. Described as a sound worker and poet, alongside her talents as a singer and songwriter, Syracuse is a talent truly sculpted by the roots of these mountains.

Fayssoux McLean and Brandon Turner
2025-10-30 19:30 - 21:30
Fayssoux McLean and Brandon Turner create a sound that is both timeless and deeply rooted in Southern tradition. Fayssoux, once hailed by Emmylou Harris as one of country music’s “best singers,” brings a pure, soulful voice that has graced classic recordings and continues to captivate with its warmth and grace. Guitarist Brandon Turner complements her perfectly, adding dazzling musicianship and sensitive accompaniment that elevates every performance. Together they blend folk, country, and bluegrass influences into music that feels as familiar as an old friend while still carrying the spark of discovery. Their songs and harmonies invite listeners into an intimate space where heart and craft meet.

Carrie Morrison, Andrew Thelson, Jeff Lott
2025-11-01 20:00 - 22:00
Carrie Morrison, Andrew Thelson, and Jeff Lott come together to create an unforgettable blend of piano-driven rock, soulful vocals, and dynamic instrumental interplay. Carrie Morrison, a classically trained pianist and singer-songwriter, anchors the trio with heartfelt lyrics and melodies that carry both power and vulnerability. Andrew Thelson adds electric guitar and soaring harmonies, bringing a rich texture and rock edge to their sound, while Jeff Lott provides the steady heartbeat on bass, grounding each song with depth and groove. Together they move seamlessly from high-energy anthems to intimate ballads, crafting performances that are both polished and emotionally charged, leaving audiences fully engaged.

Aaron Burdett
2025-11-02 19:30 - 21:30
Aaron Burdett is an acclaimed Americana/folk singer-songwriter and performer from Western North Carolina. No stranger to hard work, Aaron’s sense of adventure took him across the country working on various types of farms and ranches. While many mainstream country singers pay lip-service to the blue-collar working world, Aaron’s songs come from his life experiences. Aaron Burdett’s lyrics are soul-touching, intelligent, witty, and poetic all at once, while his music style is a seamless blend of Americana, country, blues, bluegrass, and folk. Aaron’s writing is as prolific and genuine as the man. Drawing heavily on both the traditions of Appalachian folk music as well as nationally known songwriters, Aaron’s music gives voice to the small rural areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains while also speaking to the working men and women throughout the country.

Eternally Grateful
2025-11-06 19:30 - 21:30
Eternally Grateful is a dynamic band mainly operating as an acoustic guitar and upright bass duo. Their live shows combine influences from different generations in American music to create a timeless, captivating and distinctive style. Working to quickly become a staple on the Charlotte, NC music scene, they have played over 200 shows since 2023. Complemented by the eclectic mastery of Ben Williams on upright bass, and completed by the prolific songwriting and virtuosic talents of Cooper Pearce on guitar/vocals, Eternally Grateful strives to make a true connection with their audiences and is a must see act for any music lover.

Rudy's Bluegrass Revue
2025-11-08 20:00 - 22:00
Rudy’s Bluegrass Revue delivers a health and happiness show, with upbeat songs and positive energy. Five-time, Four Corner States, banjo champion, Rudy is a singer/songwriter, as well as multi-instrumentalist on banjo, guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. ?Rudy’s music spans a variety of? original compositions, from bluegrass, rhythm & roots, Americana/country, classical, to world chants. The nucleus of the band includes Rudy Cortese and Elizabeth Kronlage on harmony vocals, tenor guitar, cello. The award winning duo presents a traditional and energetic bluegrass mountain experience.

Michael Flynn
2025-11-13 19:30 - 21:30
Michael Flynn is an Americana-adjacent singer/songwriter based in western NC. Though some have likened his style to that of the “Neo-pop” genre. Either way, his music is appealing in its ability to take you on a journey. One moment you will be chuckling along with a quirky turn of phrase and the next closing your eyes to the somber tones flowing from both piano and Flynn’s vocals. There is no denying Flynn’s talent, with songs featured on shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Shameless, and not to mention his numerous awards. Lyrically strong, intimately beautiful, and full of varied song craft, Flynn’s music is playful even when it hurts, bright when it’s bruising, and as catchy as it is clever. In short, his music is like life, a full experience.
