Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $10 + fees.

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Eclectic, familial folk-rock group, Striking Copper, effortlessly combines rhythm-driven rock, haunting vocal arrangements, and harmony-rich Americana. In doing so they deliver an unforgettable melodic sound their audience can’t stop dancing to.  Led by powerhouse copper-haired twins, iconic front-women Allie and Jacquie Lee are inspiring trendsetters and natural performers who own every moment of the limelight. Hailing from the hills of New York, the band formed in 2013 as a four-piece, blending the talents of these siblings with their creative counterparts Matthew Donnelly (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Frank Cacciutto (drums).  Finding their way to a new home on the Southern shoreline, they found themselves in the cultural hub of Wilmington, NC.  Seamlessly settling into a new dynamic, they have built an incredible fan base over the years with tours spanning the eastern shore board. An intriguing contrast of light and dark, feminine and masculine, their lyrics bleed passion, drawing from humanity with an undeniable vulnerability.  

Known for their passionate dedication to their music, the respected outfit has released and sold multiple full-length albums with a collection of cinematic music videos and a captivating narrative arc that beautifully accompanies their latest album, titled ‘A Trip Around the Sun’.  With boasting nominations, sold out performances and festival invitations, Striking Copper’s promising sound radiates sensitivity and strength, and authors homage to home.

Website: https://www.strikingcopper.com/

Video: https://youtu.be/UZQWd19ZUTQ?si=uUmkrnZidyVbchFa

Doors open at 3:00. This event is SOLD OUT.

Join us at Live at Ted’s for our first annual celebration of the Cape Fear Five Star Project. We are a private non-profit organization devoted to education about, and advocacy on, improvement in quality of healthcare at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. The Five Star Project has a single compelling mission: to ensure that every member of our community has access to the highest quality hospital care. We refuse to settle for mediocrity. The current two-star rating from Medicare isn't just a number; it's a wake-up call to action. The lives and wellbeing of our family, friends and neighbors are at stake. We envision a health care system committed to high reliability and zero harm - a future where every hospital encounter is marked by compassion and competence. That's why we're not just advocating for change; we're educating our community and holding our politicians accountable.

Activities will include a concert by the Turkey Buzzards as well as opportunities to meet and network with other supporters, a review of the first year of the project with a view to the future, and the kick-off of our annual fund-raising campaign.

Website: https://fivestarproject.org/

About our musicians

The Turkey Buzzards are a local duo but have a repertoire that range near and far. From the sticky humidity of North Carolina to the dusty cellars of the West, The Turkey Buzzards tell simplistic stories that unravel through gritty vocals and thoughtful harmonies. The carefully crafted guitar riffs set against a solid bone bass stretch out across an American landscape with enough depth to sink well beneath the skin.

Website: https://www.theturkeybuzzards.com/

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $15 + fees.

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At age 44, Wes Collins and his wife Anita made a pact to become writers: she started writing fiction and Wes penned his first song. A few years later, they were both multi-award-winners in their fields. Collins more than makes up for lost time with songs that dig deep and go to uncertain, sometimes scary places. Come for a haunting melody and some intricate fingerpicking and stay for the wit and deep literary intelligence. There is always more to find in a Wes Collins song.

Wes has played shows from coast to coast including: The Blue Bird Cafe in Nashville, TN; The Kerrville Folk Festival in Kerrville, TX; the Cary Theater in Cary, NC (opening for Dave Olney); and many more. He is a winner of the prestigious Grassy Hills New Folk Competition and a North Carolina Arts Council Songwriting Fellowship, and has been featured as a finalist in The Telluride Troubadour Contest in Telluride, CO; The Songwriter's Serenade Competition in Moravia, TX; and The Wildflower Performing Songwriter Contest in Dallas, TX.

Wes's recorded his third album Jabberwockies at Chris Rosser's Hollow Reed Arts Studio in Asheville, North Carolina, with special contributions by Ordinary Elephant and Jaimee Harris. Advance reviews for Jabberwockies are very positive and the album looks poised to surpass the success of his popular second album Welcome to the Ether.

Website: https://wescollins.com/home

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA5cONkBiu0

Andrew Delaney of Arlington, TX is an unorthodox singer/songwriter and storyteller who steadfastly refuses to pretend he is not writing this bio himself in the third person. Born to a Chinese American family, Andrew grew up as a suburban goth kid and his songs are informed as much by the lyrics-as-literature styles of Tom Waits and James McMurtry as they are by the camp and audacity of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Legendary folk DJ Rich Warren of WFMT Radio Chicago once called him “The Alfred Hitchcock of singer/songwriters”.

Website: https://www.andrewdelaneymusic.com/

Video: https://youtu.be/iU3Ic7wcw4c?si=JPuGGsRjZ7jbbyN2

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $15 + fees.

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Mesmerizing folk duo Ordinary Elephant has spent the better part of the last decade on a never-ending tour that’s earned married couple Crystal and Pete Damore widespread critical acclaim and made fans of luminaries like Tom Paxton and Mary Gauthier. In 2017, the pair took home the International Folk Music Award for Artist of the Year on the strength of their breakout album, Before I Go, and two years later, they returned with the similarly lauded Honest, which the Associated Press hailed as “one of the best Americana albums of the year.”

The band’s new stripped-down, self-titled collection is the purest distillation of their sound yet, showcasing the arresting power of the couple’s gorgeous harmonies and intricate fretwork. The songs are timeless, rooted in rich, character-driven storytelling, and the performances are similarly transportive, fueled by delicately intertwined banjo, guitar, and octave mandolin. Though the songs were born out of a period of deep uncertainty, the record itself is a work of profound self-assurance, one delivered by a duo whose personal and professional lives embody the limitless possibility of honest, organic collaboration. Press play on Ordinary Elephant and you’ll hear more than just a husband and wife; you’ll hear the sound of sincerity and commitment, of patience and gratitude, of learning to let go of expectation and revel in the simple beauty of the moment.

Website: https://www.ordinaryelephant.net/

Video: https://youtu.be/rSeHqDa2CH0?si=gRPGatYu4gdBQgVQ

Doors open at 3pm, show 4-6pm. Tickets are $25. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 6th at 10:00am.

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Liz Longley is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter celebrated for her stop-you-in-your-tracks voice and deeply emotional music. Known for her distinctive blend of folk, pop, and Americana, Liz has earned accolades from prestigious songwriting competitions, including the BMI John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship Competition.

Her self-titled debut album was praised as “stunning” (HuffPost) and marked by “cleverness and wit” (Dallas Morning News). The follow-up, Weightless (2016), was lauded as “a thing of beauty” by Pop Dose. Liz’s sixth album, Funeral For My Past, became a notable success after her fans raised over $150,000 on Kickstarter to fund its independent release, making her the #4 most funded solo female musician in Kickstarter history. The album received widespread acclaim, with Forbes calling it “stunning” and Billboard highlighting its diverse range from Americana to shimmering pop anthems.

Becoming a mother in 2022 profoundly impacted Liz’s songwriting, infusing her music with greater depth and perspective. Her upcoming album reflects this new chapter in her life, showcasing both her personal growth and her continued evolution as an artist.

Website: https://www.lizlongley.com/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK1_U7Ot1UY

Doors open at 3pm, show 4-6pm. Tickets are $20 + fees. Tickets go on sale Friday 1/24 at 10:00am.

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Established in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Palmyra captures the collective spirit of three Virginia natives: Teddy Chipouras, Mānoa Bell, and Sasha Landon. 
Palmyra straddles at least two musical worlds. They are, on one hand, a band from the South that plays traditional instruments and indeed once lived in the old-time locus of Floyd, Virginia. Comparisons to and a kinship with The Avett Brothers and even Old Crow Medicine Show are inevitable. On the other hand, Palmyra writes about grief, gender dysphoria and identity, and coming of age in songs that flirt with soul, post-rock, and even emo; the South, too, is the place of My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses, Cat Power, and now, Palmyra. 

The band’s first full length LP, Restless, is out March 2025 on Oh Boy Records. Framed by moments of struggle, solidarity, and hard-won growth, Restless is an unqualified ringer for anyone who loves the space where the roar of indie rock collides with raw folk. 

Website:https://www.palmyratheband.com/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTs_OJX1eZc

with support from Clover Lynn

Pulled from the dense clay underneath Cahas mountain in South Western Virginia, Clover-Lynn dresses the sounds of her mountains upbringing with the veil of the Gothic. Blending 3 Finger, Clawhammer, and ballad singing she creates a unique sound that is both unsettling and familiar. 

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $12 + fees.

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The Rough & Tumble, a dynamic duo comprised of Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler, have been captivating audiences with their unique blend of dumpster-folk and thrift store-Americana for over a decade. The Pennsylvania-born Graham and Central California's Tyler have a knack for weaving together elements of joy, sorrow, comedy, and drama in their music, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats. 

“There are plenty of acoustic songscapes that will pleasure fans of the likes of Nanci Griffith... while other songs have an elegance and emotional craft to the lyrics which stand shoulder to shoulder with master songsmiths such as Gretchen Peters or Guy Clark."  

​---Americana UK, May 2023

Writing and performing together since 2007, Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler inevitably formed The Rough & Tumble in 2011 as the friends turned into bandmates. In 2015, after a bad Nashville landlord left them without heat for twelve days during an ice storm, the bandmates-turning-spouses decided to hit the road. They sold everything they could, bought a sixteen-foot camper (despite the warning of their families and the lot salesman), packed up their instruments, their dogs, and a couple of small trinkets shaped like elephants and mice that they couldn’t part with, and hit the road. They’ve been touring relentlessly ever since with their two 100 lb rescue dogs, Mud Puddle and Magpie Mae, in spite of multiple burnt up axles, busted tires, and consistent water leaks.

It takes determination and stamina to live this hardscrabble lifestyle, but not as much as it takes for them to stay still. With some luck and old-fashioned working together, you’ll be able to see The Rough & Tumble pull their camper into your town to do what they do best; speaking up until they’re heard. We suggest you do the same. 

Website: https://www.theroughandtumble.com/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mJJWSExNYA

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $25 + fees.

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Characterized by No Depression as “the future of bluegrass”, Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road twine innovation, tradition, and excellence into a unique musical experience. Though only in his 22nd year, North Carolina’s Liam Purcell has already established a name for himself in the world of American Stringband music. Growing up less than a mile away from the legendary guitarist Doc Watson, Purcell was steeped in Appalachian Old-Time and Bluegrass traditions from an early age. Taking inspiration from the local Deep Gap legacy, Liam began writing, performing, and storytelling from an early age.

Entering the professional bluegrass circuit during his teenage years, Purcell formed the stringband-supergroup Cane Mill Road. He would go on to lead the virtuosic ensemble through regional appearances, building a fanbase across the Southeast and bringing his homespun rapport to some of the most revered festivals in the scene. By the time Purcell was 17, the project had seen multiple entries on the Billboard Top 10 Bluegrass charts, performed in 25 states, and was recognized by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2019 as the recipient of their Momentum Band of the Year Award.

New paths emerged for Liam in 2020 when he was accepted to attend Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) on a full scholarship. However, plans quickly ground to a halt with the onset of a global pandemic. Using this time to write and record, Purcell began his studies remotely while multi-tracking a 10-song album released as “Roots” later that year. This independent project led to a widely anticipated tour and a recording contract with Pinecastle Records over the following years.

Departing his native Appalachia, Purcell took up residence in Boston while attending Berklee, following in the footsteps of Molly Tuttle, Infamous Stringdusters, Sierra Hull, Crooked Still, and many others who came out of the College’s famed American Roots Program. Despite the rigorous course of study, Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road performed over 80 dates per year around an academic schedule. In 2022, Purcell shook the bluegrass world by sweeping the Rockygrass Instrumental Championships in Colorado, taking home first place honors on mandolin, banjo, and guitar. He is the only person to ever achieve a simultaneous victory in multiple championships.

Recording their latest album “Yellow Line”, Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road dug deep into the writing and arranging facets of creativity. Purcell described the responsibility of carrying on a living tradition; “It was very important to me that I began this project the way I had learned from my heroes. Just us, telling stories in songs, building on the rich and diverse folk culture I had grown up in. However, I couldn’t simply leave it there. Everyone I’ve ever looked up to as an entertainer, Doc in particular, had never acknowledged boundaries between genre, style, origin, or influence. While I cared deeply about honoring the Appalachian Stringband music I loved, I also have my own songs inside, my own feelings to express, and my own innovations to contribute.”

Finishing his degree in String Performance, Purcell graduated from Berklee in May of 2024, promptly hitting the road for over two months of heavy touring. Relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, Liam maintains his Deep Gap roots, watering them on stage each night in front of new audiences, as if to transport listeners beyond the lights and curtains, to a front porch up in the mountains where the journey all began.

Video: https://youtu.be/1kiVxKrRIh8

Doors open at 6pm, show 7-9pm. Tickets are $25. This show is SOLD OUT!

Songwriting duo Pete and Maura Kennedy make a strong return to the studio and stage after three years of weekly live-streamed lockdown-era concerts. They took the opportunity to explore classic songwriting in depth, performing over a thousand songs during the pandemic. That vast overview strengthened and refined their own writing and laid the foundation for this new collection of original, socially-conscious songs.

“After such a deep dive into American roots music, we felt like we had a new set of writing tools. We were ready to create this body of work, and there’s just SO much to write about,” says Maura. “During our five-year hiatus from writing and recording, America changed in massive ways, divisive ways that have shaken our whole foundation. That has to be addressed by creative artists, those of us who have a voice to speak for others. Our love of the great things about this country, things that are under threat, is the reason we decided to make “Headwinds” the title track of the CD. Political and social headwinds are making it hard to get back “home’ to our greatness as a nation. We want to push back in a positive way against those winds.”

In addition to singing and writing, Pete and Maura are multi-instrumentalists. The thirteen songs are cast in a soundscape that draws from the classic canon of American roots, in keeping with the theme of getting back “home” as a nation. Acoustic and electric guitars, a vintage steel guitar, a gospel-inflected piano/organ mix, and even a slide ukulele all add colors to a songbag of sounds that have drawn us together during hard times. Pete and Maura believe that those sounds still have the power to pull us through again. 

The Kennedys began their writing and touring life three decades ago as members of Nanci Griffith’s Blue Moon Orchestra, developing their own sound as a frequent support act on Nanci’s tours across America, Ireland, Scotland and England. Collaborations with Nanci continued, culminating in Pete and Maura producing her final album, “Intersections.” Along the way, they hosted a nationwide radio program, “The Dharma Cafe” on Sirius/XM, wrote and released sixteen CDs of original music, and have been core artists on folk radio, expanding their audience further with the inception of the AAA and Americana formats.

Website: https://www.kennedysmusic.com/home.html

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMS-9Arv26w

Doors open at 3pm, show 4-6pm. Tickets are $20 + fees.

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Sultry. Explosive. Intimate.SolTree Reign isn’t just a band—it’s a movement. A hypnotic fusion of poetry, music, and activism, we don’t just perform; we awaken, stir, and ignite. Our sound is raw emotion, our rhythm is resistance, and our message is truth.

At the helm is the magnetic Mahlaynee—vocalist, poet, and lyricist—leading a powerhouse of musicians who turn sound into storytelling. Royce Williams commands the keys with soulful precision, TKTurbo lays down basslines that throb like heartbeats, and Mike Hanson, an original Last Poet and Master Conga Percussionist, sets the pulse on fire. Junious Fulton locks in the groove on drums, while Robert Bellamy, known as ScaleHamHawk Da Poet, weaves spoken word into the flames of rhythm.

SolTree Reign isn’t just music—it’s movement and magic. We stand at the crossroads of art and revolution, fusing melody and message to inspire, challenge, and heal. Our sound bridges the ancestors and the future, vibrating with the urgency of change and the richness of Black artistry.

We've left our imprint on some of the most revered stages: the grandeur of Thalian Hall, the soul of the NAACP Banquet, the historic resonance of the Cameron Art Museum, and the electric energy of The Wilson Center. We've captivated audiences in the intimate, spellbinding space of Live at Ted’s, crafting experiences where every note lingers and every word resonates. And across a variety of Wilmington’s most dynamic venues, we continue to set the stage on fire.

Because when we sing, we don’t just perform—we tell the truth.

“When you sing, always tell the truth.” – Billie Holiday

Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw48P1AOJ4A

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70go_fKAh0E

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $20.

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Two bluegrass legends team up for an unforgettable performance!

Darren Nicholson is a Western North Carolina native who has taken his own brand of mountain music and entertainment around the world. He’s a Grammy nominated artist who has won 13 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards.

Shawn Lane is a three-time GRAMMY Nominee and 28-time IBMA Award winner with supergroup Blue Highway. A fan-favorite vocalist, instrumentalist, and songwriter, Shawn is as explosive on fiddle as mandolin and guitar, and has often lent his talents to the GRAMMY winning Earls of Leicester.

Video: https://youtu.be/ZJrcJ4A43JQ?si=mz_xal9Z2f3kyKqR

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $15.

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"Much like the duo themselves, the songs range near and far. From the sticky humidity of North Carolina to the dusty cellars of the West, The Turkey Buzzards tell simplistic stories that unravel through gritty vocals and thoughtful harmonies. The carefully crafted guitar riffs set against a solid bone bass stretch out across an American landscape with enough depth to sink well beneath the skin."

Dylan Nicholson (Greensboro, NC) and Eric Patterson (Lodi, CA) formed the The Turkey Buzzards in Morro Bay, CA and have shared stages with John R. Miller, Robert Earl Keen, Jeffery Martin, The Deslondes, Dawes, White Buffalo, Brothers Comatose, and frequently join Willy Tea Taylor as members of The Fellership.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r43HYoOpRU0

Website: www.theturkeybuzzards.com

Doors open at 3pm, show 4-6pm. Tickets are $10 + fees.

Great music begins with great songs, and great songs are what The Brent Stimmel Band is all about. The band’s music has been described as “ fine mix of Southern Americana and everything in between”. Featuring the smooth vocals and rhythm guitar from Brent Stimmel, the searing guitar work from Leslie Britt, or the groovin' rhythm section of bassist Davis Canady Jr. and drummer Jeff Hunnicutt. Whatever it is, the sounds are quintessentially The Brent Stimmel Band. They not only know where they’re going, but have a rock solid history that put them here today. Their shows feature a compelling combination of rich layered vocals along with mixed styles of americana, blues, rock and soul. Melding hook-filled melodies within hard and heavy beats, they show a unique ability to combine a vast array of influences into a singular sound.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaIuqr75dHs

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $12 + fees.

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Rupert Wates was born in London and studied at Oxford University. He has been a full time songwriter since the late 1990s, when he signed a publishing contract with Eaton Music Limited.  In London he worked with some of the best performers in the city.  Moving in 2001 to Paris, Wates formed his own quartet and began playing live regularly. In fall 2006 he came to the US. He is now based in New York City and Colorado.  Since coming to the US, he has won more than 50 songwriting and performing awards.

His music is an eclectic mix of acoustic, melodic art/folk, with flavors of jazz, vaudeville and cabaret. He has released twelve solo CDs. They have received outstanding reviews in the international online press and tracks from them have been played on radio all over the world. In addition, Wates' songs have been covered by other artists in the UK, Canada and the US. Two full length tribute CDs to his material have been recorded: 'Crazy Puzzle' (2015) by Nashville-based performer Roxie Rogers, and 'Wide Open Heart' (July 2017) by Los Angeles vocalist Susan Kohler. Both these CDs were initiated and funded entirely by the artists themselves, and comprise exclusively songs taken from Rupert Wates' back catalog. Over 20 recordings featuring Wates's songs by other artists were made in 2016, and more are scheduled for 2017.

Rupert Wates averages 120 live shows every year, in front of audiences totaling more than 3,500, in acoustic venues in every state in America, in Canada and in Europe. He performs sometimes alone, sometimes with his trio or his quartet. He prefers smaller listening rooms where the audience is up close and the emphasis is on the music.  He was voted an Artist Of The Year in both 2013 and 2016 by the international house concert network Concerts In Your Home, and for five years running he has been the most booked performer on their database of several hundred artists.  In 2018, Wates was a Finalist in the Kerrville New Folk Song Contest, and an Emerging Artist at Falconridge Folk Festival.  
 
Despite Wates' British background, and underpinning the universality of his music's appeal, Folk And Acoustic Music Exchange has called him "a prime figure in American music'' and goes on: "This is one gifted sonofabitch... If you're not hip to this guy yet you're missing out."

Audiences everywhere respond to Wates' brand of melodic art/folk—haunting songs that ring true.

Video: https://youtu.be/a4fpE2trFYA

Doors open at 6pm, show 7-9pm. Tickets are $10 + fees.

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Wilmington Guitar Guru, Laura McLean, curates a night of local songwriters on the Ted's stage!
Artists performing:
Gaby Merediz
Evan Jabaley
Nell Dare
Camelcase
Laura McLean
This showcase is a longtime Ted's favorite and always such a fun evening. Come out and see for yourself!

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $15 + fees. This show is SOLD OUT.

Jesse Fox – a name that echoes within the realm of soulful artistry and immersive storytelling. Each performance is a gateway to an emotional landscape where heartfelt melodies and eloquent narratives seamlessly entwine, resonating deep within the core of one's being. Rooted in the musically diverse landscape of North Carolina, Fox emerges as a master craftsman of lyrics, weaving songs that stir even the most stoic of spirits.

​From his early musical explorations with the acclaimed folk band Love & Valor, Jesse embarked on a journey to define his voice as a singular singer-songwriter. Guided by the echoes of the past, he channels the timeless resonance of songsmiths like Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. Concurrently, he embraces the sonic tapestry of modern troubadours like The Avett Brothers, The Lumineers, and The Civil Wars. The result is an enchanting fusion of Americana, folk, and deeply emotive ballads.

With a gift for delving deep into the human psyche, Jesse Fox's lyrics resonate with profound honesty. They navigate the intricate pathways of love, the hollow echoes of loss, the reflective inner gaze, and the relentless quest for personal evolution. His narratives are a rich tapestry of life's shared experiences, stirring a sense of collective authenticity among listeners.

​Complemented by a skilled ensemble of musicians, Jesse's live performances radiate with a distinctive energy that electrifies, while simultaneously nurturing intimacy. Each note and harmony fill the room, wrapping audiences in a tapestry of shared emotion and musical unity. Be it on the grand stage of a festival or the close quarters of a small venue, Jesse's empathic connection with the audience pervades every corner, creating a truly shared experience.

​As he steps forth into his solo career, Jesse carries the legacy of Love & Valor within his heart. Their final symphony together, 'Old Oak,' is an extraordinary portfolio of songs, reflecting the artistic zenith of their shared journey.

​Jesse Fox, with ambitions to stir hearts across the globe, extends an open invitation to you. Join him on this entrancing musical odyssey. Plunge into his endless well of melodies, immerse yourself in the depth of his lyrics, and feel the unfiltered passion of an artist who crafts each note with undying love and dedication. Let the captivating allure of Jesse Fox – a singer-songwriter of remarkable soulfulness – leave a lasting imprint within your heart.

Jesse will be performing with his 4 piece band at Ted's.

Website: https://www.jessefoxmusic.com/

Video: https://youtu.be/qheDHA2oteY?si=MwQNRUIt_eUII2qv

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $15 + fees. This show is SOLD OUT.

Shanna in a Dress is your quirky best friend who refuses to wear pants. She says what everyone has felt but no one else will say and you'll get an uncensored journey of clever humor and heartbreak, extreme candor, and a hefty side of entertainment at her shows. This witty wordsmith is known for taking you on an emotional roller coaster, sometimes within the same song. Think John Prine mixed with Ingrid Michaelson with a twist of Phoebe Buffay from Friends all wrapped up in a sweet voice accented by guitar, piano, and ukulele. She's as real as it gets, as anyone who follows her on FB or Instagram knows.

Shanna started her career at the University of Virginia, fell in love with Boulder, Colorado, and now keeps her fun music flowing out of Nashville unless she's touring the US or Europe. You can't get the same Shanna in a Dress show twice with her spontaneous banter and playful stage presence. She manages to teeter the line masterfully of taking on complex subject matters with smart, bold, and yet accessible lyrics. Her charisma and boldly honest songs are full of interesting language and wordplay and delight audiences of all ages.

Most recently, Shanna in a Dress was pronounced the winner of the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Songwriting Contest and will be performing with a full band at the 2023 Rocky Mountain Folks Fest. In 2020 alone, Shanna was a winner in the Kerrville New Folk competition, winner of the Great River Folk Fest Song Competition, a finalist at Songwriter Serenade, and a Grassy Hill Emerging Artist at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.

During the summer of 2021, Shanna bicycled from Seattle to Boston while music-touring on her epic "Tour de Dress," playing over 60 shows from coast to coast and partnering up with the global non-profit Pangaea World Foundation.

In May 2022, her debut record "Robot" was released after a wildly successful crowdfunded campaign years earlier. She was the winner She has most recently been seen gracing the stages of Kerrville Folk Festival, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Black Bear Americana Fest, Great River Folk Fest, and the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Tom Prasada-Rao calls her "Kerrville's fastest rising star" and she's certainly delightfully unique and is one to watch in the future.

Website: https://www.shannainadress.com/home

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxGZZ6kutrE

Doors open at 3pm, show 4-6pm. Tickets are $20 + fees.

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With over 17 combined Canadian Folk Music, East Coast Music, and Music Nova Scotia awards and nominations, the JUNO-Nominated powerhouse duo, Cassie and Maggie, emerge as an unstoppable force on the global folk stage. Unleashing a magnetic energy, they seamlessly weave their deep Celtic heritage with contemporary influences. Committed to not just preserving but also propelling Nova Scotia's folk traditions into new realms, Cassie and Maggie bring an exhilarating energy that is both timeless and irresistibly modern. Their eagerly anticipated 5th studio album, "Gold and Coal," poised to solidify their status as folk music trailblazers.

"Be it their foot percussion accompanying driving Nova Scotian sets, their perfect blend of sibling harmonies, added to a stunning interplay on various instruments, a musical evening spent with Cassie and Maggie is a great night, altogether" -Irish Music Magazine. Their latest album, The Willow Collection "has sold over 9000 copies worldwide andshowcases not only their musical ability, but the depth and variety of their musicianship."IMM Cassie and Maggie are an unbelievably gifted duo... the train is just gathering steam and leaving the station on these new stars. It is going to be a glorious journey, and it is already well-begun." –Live Ireland Radio- Dublin, IR

Website: https://www.cassieandmaggie.com/home

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aymPsyL3WKk

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $20 + fees.

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Bluegrass ambassadors Hank Smith and Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw join forces once again with their original and energetic new soulgrass band, Hank and Pattie. Hank and Pattie take bluegrass and infuse it with their own flair, drawing from a melting pot of styles including classical and Motown, which adds up to an authentic and unique reflection of American music. While some of the music sounds old school and some sounds fresh and new, their overall musicianship, vocal harmonies, impassioned delivery and innovative arrangements captivate all generations of music lovers.

Hank and Pattie are backed by an all-star band comprised of Carolina musicians Stevie Martinez on Bass and vocals and Billie Feather on guitar.

Video: https://youtu.be/-Kw-t_JNHLw

Website: https://www.hankandpattie.com/

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $15.

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Alan Barnosky is a multi-faceted musician keeping pace with the ever-changing expectations of the modern artist. He is a flatpicking guitarist, upright bassist, and songwriter, has released two solo albums, performs as a solo artist, works as a multi-instrumentalist for touring bands - including The Barefoot Movement, Farewell Friend, and Chatham Rabbits - and is a writer and teacher. Originally from Michigan, he now makes his home in central North Carolina.

A lifelong musician and fan of acoustic music from an early age, Barnosky began playing with bluegrass bands in his late teens, first in his home state of Michigan and then after he relocated to North Carolina in 2012. He made his independent debut in 2018 with the release of his first solo album Old Freight, becoming a favorite among independent radio stations (two top 5 songs in the March 2018 Folk DJ cart) and noted as being “a fantastic album, full of clever guitar work, excellent vocal performances, and punchy arrangements.” He gained recognition as a skilled songwriter and was invited to the 2018 IBMA Songwriter Showcase, received an honorable mention at the Telluride Troubadour Contest, and was an official showcase artist at the 2018 Southeast Regional Folk Alliance conference. His 2020 EP Lonesome Road similarly received praise from The Bluegrass Situation, Bluegrass Today, Americana UK, and IndyWeek.

Website: https://alanbarnosky.com/home

Video: https://youtu.be/Ype0N_jrMcw

Abigail Dowd didn’t just wander into music—she practically tumbled in, barefoot, with a guitar slung over her shoulder and a mystic line tracing back to where she came from before she got here. Raised in the heart of North Carolina, she grew up chasing fireflies, harmonizing with the wind, and figuring out how to turn all that wildness into melody. Her songs are like handwritten letters from an old friend—equal parts Southern grit and soulful tenderness, with a voice that feels like the love child of an Appalachian holler and a smoky jazz bar.

Abigail’s guitar doesn’t just accompany her; it’s her co-conspirator, weaving intricate melodies that dance around her lyrics like they’ve been practicing for years. She writes songs that make you laugh, cry, or suddenly remember the name of your third-grade teacher—and she swears she didn’t plan it that way. She’s on the same ride, trusting the music and energy of the room will weave the magic carpet. On stage, she’s a storyteller, a truth-teller, and sometimes a joke-teller, especially when she doesn’t mean to.

She’s toured the east coast and Rockies, played in living rooms, theaters, and maybe a barn or two, leaving a trail of listeners feeling like they just made a new best friend. Abigail doesn’t just perform; she creates moments—raw, real, and unforgettable. And if you don’t believe it, go to a show. You’ll leave humming her songs and wondering how you ever lived without them.

Website: https://www.abigaildowd.com/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYsVgFDi9hA

Doors open at 3pm, show 4-6pm. Tickets are $15.

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Jay Killman has been a professional musician for eleven years.  He performs with a wide array of acts including jazz ensembles, singer songwriter acts, hip hop groups, and fusion bands.

Over the years Jay has studied and played with numerous greats including Keith Ganz, Joey Calderrazo, Ralph Bowen, Branford Marsalis, Isaiah Sharkey, Peter DiCarlo, Jerald Shynett and more. He has acheived a BA in Music from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a MM in Jazz Composition from North Carolina Central University. 

Jay has released 2 albums of original music - Rene & Jay Nice Sounds Collection no. 1 and Jay Killman Cycles.  https://open.spotify.com/album/0yDP6i7ajTd2RtadJejFyF

In addition to performing, Jay is an avid composer, arranger and teacher. 

Website: https://jaykillmanmusic.com/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaoq4V8jFoI

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $12.

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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.

Website: https://eternallygratefulmusic.com/home

Video: https://youtu.be/9xNRCbzDeuY

Doors open at 3pm, show 4-6pm. This show is SOLD OUT.

A tasty No Dollar $hoes, Jewell Brothers, & Salt Mullet stew...

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $15. This show is SOLD OUT.

Whether he's solo or with his band, Carlos Rising creates an unforgettable experience for all listeners with his soothing tone and diverse repertoire of original music. For the past 10 years Carlos has been playing shows and releasing songs that reach a plethora of audiences, including fans of Soul, RnB and Pop. In 2023, Rising was a featured contestant on Season 23 of NBC's the Voice, where he showcased his vocal ability, artistry and genre versatility on Team Blake. Not only does Rising have the ability to connect with large audiences on a national scale, but also can thrive in intimate small environments where he encapsulates audiences with his original songs. Now based out of Wilmington NC, Carlos continues to play shows and write music, all in an effort to make his songs make a difference the lives of his listeners.

About Soup to Nuts Live!: Well into its second decade, WHQR's Soup To Nuts LIVE! has become one of the Cape Fear region's favorite, live-listening experiences, featuring a wide array of musical genres on its stage. STNL!'s recording process reflects its commitment to high quality, ongoing success, and the hard work of its technical staff. Each performance is engineered, multitracked, and edited into a one-hour program for broadcast on an upcoming date. In addition, WHQR forwards and cross-promotes the live event (and the later broadcast) across their website, on-air, social media, and related platforms. Starting in 2023, Live At Ted’s joined in hosting and booking acts for the STNL! show, alternating hosting duties each month with WHQR. Ted’s listening room environment, recording capabilities, and commitment to showcasing original music made for a seamless partnership.

Website: https://www.carlosrising.com/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfXmr89VCSw

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. This show is sold out.

Larry Keel is an award-winning innovative flat-picking guitarist and singer/songwriter hailing from Appalachia and currently residing in historic Lexington, VA. Raised in a musical family steeped in the mountain culture of the region, Keel began from an early age to forge a distinctive sound, taking bluegrass and classic country music and infusing those styles with a rock edge and elements of improvisational jazz.

The Keel Duo, consisting of Larry Keel on acoustic guitar and Jared Pool on mandolin and acoustic guitar, are masters of their instruments and deeply soulful singers, drawing heavily from Keel’s catalog of original music and imaginative interpretations of choice covers. A fellow Virginian, Pool has been studying Keel’s style since he was a very young prodigy, going on to win contests and competitions in flatpicking guitar, receiving a college degree in music, playing in successful touring acts and landing with the ‘Larry Keel Experience’ band around 2016. Pool’s skillful adaptability in supporting Keel’s distinctive sound has enriched the music and inspired and challenged Keel’s own playing along the way. It’s no wonder these artists know each other’s styles and idiosyncrasies so thoroughly enabling them to go on exhilarating musical explorations in the moment, no matter what material they choose. One listener likened the experience of watching this act to being backstage while the artists are running tunes, relaxed yet energized, nailing songs while taking musical risks and letting it all hang out. That’s the vibe they bring to the stage, inviting listeners to have fun and be part of the creative process happening before their very eyes and ears.

Keel is on a roll for 2025, with a new single release planned every few months starting January 10, as well as an early summer EP drop. Keep up to date by checking out the Larry Keel site at: https://larrykeel.com/

Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GetkX8w1KPw&list=PLLwmj41RKJc0ihX6255qeKoMvNBjL8n47&index=1

Doors open at 3pm, show 4-6pm. Tickets are $15.

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Rod Abernethy is a unique blend of an authentic southern folk troubadour, master acoustic guitarist, and award winning songwriter and composer for film, TV and video games and the Overall Grand Prize Winner of the 2021 International Acoustic Music Awards. In 2019 he was the Grand Prize winner of American Songwriter's Bob Dylan Song Contest. His last album Normal Isn’t Normal Anymore, produced by Grammy nominated producer Neilson Hubbard (Mary Gauthier, Kim Richey, Glen Phillips), received rave reviews from No Depression, American Highways and The Wall Street Journal and was the Top 20 CD of 2021 at No. 11 on the Folk International Folk Charts.

Rod’s talents go beyond being a dynamic performer, vocalist, instrumentalist, and storyteller. He’s a prolific photographer, a sculpture artist of whimsical steampunk found-object robots and a seasoned teacher and adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC, where he teaches how to score video games. As composer, Rod has scored and produced music for countless television shows, commercials and over 80 video games including the Electronic Art's blockbuster hit "Dead Space" which won a BAFTA Award in 2009 for Best Use of Audio and Tolkien's "The Hobbit" for Vivendi Universal which won the Game Audio Network Guild’s Video Game Soundtrack Of The Year in 2003. 

Rod continues to perform live in acoustic venues and halls across the country. Past venues include The Woodstock Folk Festival (Woodstock, IL), Club Passim (Boston, MA), The Cat’s Cradle (Chapel Hill, NC) and the ISIS Music Hall (Asheville, NC). He will also be a featured artist on this year’s popular PBS series, Songs At The Center hosted by Eric Gnesda.

Website: https://www.rodabernethyguitar.com/home

Video: https://youtu.be/S95vLiyp7Rc

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $15. This show is SOLD OUT!

The Paper Stars embody an image of the opening of the eyes and the taking-in of light. Illustrated otherwise, they are a catalog of human emotion punctuated by visions of a man taking responsibility for what is his.
Altman’s songs are vast – in sonic dimension and lyrical aptitude. Without a doubt, Altman has a grasp on that mysterious place where the words and music intersect. At once earnest in that ultra-human pursuit of making things right – and making an attempt at anything honest, The Paper Stars is a collection of sounds and stories; perfunctory calls to everything elevated. Both transcendent and secular. Altman’s lyrics wind through western canyons of love lost and every dawn of solace washed in bright lights.-Denver Syntax

Video: https://vimeo.com/151256802

Website: https://www.thepaperstars.com/

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. This show is SOLD OUT.

The Midatlantic is a crew of musicians hailing from the Cape Fear coast of North Carolina.~They are an exciting and refreshing brand of folk rock creating a unique blend of progressive folk rock, americana, and celtic punk newgrass.

The Midatlantic delivers a wide range of dynamics, energy, and melodic harmonies through songs that are sincere and passionate to love, life, loss, and the human experience.

The Midatlantic takes great pride in their professional image and providing tasteful performances suitable for all age groups.

The Midatlantic began to take shape on the Cape Fear coast of NC in 2013 when, then solo singer/songwriter, Jason Andre began working with friends on collaboration projects and took up the mandolin. As a new season of songwriting began while collaborating with his surfing buddies on beaches, back porches, and around bonfires The Midatlantic took shape. With influences spanning from The Avett Brothers, Xavier Rudd, Trampled By Turtles, and Flogging Molly they went from tiny backyard concerts around Wilmington, NC to regional festivals around the southeast growing their fan base and continuing to write new material.

Fluctuating from a four to sometimes seven piece band, The Midatlantic began opening for nationally recognized bands such as The Steep Canyon Rangers, Chatham County Line, and The Big Something. They have performed at Blue Moon Brewing’s 20th Anniversary party, received runner-up at Floydfest’s On-The-Rise competition earning multiple standing ovations, hundreds of new fans, and an invitation to take the main stage the following year. Since then, their regional following has grown to see them perform at major festivals from Pennsylvania to South Carolina including Bristol Rhythm & Roots, Brewgaloo, Shakori Hills,Smoked Country Jam, Brewgrass, North Charleston Music & Arts, and the world renowned Merlefest.

After a short hiatus filled with songwriting and shifting goals, The Midatlantic has reached a new era of performing, writing, and recording and began a new voyage by digging into its past punk rock roots, as well asmelodic folk ballads. Together they have crafted a new edge and energy to their songwriting and for theiraudiences as they prepare to release a new full-length album in 2025

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb4eMPrg-hg

Doors open at 3pm, show 4-6pm. Tickets are $20. This show is SOLD OUT.

“Eclectic, immersive and mesmerizing; guitarist and songwriter Hiroya Tsukamoto embodies the notion that music has no language: Beautifully raw and cathartically emotional, Tsukamoto is a world-renowned, self-made musician.”

Hiroya Tsukamoto is a Japanese-born fingerstyle guitarist who moved to the United States in 2000 to attend the Berklee College of Music. Needless to say, he’s not only a dizzyingly agile fingerpicker, but a soulful and transcendent performer, with compositions that combine instrumental guitar work with lyrical performance and spoken stories from his life. 

Tsukamoto has been recognized for his talents on stages such as at Blue Note in New York City, Japanese National Television and United Nations, and by scoring second place at the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship both in 2018 and 2022. 

“Fingerpicking is delicate, fluid, and beautifully detailed" -Acoustic Guitar magazine

“Hiroya Tsukamoto has an orchestra at his fingertips” -Lansing City Pulse

"Hiroya Tsukamoto takes us to an impressionistic journey " -Boston Herald

"...chops, passion and warmth. Zealously recommended!"   -Jazz Review.com

Website: https://hiroyatsukamoto.com/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=85BM_xhZmv0

Doors open at 7pm, show 8-10pm. Tickets are $20. This show is SOLD OUT!

Sam Robbins is often described as an "old soul singer songwriter." A Nashville based musician whose music evokes classic 70's singer songwriters like James Taylor and Neil Young, Sam adds a modern, upbeat edge to the storyteller troubadour persona. An avid performer, he has gained recognition from extensive touring and as one of the six 2021 winners in the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk competition, one of the largest and most prestigious songwriting competitions in the country.

Sam released his debut album, Finally Feeling Young, on May 14th, 2021. The album is reminiscent of his 70's singer-songwriter heroes, with a modern perspective. On the heels of the award winning opening single, 'Remind Me", Finally Feeling Young has already garnered radio airplay and critical acclaim. Two album tracks, Remind Me and Saying Amen, won him a place as one of the six Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk winners. Americana Highways writes: “He writes of subjects that others don't explore. Saying Amen has Robbins touching that special place Leonard Cohen went. This is brilliance." Fateau Magazine in the UK writes "One of the most promising new songwriters of his generation".

A multi-instrumentalist from a young age, Sam began learning drums and piano, falling in love with guitar at age 15. He then started writing original music, recording his first CD during his sophomore year of high school, while playing open mics in his hometown of Portsmouth, NH.  

Over his career, Sam has performed countless shows across the country, in theaters, house concerts, biker bars, weddings, proposals, frat parties, and everything in between. Sam is able to tour full time, and feels at home in both intimate listening rooms and larger venues. Sam is a solo acoustic performer who melds intricate and exciting acoustic guitar arrangements with smooth, intriguing vocals. Wherever he is performing, Sam builds an intimate, easy connection with the listener, naturally creating a feeling of closeness throughout the performance.

Sam is a full time troubadour, playing over 150 shows a year across the country, including the MainStage at the Kerrville Folk Festival, Dripping Springs Songwriter’s Festival, and as one of the “‘Most Wanted to Return” artists in the 2023 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.

Since moving to Nashville in September 2019 following his graduation from Berklee College of Music, Sam has made a splash in music city - performing at the Bluebird Cafe within a month of moving, and sitting in again at the legendary venue with Liz Longley in February. Sam was also a winner at the Eddie's Attic Songwriter's shootout competition in Atlanta in early March 2020.

In 2018, Sam was able to audition and was aired on NBC's The Voice, performing for Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton and Jennifer Hudson as the first artist to perform a Jim Croce song on the show.

Sam considers himself a student of songwriting, constantly searching and learning about why songs have the impact they do. A 2019 graduate of Berklee College of Music's songwriting department, he has hosted many songwriting workshops and masterclasses, including at the Harvard Music Department, the Boys & Girls Club of Boston, and the Folk Project's Fall Acoustic Getaway. In his performances and workshops, Sam explores the magic behind the craft of songwriting, and tries to help others express themselves through the unique and powerful medium of songwriting.

Website: https://samrobbinsmusic.com/home

Video: https://youtu.be/zUZbLTs263c