The Purple Onion

Rudy's Rhythm and Revue
2024-07-25 19:30 - 21:30 UTC | The Purple Onion, 16 E Main St, Saluda, NC, 28773, United States
Rudy’s Rhythm & 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.

Alex Krug
2024-07-20 20:00 - 22:00
Life is, at its very core, about exploring. We can remain stagnant and rooted in place, or we can take a page out of the Alex Krug Combo’s playbook and dive in headfirst. The thrill of adventure looms ahead of this heart-driven blues-rock band. The Asheville-based players strike a stunningly evocative chord about life, being an outsider, and the kind of heartache that transforms your soul. The band includes Bill Berg -drums, Jackson Dulaney -lap steel, Rachel Gramig -harmony, Zack Page -upright bass, Kyle Samples -electric guitar. Though, truly, it is Alex Krug and her mountain-crushing vocals and expressive storytelling driving this industrial-sized apparatus.

Chris Wilhelm
2024-07-18 19:30 - 21:30
Chris Wilhelm is known for bringing positive vibes and an uplifting message to his audience. He plays Americana, folk rock originals that are infectious and insightful, and sprinkles in covers too. Worldwide airplay brought his latest album, “This Too Shall Pass,” to one of the Top 100 Alt-Country Albums of 2020, as well as several months on the national folk charts. Based out of Asheville, N.C., Chris Wilhelm is a songcatcher and thrives on live performances.

West End String Band
2024-07-13 20:00 - 22:00
Dedicated to playing and performing traditional bluegrass music and old country songs with modern appeal, the West End String Band has been walking the perfect balance between nostalgia and a thumping good time. Don’t let the name fool you. The West End String Band is refreshing and invigorating, while holding true to the roots that formed this unique tradition of music. Formed back in 2008, the West End String Band blends the gritty and energetic vocals of lead Charlie McDaniel with harmonies from Kathy McDaniel and the driving banjo of Jim Rollins. Rounded out with the rich baritone and unique mandolin of Matt Purinton, this group is weaving together americana, bluegrass, and country in the best of ways.

Nicholas Edward Williams
2024-07-11 19:30 - 21:30
Host of the popular roots music history podcast American Songcatcher, Nicholas Edward Williams is a multi-instrumentalist and storyteller who is dedicated to “playing it forward” by preserving the songs and styles that have shaped our country: ragtime, Piedmont blues, traditional folk, old time and early country. Pulling from these great building blocks, Williams creates a sound that feels familiar, yet new.

Micheal Flynn
2024-07-04 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.

Dirty French Broads
2024-06-29 20:00 - 22:00
The Dirty French Broads are an Americana Grass band from the mountains of the WNC, bringing smoky originals and boot-stomping southern favorites, with the energy of a thousand golden retriever puppies seeing their first snowfall. With heart-stirring ballads and lively cut-a-rugs, Kate Thomas draws the audience with her rich, smoky timbre and leaves them laughing beer up their noses, wishing they’d worn their dancing shoes. This lively crew plays just about everything with strings and – when the weather’s right – the occasional kazoo. Authentic and endearing with a little spice, they’re a few shades apart from the established Americana and Bluegrass scenes, and you’ll definitely want to join their book club.

Randy Steele
2024-06-27 19:30 - 21:30
Banjo Pickin’ & Guitar Slingin’ Singer and Songwriter from Chattanooga, TN. Throughout his multifaceted musical endeavors over the years, encompassing his solo pursuits, collaborations with High Cold Wind, and his involvement with Slim Pickins Bluegrass, Randy Steele has shared stages and garnered accolades alongside an illustrious array of performers.

Fancy and the Gentlemen
2024-06-22 20:00 - 22:00
An alt-country and honky tonk band based out of Asheville, NC, Fancy and the Gentlemen plays down home roots style originals while paying homage to the greats of country music from the 40s to the 80s. Featuring rich harmonies and family style tele, Fancy Marie leads the band with crisp clear vocals twinged with the stylings of your favorite 60s country starlet. Accompanied by an upright bass, fiddle, keys, pedal steel, and drums, Fancy and The Gentlemen will move your feet just as much as your heartstrings.
