Hello,
I'm excited to share news from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.
The Blue Ridge Music Trails of NC and the Jazz Foundation of America
present the Feed & Seed Fall Sessions.
Read on for more information. Documents, images, and the flyer can be found
here.
<https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1c-ueJ-YtTLkJF2EZzfNJ3eZDt_7_aS4o?usp=sharing&gt;

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feed & Seed Fall Sessions bring traditional bluegrass to historic Fletcher
music venue

FLETCHER, N.C. – Three bands representing the continuing evolution of
bluegrass in and around Western North Carolina will take the stage this
fall at Feed & Seed, a historic Fletcher music hall for live music,
dancing, and community gathering.

The Feed & Seed Fall Sessions will feature progressive bluegrass group
Finkelstein Three on Sept. 19; five-piece bluegrass band Backline on Oct.
17; and Western North Carolina-based Upstream Rebellion on Nov. 14.
Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

This series is presented by the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area's Blue
Ridge Music Trails and the Jazz Foundation of America. The Fall Sessions
continue a partnership the organizations developed during Hurricane Helene
recovery, creating paid performance opportunities for musicians while
bringing audiences to a memorable regional music venue.

"Our goal is to help ensure our musicians have paying gigs and that music
venues have engaged audiences who value the music traditions in Western
North Carolina," said Angie Chandler, executive director of the Blue Ridge
National Heritage Area. "Western North Carolina has played a key role in
the history and development of American music."
A place where musicians want to play

Pastor Phillip Trees moved his congregation into the historic Fletcher
building in 2007, and a year later he began presenting live music there.
Musicians seek out the opportunity to play the intimate room, and more than
100 people regularly turn out for shows, often with cloggers and
two-steppers dancing directly in front of the stage.

Derek McCoy of Finkelstein Three, which has played Feed & Seed before,
counts it among his favorite places to perform.

"Everyone is so into the music. It's an actual music venue, and it's a
church," McCoy said. "In my experience, it's the best music venue in this
area."

For visitors hoping to hear the sounds associated with Western North
Carolina, Trees said the experience can be memorable. For local audiences
and musicians, it is part of a tradition that continues because people
still gather to participate.
Scheduled Bands

–

Finkelstein Three, Sept. 19: Finkelstein Three is a progressive
bluegrass trio featuring Derek McCoy on guitar and vocals, Tommy Brooks on
mandolin and vocals, and Phil Simmons on upright bass. They are joined
by special guest Dean Jenks on the banjo.
–

Backline, Oct. 17: Backline is a five-piece bluegrass band featuring
Chris Williamson, David Heavner, Alex Hampton, Katelyn Ingardia, and Jacob
Carroll. Bringing a modern approach to traditional bluegrass, the band has
built a growing regional following.
–

Upstream Rebellion, Nov. 14: Upstream Rebellion is a six-piece bluegrass
and Americana band featuring Walker Ballance on mandolin, Max Rogers on
banjo, Andrew Bivens on guitar, Cooper Franklin on Dobro, Jared Wills on
upright bass, and Adam Winebarger on guitar. The newer group has a sound
grounded in bluegrass, with Americana influences.

###
About the Blue Ridge National Heritage AreaThe Blue Ridge National Heritage
Area is a nonprofit organization that preserves, cultivates, and promotes
the natural and cultural heritage of 25 Western North Carolina counties and
the Qualla Boundary to benefit current and future generations. More
information is available at <http://www.blueridgeheritage.com/&gt;
BlueRidgeHeritage.com <http://blueridgeheritage.com&gt;.About the Blue Ridge
Music Trails

The Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina is an initiative of the Blue
Ridge National Heritage Area. It connects residents and visitors with
traditional music throughout the North Carolina mountains and foothills,
including concerts, festivals, jam sessions, dances, and community music
venues. More information is available at <http://www.blueridgemusicnc.com/&gt;
BlueRidgeMusicNC.com <http://blueridgemusicnc.com&gt;.
About Feed & Seed

Feed & Seed is a longtime Fletcher destination for bluegrass, classic
country, and Appalachian music, with performances by regional musicians and
nationally known artists. Located in a historic former feed and seed store,
the music hall seats up to 160 people on cushioned pews, chairs, and
theater seats. The building is also home to a church, with services held
Sundays at 11 a.m. More information is available at
BlueRidgeMusicNC.com/event/feed-seed/
<http://blueridgemusicnc.com/event/feed-seed/&gt;.

Media Contact:
Bridget Herbig, Communications Manager
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
828-818-5334
bridget@blueridgeheritage.com

*Bridget Herbig*
Communications Manager
*Blue Ridge National Heritage Area*
31 College Place, Suite 20
Asheville, NC 28801
bridget@blueridgeheritage.com
828-818-5334

http://blueridgeheritage.com
https://blueridgemusicnc.com
https://blueridgecrafttrails.com
<https://blueridgehttps://blueridgecrafttrails.commusicnc.com/&gt;