Music Archives

All Ears: Banner Elk Unveils First-Ever Summer of Music Featuring 90-Plus Live Performances

May 30, 2025 While the arts have always played a key role in Banner Elk, the town takes it up a notch in 2025 with its first-ever Summer of Music. Top-level national, regional and local acts take the stage at a variety of venues all summer long. The schedule features 90-plus live performances, highlighted by Country Music Hall of Famer Jimmy Fortune, bluegrass stars Jim Lauderdale and Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer John Oates and Gary Morris, who has five No. 1 country songs.

May 29, 2025 The Town of Boone is proud to kick off the 2025 Summer Concerts at the Jones House series with an unforgettable evening of world-class roots music on Friday, June 6, beginning at 5:30 PM at the Jones House Cultural Center in downtown Boone. The concert is free and open to the public. The evening begins with a performance by internationally acclaimed Italian guitarist and composer Beppe Gambetta, followed by a set from dynamic Appalachian and Americana duo Clay Lunsford & Matthew Weaver, bringing their rich regional heritage to the Jones House front porch

May 29, 2025 The Elk River Helping Hands Concert Series proudly announces its next event to be held Friday, June 20, 2025, at Hayes Auditorium on the campus of Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Doors at 6pm and concert at 7pm. This extraordinary evening of music and community will feature Rock Hall of Famer John Oates (Hall and Oates) and the Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Jim Lauderdale, with proceeds benefiting Hurricane Helene relief efforts in the area

May 12, 2025 The first artist of the series, Grammy-nominated bluegrass musician and storyteller Josh Goforth, follows two sold-out benefit concerts by West Virginia storyteller Bil Lepp. (Lepp will return to Jonesborough for a full residency later in the season.) Goforth’s week in residence will include daily matinee concerts, Tuesday through Saturday at 2 p.m., as well as an evening performance on Thursday, May 22, at 7:30 p.m. Goforth’s Thursday night show is part of an expanded slate of nighttime events scheduled throughout the season. Nine other performers will follow in his footsteps, including fan favorites Tim Lowry, Andy Offutt Irwin, Megan Wells, and Donald Davis.

Nunsense Musical Comes to Banner Elk Presbyterian Church June 1st, 3rd and 4th

May 12, 2025 Lees-McRae Summer Theatre kicks off its 40th season with the hilarious musical Nunsense. In this zany musical revue, the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters. They are in dire need of funds for the burials, so they put on a variety show to raise money. This Broadway hit has been an international phenomenon for 40 years. Shows will be June 1 at 2 p.m., June 3 at 7 p.m. and June 4 at 7 p.m. Admission is free with “pay-what-you-will” donations going to Lees-McRae Summer Theatre.

May 7, 2025 Boone Junior Appalachian Musicians (Boone JAM) is proud to present its Spring 2025 Semester Recital on Tuesday, May 13, at the Appalachian Theatre in downtown Boone. The performance is free and open to the public, with music beginning at 5:30 PM. This semester’s recital will showcase talented youth from 18 different classes, performing traditional Appalachian music on guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and ukulele. Boone JAM has over 80 students currently enrolled with 8 teachers sharing their talents. The event offers a heartwarming celebration of the students’ dedication and the region’s deep-rooted musical traditions.

April 30, 2025 FLOYD, VA — A renowned cornerstone of Appalachian culture and music, The Floyd Country Store returns as a marquee partner for FloydFest 25~Aurora, not only as the sponsor of FloydFest’s cherished Porch Stage, but also as a lead for its programming during the latest annual offering of the Southeast’s premier summer outdoor music festival, taking place Wednesday to Sunday, July 23 to 27, 2025, at its new home, FestivalPark, located at 5826 Floyd Highway North in Check, Va. Patrons who have still not secured tickets to FloydFest 25~Aurora are encouraged to do so soon, as some non-sold-out ticket types are in short supply.

April 29, 2025 MerleFest, presented by Window World, wrapped up its 37th annual celebration with a romp-roaring tribute to the music and community that folk icon Doc Watson championed throughout his life. Over the course of four vibrant days, nearly one hundred acts ranging from rising stars to seasoned legends graced a dozen stages across the campus of Wilkes Community College, drawing thousands to the rolling hills that canvas the region. Founded in 1988, MerleFest has grown into not only a musical cornerstone of North Carolina but also a vital economic engine for the area, fueling scholarships, capital improvements, and educational programs throughout the community. The 2025 edition continued that legacy, blending genre-defying performances with a deep sense of purpose rooted in place and people.

April 16, 2025 The Town of Boone is excited to announce the 2025 Boonerang Music & Arts Festival kicks off with the all-ages, talent show Boone’s Got Talent. The event showcases some of the High Country’s best local performers at the historic Appalachian Theatre in downtown Boone. A wide array of acts with a connection to the town will take to the Doc Watson Stage on Thursday, June 19, 2025, starting at 7:30 PM. In collaboration with the Appalachian Theatre and Mountain Home Music, the official Thursday night kick-off event for the 2025 festival features the second annual Boone’s Got Talent showcase after a successful debut in 2024.

April 15, 2025 Wilkesboro, NC – The final countdown is here! In just one week, MerleFest, presented by Window World, will enter its 37th year, inviting music lovers from all backgrounds to enjoy a world-class lineup amidst the beautiful foothills in Wilkesboro, NC. The energy is undeniable as staff and volunteers put the finishing touches on this year’s event. MerleFest veterans and newcomers alike are scouring over stage schedules, downloading the official MerleFest Mobile App, and perfecting their plans for a stellar, jam-packed weekend. Next weekend, April 24-27, begins MerleFest’s 37th festival, and this year’s lineup features a bounty of all-star acts and jams. With headliners like Bonnie Raitt, The Avett Brothers, Watchhouse, and The Steeldrivers.

April 11, 2025 The Town of Boone is excited to announce the 2025 Summer Concerts at the Jones House, a beloved Friday night tradition returning to downtown Boone with a season packed full of outstanding local and regional talent. Presented by the Town of Boone and sponsored by the Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA), Omega Tees Screen Printing and Embroidery, Mast General Store, ECRS, Melanie’s Food Fantasy, and Stick Boy Bread Company, the concert series will run from June 6 through August 29, with concerts starting at 5:30 PM each Friday on the Jones House lawn.

April 7, 2025 Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton with Royal Masat announce two nights of performances at Appalachian State University’s Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts, September 11 and 12. These shows will be ticketed as a lottery, with ticket requests open now until April 21 at 2:00pm ET. Request tickets at billystrings.com/LATL. 2x Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musicianBilly Strings joins forces with renowned guitarist Bryan Sutton to release their new collaborative album, Live at the Legion. Recorded live on April 7, 2024 at Nashville’s American Legion Post 82, the album showcases the acclaimed duo performing 20 traditional bluegrass and folk songs, including new renditions of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright,” Doc Watson’s “Way Downtown” and more.

April 2, 2025 A Tenebrae Service of music will be held on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, at 6 PM at the historic Banner Elk Presbyterian Church. The community is invited to join a powerful service of readings and songs entitled “Witnesses” with reflections from people who had interactions with Jesus. Meditations and scripture will be paired with music by the adult choir, handbell choir, soloists and guest musicians. The music, led by Choral Director Nina Allbert and Organist/Pianist David Soyars, will include “Agnus Dei” from High Lonesome (Bluegrass) Mass and beautiful arrangements of “When Jesus Wept”, “More Love to Thee”, and many more. Dr. Janet Speer wrote the powerful readings.

March 27, 2025 One week before ticket prices increase for FloydFest 25~Aurora, Across-the-Way Productions, Inc. and Blue Cow Arts Foundation, Inc. announce the award-winning festival’s On-the-Rise Competition Class of 2025, a quintessential cornerstone of the FloydFest brand, which fosters emerging talent by giving the next generation of up-and-coming performers a stage, a leg-up and an audience.

March 27, 2025 Appalachian State University’s annual summer arts celebration, An Appalachian Summer presents its 41st season June 28-July 26 with a diverse lineup of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and film programming. Artists spanning a variety of genres — folk and pop rock, soul and jazz, R&B and Broadway, chamber and classical, dance, film and visual arts — will be featured in multiple venues on the campus of App State. Tickets go on sale to the public Wednesday, April 16 at 10am.Discounts are available for children/students, App State faculty/staff, and local residents for select performances. For more information, visit www.appsummer.org or call the box office at 828-262-4046.

March 12, 2025 Acclaimed bluegrass musicians Darren Nicholson and Shawn Lane will take the stage at the Jones House Cultural Center in downtown Boone on Saturday, March 15th, for an evening of world-class acoustic music. Before the concert, the artists will offer a free mandolin workshop at 5:00 PM, providing fans and musicians alike the chance to learn from two of the finest pickers in the genre. The ticketed concert begins at 7:30 PM, offering an intimate, up-close experience with these award-winning musicians.

Elk River Helping Hands Concert Series to Support Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts in Western North Carolina

February 28, 2025 The people of North Carolina most affected by Hurricane Helene will receive a much-needed financial boost from a series of summer benefit concerts presented by the Elk River Helping Hands organization located in Banner Elk, NC. Former music attorney, artist manager, and television producer Bill Carter created the non-profit along with members of the Elk River Club. The organization serves as a financial resource for residents of western North Carolina impacted by illness, loss, or unforeseen hardship. The current efforts of Elk River Helping Hands are focused on relief efforts in Watauga and Avery counties following Hurricane Helene. “We had no idea how timely our efforts would turn out to be,” Carter said. “The hurricane may have done its initial damage in September, but the need is still staggering.”

February 26, 2025 At the heart of our purposeful programming, we showcase our love and admiration for the brilliant local music scene by offering patrons a taste of regional talent via the annual ‘Local Love’ lineup. Across-the-Way Productions, Inc. and Blue Cow Arts Foundation, Inc. welcome 14 bands as 2025’s Local Loves — Blue Mule, Christian Quesenberry, Cinémathèque, Empty Bottles, Father Sun, Freak Rangers, GOTE, Jatoba, Kerosene Willy, Leonard Blush & The Camelcals, Mountain Walrus, Ripejive, Solacoustix and The Sugar Hollows — each of which will pepper performances over the five days of FloydFest 25~Aurora, the latest annual offering of the Southeast’s premier summer outdoor music festival, taking place Wednesday to Sunday, July 23 to 27, 2025, at its new home, FestivalPark, located at 5826 Floyd Highway North in Check, Va.

February 20, 2025 Join Beech Mountain Resort for two days of raising awareness and conquering colon cancer! Friday, March 7, for an unforgettable evening with live music at the Not So Gala, Gala and on Saturday, March 8, for a fun day of skiing, snowboarding, contests, and more at Runs for Buns! There’s something for everyone! Participate and fundraise as an individual or team at Runs for Buns. Participate by completing as many runs as you can on Saturday, March 8. Fundraising is highly encouraged. Attend an Evening with The Brothers Comatose; the Not So Gala, Gala.
The Not So Gala, Gala will be held on Friday, March 7.

February 18, 2025 Following being named ‘Best Music Festival’ in Blue Ridge Outdoors’ ‘Best of the Blue Ridge 2025’ just last month, Blue Cow Arts Foundation & Across-the-Way Productions release the initial By-Day Artist Schedule and continue to add to the emerging lineup for FloydFest 25~Aurora, the latest annual offering of the Southeast’s premier, award-winning, summer outdoor music festival, taking place Wednesday to Sunday, July 23 to 27, 2025, at its new home, FestivalPark, located at 5826 Floyd Highway North in Check, Va.

February 11, 2025. MerleFest, presented by Window World, will return to Wilkes Community College the weekend of April 24-27 for its 2025 event. Known for blending incredible live music with strong community ties, MerleFest continues to hold its title as a can’t miss annual tradition for both area natives and visitors from all over the world. This year’s festival will highlight the 10th Annual Band Competition, where eight talented finalists will compete for the opportunity to perform on MerleFest’s iconic Hillside Stage. The competition performances will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the winner announced at 4:30 p.m.

February 7, 2025 The Old-Time Fiddler’s Convention returns to Appalachian State University in Boone this weekend and promises to be a fun-filled, foot-stompin’ good time for all involved. Now in its 17th year, the main event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Plemmons Student Union from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A large crowd is expected to attend again this year, including instrumentalists, vocalists and fans of traditional mountain music for which our area is known. A square dance will serve as the official “kick-off” on the evening prior, Friday, Feb. 7, from 5-7 p.m., in the student union solarium. Saturday’s line-up will feature various competitions for adults and youth, including mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle, string band and dance, and held in the Summit Trail Solarium. By Sherrie Norris

February 4, 2025 Acclaimed Americana songwriter, Alexa Rose, will take the stage at the historic Jones House Cultural Center for an exclusive and intimate concert on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. With only 40 seats available, this evening promises to be a one-of-a-kind musical experience. Born in the Alleghany Highlands of western Virginia and raised in the tiny railroad town of Clifton Forge, Rose’s songs feel like oil paint landscapes of her own life in the mountains, often wringing out beauty from mundanity and exploring timeless topics. Her earnest, well-crafted stylings are a multi-layered merger of old country music and traditional folk songs, colored by rock and roll and mountain soul.

January 28, 2025. Louisiana-based bands New Orleans Suspects and Tribal Gold are among the acts headlining the 2025 lineup for the Boonerang Music & Arts Festival, taking place June 19-22. The fourth annual street festival and community homecoming features performances on multiple stages throughout downtown Boone. Presented by the Town of Boone and supporting partners, the multi-day event features performances and activities at many downtown locations, arts vending, silent disco, dance stage, vintage clothing market, participatory drum circle, and kids zone — in addition to the array of food, drinks and shopping always available in downtown Boone.

Southern Appalachian Historical Association Announces Theatre Director for “Horn in the West”® 2025 Season – Boone Native Clarinda Ross

January 22, 2025. The Southern Appalachian Historical Association (SAHA) is thrilled to announce plans for the 2025 season of “Horn in the West”®. As repairs by the Town of Boone will be underway at the Daniel Boone Amphitheater, this year’s performance will be held in the mini-amphitheater area located at Hickory Ridge History Museum, fondly known as “Hickory Ridge Homestead”. HORN will be celebrating our heritage with a return to our historical roots as a fully community-based production, using a local cast. The drama will run for 4 weeks, 3 nights a week, and will be staged in and amongest the cabins for an immersive audience experience. Clarinda Ross is a celebrated professional actor, director, and playwright whose deep local ties and national accolades make her a perfect fit to helm this community-driven performance.

+ More Articles

All Ears: Banner Elk Unveils First-Ever Summer of Music Featuring 90-Plus Live Performances

Beppe Gambetta and Clay Lunsford with Matthew Weaver to Open 2025 Summer Concert Series at the Jones House on June 6th

Elk River Helping Hands Concert Featuring Rock Hall of Fame Member John Oates and Grammy Award-Winning Artist Jim Lauderdale Set for June 20th at Lees-McRae College

Announcing the 2025 Storytelling Live Season at the International Storytelling Center

Nunsense Musical Comes to Banner Elk Presbyterian Church June 1st, 3rd and 4th

Boone Junior Appalachian Musicians (Boone JAM) Spring Recital to Be Held May 13 at Appalachian Theatre

Latest Updates for FloydFest 25~Aurora Music Festival Taking Place July 23 to 27 in Check, Va

MerleFest Concludes 2025 Festival; NC Governor Josh Stein Makes Special Appearance

4th Annual Boonerang Music & Arts Festival Kicks Off with Local Talent Showcase June 19

Next Weekend, April 24-27, Begins MerleFest’s 37th Festival; Tickets Still Available

Jones House Announces 2025 Weekly Summer Concert Series Lineup on Fridays at 5:30

Just Announced! Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton with Royal Masat, Live at the Schaefer Center for Two Nights! September 11 and 12

Community Good Friday Service Returns at Banner Elk Presbyterian April 18

Ticket Prices Increase April 1; On-the-Rise Competition Class of 2025 Announced for FloydFest 25~Aurora

An Appalachian Summer Announces Lineup for 2025 Season June 28-July 26

Darren Nicholson & Shawn Lane to Perform at The Jones House in Boone on March 15th

Elk River Helping Hands Concert Series to Support Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts in Western North Carolina

‘Local Love’ Lineup, Platinum ABC Partners Announced for FloydFest 25~Aurora – July 23-27

Runs for Buns Fundraiser for Conquering Colon Cancer at Beech Mountain March 7 and 8

NINE New Acts Join the Lineup for FloydFest 25~Aurora (July 23-27, 2025), More to Come

MerleFest Shares Finalists for the 10th Annual Band Competition, Adds Carolina Detour, Wilder Flower, and More to 2025 Lineup

Old-Time Fiddler’s Convention Returns to Appalachian State University This Weekend

Alexa Rose to Perform Intimate Concert at Jones House Cultural Center February 19

Music Lineup Announced for Boonerang Music & Arts Festival in June

Southern Appalachian Historical Association Announces Theatre Director for “Horn in the West”® 2025 Season – Boone Native Clarinda Ross