Posted by: jerryfriend | June 27th, 2022
The Billy Strings band setup camp for a three night run at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary NC and they came to play! Many folks, including myself, attended all three nights knowing that there wouldn't be any repeats and a few surprises along the way. And we did get some, including debuts of some new covers. The first song of the first set was just that. Blue Ridge Mountain Blues was played for the first time.
Posted by: jerryfriend | June 13th, 2022
After a 2-year pandemic forced hiatus - Rooster Walk resumed with its 12th edition. This happened to be my first RW however. Had missed all prior, working or vending at other events on the busy Memorial Day Weekends. It was much hyped by all of my music loving friends and I'm happy to report that the event lived up to that hype.
Posted by: jerryfriend | March 3rd, 2022
Words and Photos: Jerry Friend
The Marcus King Band came rolling into the Triangle for their sold out performance at the Ritz, Raleigh. Fans were eager to catch the band, whose tour continues up the East Coast. The energy level in the room was higher than the nearby treetops.
Posted by: jerryfriend | February 14th, 2022
Words: Erika Rasmussen
Photos: Jerry Friend
On Friday, February 11, at the Greensboro Coliseum, we gathered at the Home of the ACC Basketball Tournaments. This Billy Strings show would be like a Tournament of Champions. Imagine a dream team of bluegrass, psychedelic, and metal artists, that come together to form an otherworldly mash-up in the form of one artist.
Posted by: jerryfriend | January 3rd, 2022
Words and Photos by: Jerry Friend
The Marcus King Band hosted a two night throw down at The Peace Center, in beautiful downtown Greenville, South Carolina. I was able to attend on Friday December 31st to celebrate the coming of the New Year.
Marvin King, Marcus King's father opened the show with his band the Marvin King Revue. Marvin started the night off with Highway 61, a Bob Dylan song, but Marvin played it more in line with the well known cover by Johnny Winter. Marvin's slide guitar grabbed the crowds' attention right away, and energy filled the room.
Posted by: jerryfriend | November 16th, 2021
Words and Photos by: Jerry Friend
Drive By Truckers with Buffalo Nichols The Ramkat 11.10.2021
On a an otherwise calm and relatively quiet Wednesday night in Winston Salem, over 500 Drive By Truckers fans, who call themselves heathens, many of them loyal followers of the band going on twenty years spilled into The Ramkat to enjoy "The Rock Show"
Posted by: jerryfriend | November 3rd, 2021
Imagine you're at a family pig pickin', just listening to Grandpa's bluegrass on the radio out back. Then your weird uncle decides to play "Dark Side of the Rainbow" for you in his room because "Man, if you know, you KNOW...". That's what it was like to experience Billy Strings' Halloweekend opener at Asheville's Harrah's Cherokee Center on October 29. The light towers around the perimeter of the band were like a psychedelic picket fence. The background and the band's wardrobe were as gray as granny's wedding photo and an impending storm on the horizon.
Posted by: jerryfriend | October 29th, 2021
Fans in central NC had much anticipation heading into this show. The band was originally scheduled to play in April 2020, but COVID changed all of our plans. We were all stoked when this performance was rescheduled. Lincoln Theatre is one of the best places to catch bands on the rise before they hit the big time. Indications point to POTR one day headlining amphitheaters - so go see them in theaters while you can!
