Mountain Mix: Country roots, new songs, Western swing
The Honeycutters
Asheville based country roots band The Honeycutters have grown from a local group to nationally recognized players in the songwriting field. Lead singer and principal songwriter Amanda Anne Platt doesn’t sound like everyone else. Her voice has its own sweet yet strong, recognizable ring, and the songs she writes sound like old friends, yet are new and relevant. The Honeycutters are Platt, Rick Cooper on electric and upright bass, Josh Milligan on drums and vocal harmonies and Matt Smith on pedal steel and electric guitar, with Tal Taylor on mandolin. Their new CD, “On The Ropes,” was produced by Amanda Anne Platt and Tim Surrett at Crossroads Studios in Arden. The two-night run is sure to be a high-energy party full of fine harmonies and powerful lyrics celebrating this fourth studio recording.
9 p.m. May 20, seated concert, $15 advance, $18 door, 9 p.m. May 21, standing concert, $12 advance, $15 door, tables available with dinner reservations, Isis Restaurant and Music Hall, 743 Haywood Road, Asheville, 575-2737, www.isisasheville.com.
Mountain Songwriting Celebration
This concert of original music is a gathering of friends, a community event with everything from a cakewalk and local youth group to well known regional groups. Proceeds benefit The Marshall Depot and WarriorHike.org.
7 p.m. May 21: Tom Godleski and Buncombe Turnpike, Annie Lalley and Joe Ebel, Brew Davis, Marty and Don Lewis, Brooke and George Buckner, Richard Hurley, Susi Gott, cake walk with Betty Pressley, North Buncombe Middle School Heritage Music Club, Emma Hammond, Loretta Freeman, the Depot, 282 South Main St., Marshall, $10, 649-2332, Find The Depot in Marshall on Facebook.
Hot Club Of Cowtown
It’s not just the 1946 Gibson arch top guitar, played through a '37 Gibson amp that makes their Western Swing smokin’ hot; the combination of guitarist Whit Smith, fiddler Elana James and bassist Jake Erwin creates a sizzling energy that powers their music. Based in Austin, they were inducted into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame and their new CD, "Midnight on the Trail," is an eclectic collection of cowboy ballads and Western swing standards.”
8 p.m. May 24, The Grey Eagle Tavern and Music Hall, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville, $15 advance, $18 door, seated show, 232-5800, www.thegreyeagle.com.
Carol Rifkin writes about bluegrass and traditional music for the Asheville Scene. Email CMRifkin@gmail.com .
OTHER SHOW NOT TO MISS
• 8 pm May 22, Gibson Brothers, The Grey Eagle $15 advance, $18 door, seated show, 828-232-5800, www.thegreyeagle.com.
• 7:30 p.m. May 24, Slocan Ramblers host the Bluegrass Session, ISIS Restaurant and Music Hall, 743 Haywood Road, Asheville, seated show, limited tables available with dinner reservations, 828-575-2737, www.isisasheville.com.
• Leftover Salmon’s Blue Ridge Jam: 8 p.m. May 20: Leftover Salmon & Junto, New Mountain Theatre, 38 North French Broad Ave., Asheville. 3:30 May 21: Leftover Salmon with Jason Carter, Acoustic Syndicate, The Larry Keel Experience, Sanctum Sully, Grandpa’s Cough Medicine, New Mountain Amphitheatre. 11 p.m. May 21: The Grass is Dead, Asheville Music Hall, 31 Patton Ave., Asheville. 11 p.m. May 21: Grandpa’s Cough Medicine, New Mountain Sol Bar. 1 p.m. May 22: Acoustic Salmon Brunch Jam with Jay Starling, Asheville Music Hall. $10-$100, www.leftoversalmon.com.
• 8 p.m. May 26, Stephane Wrembel with the John Henry’s, Altamont Theater, 18 Church St., Asheville, $18 advance, $22 day of show, $30 VIP, 828-782-3334, www.thealtamont.com.