THE BEARDED

OCTOBER 31

TRUE BLUE 

NOVEMBER 1

True Blue is a Knoxville Tennessee based mostly-bluegrass band formed by banjo instructor, Banjo Newsletter contributor, and Mel Bay author Jack Hatfield over forty years ago. In the early years. Jack’s job as a full-time music instructor prohibited touring so he was content to perform on the East Tennessee convention circuit, local music venues, private and corporate events, and they did a stint in the 1980’s as the Dollywood bluegrass band. Having been around so long there have been many personnel changes. Notable True Blue alumni include well-known artists such as Roscoe Morgan, Richard Bennett, Paul Brewster, Clay Hess, Tim Laughlin, and Wayne Taylor. In 2023 after divesting himself from most of his other lifelong vocational obligations Jack was able to become more dedicated to his music. He made personnel changes and the band started more focused and regular practice and began introducing original material and exploring non-bluegrass music styles. They are looking forward to touring and working at more prestigious festivals and concert venues and releasing their original music.

ADAM WHIPPLE

NOVEMBER 7

Adam Whipple blends an eclectic, highly literate brand of folk rock with a more traditional Appalachian sound. His music has been described as equal parts Rich Mullins and Garrison Keillor and compared to Andrew Peterson, Paul Simon, and Counting Crows. Having played all over the US and internationally before crowds large and small, Adam still deeply enjoys the familial ethos of house shows, bringing song and poetry to families and their friends in a living room or backyard setting.

EVIE ANDRUS

NOVEMBER 8

Evie Andrus has spent most of her adult life adding tasty licks to other people’s projects, adding just the right ingredient to make a piece of music sound its best. With the release of her first album under her own name, “Evie’s Great Adventure,” the fiddler/vocalist ready to deliver the main course. The new album is flat-out feel-good music delivered with the same heart and soul that’s made Evie a popular performer all across the Southeast. Maybe you caught her bands Barefoot Sanctuary or Buffalo Fiasco, or heard her backing up renowned cellist Dave Eggar, irreverent singer-songwriter Roger Alan Wade, or performing at the Big Ears Festival with improvisational great Lonnie Holley, or maybe you spotted her backing up Foreigner on a short tour. There’s also the possibility that you heard her music on the HBO series “The Outsider” or saw her appearance on “American Ninja Warrior.”

Russell Walker

NOVEMBER 14

Russell Walker is a singer/songwriter and honky-tonker with a voice made for late nights and neon lights. Whether he’s belting out heartfelt originals or putting his spin on classic covers, Russell keeps the dance floor alive and Two Steppin’ somewhere close.

Corey James Clifton Band

NOVEMBER 15

Don’t miss Corey James Clifton, an East Tennessee native, at Boyd’s Jig & Reel. After eight years of traveling the West Coast perfecting his craft, Corey has returned home as a premier artist in the South. He blends soul, rock, blues, and R&B with addictive riffs and powerful lyrics. His live shows are energetic, memorable, and kick-ass. 

FOUR LEAF PEAT

November 22

BLUE MOTHER TUPELO

NOVEMBER 28

Blue Mother Tupelo is comprised of Ricky & Micol (pronounced “Michael”) Anne Davis. Their life together as Blue Mother Tupelo began in Knoxville, Tennessee, as a duo in 1995 before melding into various experimental configurations, from a famous blues-rock electric quartet to a kind of acoustic-driven country blues. Chosen by 2022 Music Artist of the Year by The Southland Music Line, BMT songs & albums have charted #5 in Americana and #2 in Euro-Americana Radio, as well as having reached the U.S. Top 40 Country Charts. 

FIVE MILE MOUNTAIN ROAD

NOVEMBER 29

Hailing from the Moonshine Capital of the World, Five Mile Mountain Road brings a relentless energy and precision to Bluegrass, Western Swing, and old-time Country Music!

MODAL MOUNTAIN

DECEMBER 5

Modal Mountain is a trio featuring a variety of Irish, old-time, jazz, bluegrass, and more. The song repertoire pulls from artists Gillian Welch, Sam Amidon, Martin Hayes, Ralph Stanley, and more. Achieving the praise and appreciation of bluegrass heroes such as Gary “Biscuit” Davis (Dolly Parton, 5-time National Banjo Champion), Noam Pikelny (Punch Brothers, Mighty Poplar), Jack Tuttle (Molly Tuttle), Tony Trischka, Jens Kruger (Kruger Brothers), and numerous others, Willow, Jesse and Cody are exceptional ambassadors of American music, combining a rich knowledge of the history of Appalachian, jazz, Irish and popular American traditions with a fresh and original musical identity. The three are highly influential artists, each in their own right, with a deep technical mastery of their craft and a passion for connecting to audiences through an outstanding breadth of musical styles.

VICKIE VAUGHN

DECEMBER 6

A Western Kentucky native, Vickie Vaughn stomped into Nashville with a fistful of original material and a desire to play bass and sing with the best of them. In 2015, Vaughn released her debut EP under the production of Bluegrass royalty Ronnie McCoury before heading out on the road singing background vocals with Patty Loveless. She has been sighted sharing the stage of the Bluegrass fan favorite festival, ROMP, singing in a trio with fellow Kentuckians, Ricky Skaggs and Patty Loveless. Three Grand Ole Opry appearances later, Vickie now tours with Grammy-nominated Della Mae, who frequents the stage with greats such as Billy Strings and comedians Steve Martin and Martin Short. Led by the production of Sister Sadie’s Deanie Richardson, Vickie will be releasing her debut solo record in 2025. Vickie is also proud to be the 2023 and 2024 International Bluegrass Association’s Bass Player of the Year.