The Purple Onion

Funky Junk Joy Peddlers
2026-07-25 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | The Purple Onion, 16 E Main St, Saluda, NC, 28773, United States
Funky Junk Joy Peddlers, formerly known as The Shana Blake Band, is an innovative new take on the classic soul cover band. A Purple Onion favorite, the band’s sound is filled with energetic, danceable music of the Motown era through current hits. Throwing in deeper cuts you know and love from R&B, soul, and funk favorites. The group will have you grooving in your seats and keep you smiling with their infectious, upbeat vibes.

Nikki Talley
2026-08-01 20:00 - 22:00
Talley is an award winning vocalist & songwriter. Nikki’s powerful and beautiful voice, often accompanied by Jason’s – husband- lush guitar tones, create a complete rustic sound. Nikki plays guitar as well as mountain clawhammer banjo while Jason accompanies her on guitar and sings harmony. At its core, Nikki Talley’s sound is wonderfully rural and heartfelt; Country belonging to Nashville and the likes of Johnny Cash. Yet, Talley’s style goes beyond just traditional Country. Bridging the sounds of Country and Americana Root music, she flows flawlessly between styles while bringing raw energy to her shows. Her powerful vocals and heart wrenching lyrics twist around you and bring you home at the same time.

Elliot Poston
2026-08-06 19:30 - 21:30
Meet Elliot Poston, the real deal in modern country music. Hailing from the heart of South Carolina, Elliot is quickly proving why authenticity and hard work are the next big things in the genre. Blending traditional country heart with a powerful, modern sound, his music is a genuine tribute to faith, family, and southern values—the very foundation of country music.

Kellin Watson
2026-08-08 20:00 - 22:00
Kellin Watson brings a soulful blend of folk, blues, pop, and Americana to every performance, pairing heartfelt songwriting with a warm, expressive voice that has captivated audiences across the country. A North Carolina native, she has spent decades crafting music rooted in Appalachian tradition while embracing contemporary influences. Her albums, including Paper Bird, No Static, and Halo of Blue, showcase thoughtful lyrics, memorable melodies, and collaborations with acclaimed musicians. Whether delivering an intimate acoustic set or a full-band performance, Kellin creates an evening filled with authenticity, emotion, and songs that linger long after the final note.

Jackson Grimm's Old Time Machine
2026-08-13 19:30 - 21:30
Jackson Grimm marries folk pop melodies with the lonesome sound of traditional Appalachian music. In a region with a strong music culture, it is no surprise that Grimm’s songwriting is representative of his musical birthplace: Asheville, NC. His songs run the gambit from an homage to a traditional country waltz to a drunken partygrass song à la Old Crow Medicine Show.

Peggy Ratusz Trio
2026-08-15 20:00 - 22:00
A tambourine totin’ Blues Chanteuse named Peggy Ratusz and her Trio perform an infectious, sultry, multi-layered brand of original, traditional and modern Blues, Soul, R&B, and Jazz. She and her backing bands are particularly impressive during live performances where audiences witness her very core as it shines and is inspired by the rhythm, the melodies and content of the stories she tells.

Cowboy Judy
2026-08-20 19:30 - 21:30
Cowboy Judy is Western North Carolina’s premier Country-Motown supergroup, blending rich harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and irresistible charm into every performance. Featuring regional favorites Amanda Anne Platt, Amber Sankaran, Dulci Ellenberger, and Melissa Hyman, the band creates a sound that effortlessly weaves country, folk, soul, and Americana into an unforgettable live experience. With equal parts humor, musicianship, and genuine connection, Cowboy Judy delivers a show that will have you laughing, singing along, and dancing from the first song to the last.

Fancy and The Gentlemen
2026-08-22 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.

Clay & Isla
2026-08-27 19:30 - 21:30
A rare solo evening with Clay Ross, two-time Grammy winner and founder of Ranky Tanky and American Patchwork Quartet. At The Purple Onion, Clay shares the stage with his daughter Isla, a young violinist and vocalist, for a set that moves between jazz standards, American folk tunes, and classical pieces. Casual, family-friendly, and built around the music they play together at home.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast Acoustic Duo
2026-08-29 20:00 - 22:00
Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Caitlin Krisko, this acoustic duo strips the band’s electrifying soul-rock sound down to its raw, emotional core. Known for fiery stage presence and blues-soaked vocals, Krisko blends Southern rock grit with deep soul and heartfelt storytelling. In this intimate format, every lyric lands and every note resonates—offering a stirring, up-close take on the dynamic sound that’s earned The Broadcast a devoted following across the Southeast.

Paper Crowns
2026-09-03 19:30 - 21:30
The Paper Crowns are the multi-instrument, genre crossing power duo of Spiro and Nicole Nicolopoulos. The Paper Crowns are earning their reputation as the genuine article and as a band on the cutting edge of modern roots music. Their musical chemistry is a gumbo of Appalachian folk and bluegrass, Dixieland melodies, delta blues, acid rock, murder ballads, outlaw country and Southern Gospel that they cook up into a sound all their own. As a duo they have a full band sound with drums, bass, acoustic and electric guitars and banjo as well as live looping on the spot compositions. Their mix of modern and traditional performance creates a captivating intensity yet always honors their intimacy and emotional rawness as a duo.

Phantom Clutch
2026-09-10 19:30 - 21:30
Phantom Clutch brings together some of Western North Carolina’s most accomplished musicians for a fresh take on roots rock, Americana, and country-infused originals. Fronted by Ryan Furstenberg of The Moon & You, alongside Andrew Platt, Jackson Dulaney, and an all-star lineup, the band delivers rich harmonies, standout musicianship, and songs that feel both timeless and new. Whether laying into driving rock grooves or stripped-down acoustic moments, Phantom Clutch creates a performance that’s soulful, dynamic, and built for music lovers.

Ryan Taylor Price
2026-09-12 20:00 - 22:00
Ryan Taylor Price crafts richly layered Americana with a songwriter’s precision and a roots musician’s soul. His album The Axe & The Tree blends pedal steel, mandolin, and warm folk-rock textures into songs that feel both cinematic and deeply personal. With a voice that carries grit and grace in equal measure, Price leans into thoughtful lyrics, strong melodies, and dynamic arrangements that move from intimate acoustic moments to sweeping, full-band sound. Honest, resonant, and beautifully crafted—his music lingers long after the last chord fades.

Highway 52
2026-09-19 20:00 - 22:00
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.

A Tale Of Two
2026-09-24 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 “blues arias with soul, intrigue and power.” Their dynamic chemistry on stage captivates audiences, creating a live show that feels as timeless as it is emotionally raw.

Shane Meade
2026-09-26 20:00 - 22:00
Shane Meade is a gifted singer-songwriter whose soulful blend of folk, rock, and Americana has earned him a loyal following throughout the Southeast. Whether performing solo or with his band, Shane Meade & the Sound, he delivers heartfelt originals, uplifting lyrics, and feel-good grooves that create an instant connection with every audience. His warm vocals, honest songwriting, and engaging stage presence turn every performance into an unforgettable evening of music that inspires, entertains, and brings people

I See Hawks in L.A.
2026-10-01 19:30 - 21:30
I See Hawks in L.A. have spent more than two decades redefining Americana with their signature blend of alt-country, folk, bluegrass, and psychedelic country rock. Hailing from Southern California, the acclaimed band is known for rich vocal harmonies, masterful musicianship, and thoughtful songwriting that celebrates the open road, the natural world, and the characters who inhabit it. With ten critically acclaimed albums and performances across the U.S. and Europe, I See Hawks in L.A. deliver a captivating live show that is equal parts timeless storytelling and adventurous musical exploration.

Eternally Grateful
2026-10-10 20:00 - 22:00
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.

Cowboy Judy Xmas Extravaganza
2026-12-13 19:00 - 21:00
A return performance quickly becoming a tradition at the Purple Onion, this energetic group of ladies is an event you don’t want to miss. Cowboy Judy always brings the show to, well, every show they perform. Couple their infectious stage presence, melodic songs, and penchant for grooving tunes you can’t sit still to? Exhilarating. Throw in some holiday cheer and festive motifs? Pure Magic.
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.
