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‘American Idol’ winner Caleb Johnson, at Chameleon Club Thursday, is finally making music on his own terms

'American Idol' winner Caleb Johnson, at Chameleon Club Thursday, is finally making music on his own terms

When Caleb Johnson was in middle school, a friend gave him a copy of “Queen Greatest Hits” on CD.

It wasn’t long before the Asheville, North Carolina, native fell in love.

Since winning “American Idol” in 2014, Johnson has had the opportunity to cozy up to his own idols. Just last year, he had dinner in Las Vegas with May before Queen’s performance. Johnson made sure to tell him about that well-loved CD.

Caleb Johnson and the Ramblin’ Saints will perform at the Chameleon Club Thursday, May 23, 2019. CHANCE EDWARDS When Caleb Johnson was in middle school, a friend gave him a copy of “Queen Greatest Hits” on CD. It wasn’t long before the Asheville, North Carolina, native fell in love. […]

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When a beloved music duet is devastated by a tragic accident fans come together, take a heartfelt stand and make music history.


Eddy Merle Watson, half of the award winning duo Doc and Merle Watson, died in a tragic farm tractor accident in 1985.

In 1988 MerleFest started in memory of Doc Watson’s beloved son and is held annually the last weekend of April.

The Festival is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College primarily as a fundraiser.

 

The featured music ranges from bluegrass to popular. Past performers including

 

Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Elvis

Costello, Allison Kraus, The Avett Brothers, Randy Travis,

Steve Martin, Emmilou Harris, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Zach Brown Band.

This heartwarming event is a gathering of caring people from all over who come together to celebrate life through sharing

stories and music.

Merlefest.org

 

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North Carolines deliver roots music with Southern influences

North Carolines deliver roots music with Southern influences

TRAVERSE CITY — Growing up in North Carolina, Caroline Barlow looked forward to visiting her grandparents in Traverse City and even spent several summers working at the Interlochen Arts Camp.

That Traverse City-based, four-piece Americana band — appropriately dubbed The North Carolines — recently released its debut studio EP, “Songminer’s Pilgrimage,” recorded at Scott Zylstra’s Frontier Studio in Copemish. The band delivers what it calls “American roots styles with Southern influence blown by the north winds.”

The North Carolines — Caroline Barlow and Kurt Westie — play Lake Ann Brewing Co. in Lake Ann on May 18 and Bonobo Winery in Traverse City on June 28, Aug. 16 and Sept. 27. Special to the Record-Eagle/The North Carolines TRAVERSE CITY — Growing up in North Carolina, […]

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The latest on country legend’s comeback from life support to miraculous on-going recovery!

EXCLUSIVE: Randy Travis Gives His All for Forever and Ever, Amen

Randy Travis is a survivor of several adversities including a 2013 stroke that at one time had him on life support. He’s been in many car accidents and experienced a tough childhood with an alcoholic father.

The documentary Forever and Ever, Amen shows that Travis is a walking miracle who looks at his adversities as setups toward his higher purpose. He loves his faith, family, friends and fans more than anything, and he is genuinely grateful for every moment he’s given. The first 10 pages of his memoir start with the epitome of a nightmare, but it was his reality at age 54. First, Travis is semi-conscious on life support listening to the beep of his heart monitor while loved ones discuss pulling the plug on him. He can hear all this but is unable to speak for himself.

Then it transitions into Travis’ colorful upbringing in North Carolina and the stories of the first people who believed in him. His father Harold put a guitar in his hands. The Traywick children were raised in the family tradition of riding horses, and he instilled in Travis a devotion to country music. His father’s death fell within a week of his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016. That night, Travis surprised the crowd when he stood up and sang the chorus of “Amazing Grace.”

At this stage in Randy Travis ’ career, he doesn’t have to do interviews. The North Carolina native is a legendary household name who is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, and he’s a seven-time Grammy winner. He’s sold 25 million songs […]

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SECU Foundation Helps NC Symphony Carry Music Education Across the State!

SECU Foundation Helps NC Symphony Carry Music Education Across the State!

The NC Symphony works in conjunction with the NC Department of Public Instruction to develop programs within its music education curriculum, including a focus on the impact music education has in areas such as math, reading, and intellectual and social development. The orchestra hosts an average of 50 school concerts/programs annually and receives more requests than they can meet. The new van will provide the organization with the capacity to provide more offerings of its Ensemble in the Schools, Music Discovery, and Instrument Zoos programs, expanding the reach for an additional 1,000 individuals to experience orchestral pieces played by world-class talent.

L to R: Sandi Macdonald, NC Symphony President/CEO; Don Davis, NC Symphony Board Chair; Grant Llewellyn, NC Symphony Music Director; Mike Lord, President/CEO of SECU and the SECU Foundation; McKinley Wooten, Jr., SECU and SECU Foundation Board member; and Jama Campbell, SECU Foundation Executive Director. The NC Symphony works […]