WNC Original Music

The return of The Get Right Band continues against all odds
 
Find The Get Right Band here
thegetrightband.com
Facebook
open.spotify.com
YouTube
Instagram
 
Thanks to Stress Dolls  for the closing song
Instagram - instagram.com/stressdolls
Facebook - facebook.com/stressdollsmusic
TikTok - tiktok.com/@stressdolls
Youtube - youtube.com/@stressdolls
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2L4MBngvappicW4avjknRZ?si=GV-cbUQuSmKuSXvwSv3ewA
 
Subscribe to the podcast -
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wnc-original-music/id1378776313
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/wnc-original-music-31067964/
This link has all the other places to subscribe
https://gopod.me/wncom
 
Follow on Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/wncoriginalmusic
https://www.wncoriginalmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/wnc_original_music/
 
All music used by permission
 
“The Get Right Band filters 60’s/70’s psychedelia and 90’s alternative rock through a modern lens–
as if Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Nirvana co-wrote an album produced by Danger Mouse and Dan Auerbach.”-American Songwriter
 
The Get Right Band is a psychedelic indie rock power trio committed to relentlessly following their muses to honest self-expression, to whatever excites them and pushes them into unexplored territory, to capturing some version of truth. American Songwriter writes that the Asheville, NC based group, “filters 60’s/70’s psychedelia and 90’s alternative rock through a modern lens–as if Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Nirvana co-wrote an album produced by Danger Mouse and Dan Auerbach.”
The Get Right Band formed in 2011, built around the musical brotherhood that guitarist/singer/songwriter Silas Durocher and bassist Jesse Gentry have formed playing music together since middle school (25 years!). Durocher, who is a trained composer and has been commissioned to write for symphonies and chamber groups, has guitar chops that can soothe or rage, with a charismatic swagger as frontman and singer. Gentry’s virtuosic bass playing “catapults from elastic to nasty” (The Mountain Xpress). Over the years, GRB has defined their sound through constant evolution, building to the hook-driven, synth-heavy pop/rock/psych band they are today. The Huffington Post writes, “their songs are infectious and take you immediately to a place. The lyrics are smart and bear weight.” 
 
“The Get Right Band are the type of performers that you just know will break out.Their songs are infectious and take you immediately to a place. The lyrics are smart and bear weight.”
– The Huffington Post
 
The Get Right Band has shared the stage with Dr. Dog, Everclear, Cracker, UB40, Rusted Root, Smash Mouth, and Lifehouse; been featured on NPR’s World Cafe, Paste Studio, and WTF with Marc Maron; and performed at major venues and festivals including The Fillmore, Brooklyn Bowl, Theatre of the Living Arts, The Orange Peel, FloydFest, Bristol Rhythm & Roots, and Riverbend Fest. They have released four studio albums and a live album, and their latest LP, iTopia, dropped on April 7, 2023.
 
Stress Dolls is the moniker of Chelsea O'Donnell, a songwriter from Buffalo, NY. She writes songs inspired by life experiences, ranging from dealing with chronic illness, to learning to live with anxiety, and even a few love songs thrown in for good measure. Currently, Stress Dolls takes on several forms live: solo with O'Donnell and her acoustic guitar; as a duo when joined by longtime collaborator Sally Schaefer on violin; or as a band when combined with members TJ Luckman (bass), Jordan Smith (lead guitar), and Josh English (drums). The project's sound has drawn such comparisons as "Joni Mitchell meets Nirvana," "Avril Lavigne and Foo Fighters in a blender," and "Kathleen Hanna fronting Modest Mouse."
 
 

One episode couldn't contain all of Andrew Thelston's talent. A bonus episode so huge I had to being in Courtney Cahill to help control it.
 
Listen and follow Andrew Thelston
http://www.andrewthelston.com/
https://spotify.link/acRkq9CdPDb
https://music.apple.com/us/album/illuminated-plastic-ep/1708447014
  
Check out Courtney Cahill's projects
https://instagram.com/rockyhorrormusicshow
https://instagram.com/doubleloveandthetrouble
 
Subscribe to the podcast -
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wnc-original-music/id1378776313
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/wnc-original-music-31067964/
This link has all the other places to subscribe
https://gopod.me/wncom
 
Follow on Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/wncoriginalmusic
https://www.wncoriginalmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/wnc_original_music/
 
All music used by permission
 
The Andrew Thelston Band, voted #1 favorite rock band in the 2023 Best of WNC contest by Mountain Xpress, has been stunning audiences in the WNC region (and beyond) for 5 years. Frontman Thelston, voted #1 best guitarist in the same competition, is the creative force, bringing high-energy, funk-infused original rock n’ roll that draws influence from Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Led Zeppelin, and Queen. In 2019, Thelston’s original music was featured on the hit Netflix show “Lucifer.” Thelston is widely known for his guitar virtuosity and soaring vocals, and leads the 4-piece band with a dynamic stage presence. Bassist Roddy Wilder and drummer Jeff Lott create a rock solid rhythm for Thelston’s guitar and vocals. Singer-songwriter/keyboardist Carrie Morrison fills out the band’s sound with powerhouse vocals and technical prowess
 
“Guitar-heavy rock that takes in late 1960s psychedelia, blues influenced solos, and occasional nods to acoustic folk, all tied together by Thelston’s earnest, emotional vocals”-Greenville Journal
 
“In terms of musical ambassadors within the melodic melting pot of a scene that is Western North Carolina, you’d be hard-pressed to find an artist as dedicated and inclusive as that of Andrew Thelston.”- Garret K. Woodard Smoky Mountain News
 
“Andrew Thelston Band is a force to be reckoned with”- Alex Deutsch: WNC Original Music Podcast
 
“I can’t wait to hear more from such a talented artist. The future of Andrew Thelston is looking bright”-LOCAL LIVE Magazine
 
 “Andrew Thelston is one of the hardest working, talented and intelligent artists in the Asheville area”-LSTNIN

Andrew Thelston returns to talk about his new EP Illuminated Plastic. Courtney Cahill co-interviews and honestly does a better job than I ever have.
 
Click here for easy streaming or download -  
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/utse7f/Ep_173_Andrew_Thelston_Illuminated_Plastic_EPadnqb.mp3
 
Listen and follow Andrew Thelston
http://www.andrewthelston.com/
https://spotify.link/acRkq9CdPDb
https://music.apple.com/us/album/illuminated-plastic-ep/1708447014
  
Check out Courtney Cahill's projects
https://instagram.com/rockyhorrormusicshow
https://instagram.com/doubleloveandthetrouble
 
Find The Lily Vakili Band here
https://www.facebook.com/LilyVakiliBand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O2JmOb65Lw
http://lilyvakili.com/
 
Subscribe to the podcast -
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wnc-original-music/id1378776313
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/wnc-original-music-31067964/
This link has all the other places to subscribe
https://gopod.me/wncom
 
Follow on Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/wncoriginalmusic
https://www.wncoriginalmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/wnc_original_music/
 
All music used by permission
 
The Andrew Thelston Band, voted #1 favorite rock band in the 2023 Best of WNC contest by Mountain Xpress, has been stunning audiences in the WNC region (and beyond) for 5 years. Frontman Thelston, voted #1 best guitarist in the same competition, is the creative force, bringing high-energy, funk-infused original rock n’ roll that draws influence from Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Led Zeppelin, and Queen. In 2019, Thelston’s original music was featured on the hit Netflix show “Lucifer.” Thelston is widely known for his guitar virtuosity and soaring vocals, and leads the 4-piece band with a dynamic stage presence. Bassist Roddy Wilder and drummer Jeff Lott create a rock solid rhythm for Thelston’s guitar and vocals. Singer-songwriter/keyboardist Carrie Morrison fills out the band’s sound with powerhouse vocals and technical prowess
 
“Guitar-heavy rock that takes in late 1960s psychedelia, blues influenced solos, and occasional nods to acoustic folk, all tied together by Thelston’s earnest, emotional vocals”-Greenville Journal
 
“In terms of musical ambassadors within the melodic melting pot of a scene that is Western North Carolina, you’d be hard-pressed to find an artist as dedicated and inclusive as that of Andrew Thelston.”- Garret K. Woodard Smoky Mountain News
 
“Andrew Thelston Band is a force to be reckoned with”- Alex Deutsch: WNC Original Music Podcast
 
“I can’t wait to hear more from such a talented artist. The future of Andrew Thelston is looking bright”-LOCAL LIVE Magazine
 
 “Andrew Thelston is one of the hardest working, talented and intelligent artists in the Asheville area”-LSTNIN
 

The Get Right Band returns to talk about their recent album iTopia
 
Find The Get Right Band here
thegetrightband.com
Facebook
open.spotify.com
YouTube
Instagram
 
Subscribe to the podcast -
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wnc-original-music/id1378776313
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/wnc-original-music-31067964/
This link has all the other places to subscribe
https://gopod.me/wncom
 
Follow on Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/wncoriginalmusic
https://www.wncoriginalmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/wnc_original_music/
 
All music used by permission
 
“The Get Right Band filters 60’s/70’s psychedelia and 90’s alternative rock through a modern lens–
as if Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Nirvana co-wrote an album produced by Danger Mouse and Dan Auerbach.”-American Songwriter
 
The Get Right Band is a psychedelic indie rock power trio committed to relentlessly following their muses to honest self-expression, to whatever excites them and pushes them into unexplored territory, to capturing some version of truth. American Songwriter writes that the Asheville, NC based group, “filters 60’s/70’s psychedelia and 90’s alternative rock through a modern lens–as if Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Nirvana co-wrote an album produced by Danger Mouse and Dan Auerbach.”
 
The Get Right Band formed in 2011, built around the musical brotherhood that guitarist/singer/songwriter Silas Durocher and bassist Jesse Gentry have formed playing music together since middle school (25 years!). Durocher, who is a trained composer and has been commissioned to write for symphonies and chamber groups, has guitar chops that can soothe or rage, with a charismatic swagger as frontman and singer. Gentry’s virtuosic bass playing “catapults from elastic to nasty” (The Mountain Xpress). Over the years, GRB has defined their sound through constant evolution, building to the hook-driven, synth-heavy pop/rock/psych band they are today. The Huffington Post writes, “their songs are infectious and take you immediately to a place. The lyrics are smart and bear weight.” 
 
“The Get Right Band are the type of performers that you just know will break out.Their songs are infectious and take you immediately to a place. The lyrics are smart and bear weight.”
– The Huffington Post
 
The Get Right Band has shared the stage with Dr. Dog, Everclear, Cracker, UB40, Rusted Root, Smash Mouth, and Lifehouse; been featured on NPR’s World Cafe, Paste Studio, and WTF with Marc Maron; and performed at major venues and festivals including The Fillmore, Brooklyn Bowl, Theatre of the Living Arts, The Orange Peel, FloydFest, Bristol Rhythm & Roots, and Riverbend Fest. They have released four studio albums and a live album, and their latest LP, iTopia, dropped on April 7, 2023.
 

Stephen Evans returns and apparently no hard feelings.  Whew!
 
Find Stephen Evans and the True Grits here
www.stephenevansmusic.com
www.facebook.com/stephenevansmusic
https://www.instagram.com/stephenevansmusic/
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/stephenevansandthetruegrits/buzz-of-bees
Spotify
 
Thanks to David C Warren for the closing song
https://gringononsense.com/
https://www.facebook.com/gringononsense
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5zqYalZIt9O3qzqseVLvsd
https://music.amazon.com/artists/B0BJGDPHT7/david-c-warren?refMarker=null
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/david-c-warren/1650157490
 
Subscribe to the podcast -
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wnc-original-music/id1378776313
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/wnc-original-music-31067964/
This link has all the other places to subscribe
https://gopod.me/wncom
 
Follow on Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/wncoriginalmusic
https://www.wncoriginalmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/wnc_original_music/
 
All music used by permission
 
After many years of vacillating between being a professional musician and building a nest in Asheville, NC, Stephen Evans finally asked his friends, Brian Shoemaker (bass), Sam Hess (drums), and Woodstock (mandolin), to form the True Grits and make some music together in 2014. 
The very next year, Stephen Evans & the True Grits released their first LP "Something to Bleed".  Inspired to release more music, they followed two years later with their EP "Under the Bridge."  Both records have received local and regional praise for their passion and creativity. 
Stephen's strong melodic songwriting style is a blend of vivid imagery, darkness, and hopeful optimism.  There's no denying the feeling that shines through with his evocative vocals and lyrics.  Songs like ‘Ghost Among the Trees’, 'The Garden', 'Cherokee Hills', 'Shining Star', and '1000 Roses' are beacons of his folk rock song craft. With radio play on Western North Carolina radio stations, as well as shows around the region, Stephen Evans & the True Grits are becoming a local favorite.   
"Buzz of Bees" is their latest album, released in December of 2022, of folk rock with some songs dipping their toes into other styles like Americana, Latin Folk, and Vaudeville.  Singles from the LP, ‘Ghost Among the Trees’, ‘Winning the Day’, and ‘Estefania’, are already receiving radio play on local stations as well as national online radio and music podcasts.  Look for Stephen Evans & the True Grits playing fun live shows all around the area to support this beautiful album.
 
Born on the cusp of a decade, David C Warren grew up in a house filled with music. There were always records playing and a stash of 45s to plunder. By age thirteen, he bought an electric guitar and amp after a year or so of hopelessly trying to rock out on his dad’s nylon string classical guitar. He started writing his own songs, tentatively at first and then with greater confidence when he started college at FSU and had added new sounds to his sonic palette - REM, The Smiths, Violent Femmes - the music of the time that pricked his ears and powered his first band, Mean Season. A stab at making it as a professional musician in Atlanta didn’t pan out, but coming through that experience, Warren gained a wife (after he moved back to Florida to woo her) and a career. Music took a back seat for a while and those songs he’d crafted so carefully began their long, low simmer. Warren slowly made his way back to music, and the songs on this album. In the time since he picked up a guitar and strummed his first chords, he has spent the years burnishing his musicianship, honing his craft as a songwriter, and learning how to capture musical lightning in a digital bottle. He’s calling the end result “Song of the Sinner,” after a song on the record that introduces listeners to Warren’s own inner struggle that plateaus at hope, rather than victory.

This is a special song mp3-only episode of the podcast featuring Michael C Parris's song Guns, Jesus, and the Bible, co-written with and produced by Will Kimbrough
Click here for a direct mp3 download https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/7fg4r2/Guns_Bible_Jesus_MST_441kHz_16bit9ldtc.mp3
 
Show your appreciation to Michael for this free track at these places
Venmo | Michael Parris
Paypal- pcvmikeparris@yahoo.com
Michael C Parris  website
Michael C Parris (@michaelcparris) • Instagram photos and videos
 
“Michael C Parris is sharing his creative journey in real time. He’s up with the sun, writing songs, and sharing them via social media. There is no one quite like him. We have become collaborators. “Guns, Jesus and the Bible” is a moving and powerful statement.“ - Will Kimbrough
 
 

Ivy Eld answers all kinds of musical and counseling questions.
 
Click here to reserve tickets for Ivy Eld's album release show at the Grey Eagle. NOW!
 
Find Ivy Eld at these places-
www.ivyeld.com
https://www.facebook.com/ivyeld
https://www.instagram.com/ivy.eld/
 
Thanks to Counter for the closing song
www.counter.rocks
https://biglink.to/Counter
 
Subscribe to the podcast -
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wnc-original-music/id1378776313
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/wnc-original-music-31067964/
 
Follow on Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/wncoriginalmusic
https://www.wncoriginalmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/wnc_original_music/
 
All music used by permission
 
Ivy Eld’s music dances in the land of paradox. Her voice is simultaneously angelic andrawly human, fiery and red-wine smooth. Her evocative and tender songwriting inviteslisteners to dive in quickly and deeply, piercing weary hearts and enshrouding them withthe fierce love and witnessing they desire and deserve. Her vulnerable, heartfelt lyricssoar through the air on the wings of her transcendent, soulful voice.
A mental health professional for over a decade and a half, Ivy has been privy to thesacred inner worlds of thousands of souls (while navigating her own inner hallways,dark attics, and sun-lit living rooms). This rich interpersonal and intrapersonalexperience and her curiosity about the internal landscape saturates her songs. Shelongs for her music to be an oasis of healing and beauty, a call to deeper respect andcompassion for ourselves and for humanity, and also just some plain old fun for theears. As a solo artist, her shows are intimate, playful, and deep. And whenaccompanied by her band, her songs become even more layered and potent with thebackdrop of rich rhythms and moody, electric sounds.
Ivy considers her music to be another facet of how she shows up in the world inauthentic and passionate service— both as a musician and as a therapist. She hopesher thoughtful, earthy, poetic songs will inspire others to look inside – light, shadows,and all – and come home to their deeply worthy selves.
 
Counter is an original modern rock band hailing from Western NC featuring driving rhythms, lush vocal harmonies and in-your- face guitars in a sonic mixture of rock, metal, pop and punk.

Singer-Songwriter Jennifer Alvarado  returns and has even more confusing anecdotes
 
Find Jennifer at these places-
 https://direct.me/jenniferalvaradowww.jenniferalvarado.comhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/0bM0RX6zTNn5MuKdpb92xU?si=d7Xr7cSlTkqcXXivm_9sIw&dl_branch=1www.instagram.com/jenniferalvaradomusicwww.facebook.com/jemmusic12youtube.com/jemmusic12https://www.reverbnation.com/jenniferalvarado
 
Thanks to Alison Price for her review of The Tragic Dance of Dying Leaves by Canary Complex,
https://www.instagram.com/canary.complex/
https://open.spotify.com/album/6tdoa1a7jEmcPruds0EZbc?si=xwe6RxZfRnu8pt-iDlfdsA
 
Subscribe to the podcast -
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wnc-original-music/id1378776313
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/wnc-original-music-31067964/
 
Follow on Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/wncoriginalmusic
https://www.wncoriginalmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/wnc_original_music/
 
All music used by permission
 
At just four years old, Jennifer Alvarado started writing songs. Her passion for songwriting only comes second to her love for God. As a teenager, she began leading worship in her church and felt a call to ministry. Her first single “Relentlessly” was released in 2015 followed by her first Christian album "Hello Life" that consisted of 13 original songs. She returned to her country roots with her single “I Break Things” that was released in early 2020. She released four additional singles during 2020. She has a passion for recovery ministry and wants to help give a voice to the voiceless through music. Her first country EP titled "Playing with Fire" was released in April 2021. Her first Pop influenced single “IDWYB (I Don't Want You Back)” was rel eased in June 2021. She is currently working on a country/pop album that will be released later this year. Her sound is a mixture of country, pop and blues that reflect an eclectic blend of influences.
 
Notables Named “One to Watch” by Nashville Songwriters Association in Spring 2021 CommScope Earth Day Regional Award Winner with Original Song in 2015 “I Break Things” and “Playing with Fire” have been voted Number 1 on Indie Star Radio’s Top 21 for multiple weeks. And “IDWYB” debuted at #2 on their Top 21 countdown it’s first week. She was a World Songwriter Awards Top 10 finalist for “Best Pop Song” with “IDWYB.” Artist of the Week for Indie Star Radio week of July 4th through 10th. Over 280k streams on Spotify.

Cutlass jumps on the podcast and give all the opinions you are thinking but know better than to say out loud! Just kidding they're funny, laid back guys.
  
Listen and follow Cutlass at these places
https://www.instagram.com/cutlassmusic/?hl=en
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Pf6RzYh2dCV4iK9mql7bo
https://www.tiktok.com/@cutlassmusic?lang=en
 
Find Dark City Kings here
https://thedarkcitykings.bandcamp.com/track/honey-bee
 
Subscribe to the podcast -
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wnc-original-music/id1378776313
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/wnc-original-music-31067964/
This link has all the other places to subscribe
https://gopod.me/wncom
 
Follow on Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/wncoriginalmusic
https://www.wncoriginalmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/wnc_original_music/
 
All music used by permission
 
Cutlass is a dynamic alternative rock duo that draws heavy influence from the music of the late 60s to early 90s. Notable influences include Sam Cooke, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, Drake, Cake, Beethoven, Soundgarden, Prince, Rihanna and the Human Condition.  Their 4th studio album "The East" will be released Winter 2022. Essential recordings include "Blue Bloods" "Used to" and "Slave". Cutlass can be found on all streaming platforms via the name Cutlass Music. 

 Jesse Frizsell comes back to the podcast and tells us how to impersonate Nick Mac but does not do the actual impression! Tease!
  
Listen and follow Jesse at these places
https://jessefrizsell.hearnow.com/back-to-carolina
https://www.instagram.com/jessefrizsell/
Amazon Music
Apple Music
Spotify
https://www.facebook.com/JesseFrizsell
 
Thanks to Jay Regan for the closing song
New Album "The Gap Between" available Now
https://open.spotify.com/album/5Jj36Dm4z8JPqzKJwN1dwj
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnu1VSISrOwIGGm1lPAoZew
See my 1966 Dodge Dart GT Restoration videos  here: 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMWartYBjcaCvKb4MJl1aeA
https://jayregan.bandcamp.com/
www.jayregan.us
 
Listen to Michael Parris's album Honey Bee here -
Michael C Parris
Spotify: Honeybee
 
Subscribe to the podcast -
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wnc-original-music/id1378776313
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/wnc-original-music-31067964/
This link has all the other places to subscribe
https://gopod.me/wncom
 
Follow on Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/wncoriginalmusic
https://www.wncoriginalmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/wnc_original_music/
 
All music used by permission
 
Hailing from the mountains of western North Carolina, guitarist and songwriter Jesse Frizsell seamlessly combines aspects of modern and classic country. Born in Asheville, NC, Jesse grew up learning and playing his favorite tunes by classic artists. By the age of 16, he was playing in various local bands. Frizsell has performed at the Warren Haynes Christmas Jam both with his band and more recently as a solo artist. He has opened for acts such as Bret Michaels (of Poison), Blackberry Smoke, Framing Hanley and shared the stage with Kevin Kinney (of Drivin’ N Cryin’) as well as Justin Biltonen (of 3 Doors Down). More recently, Jesse writes songs for the heartbroken, the working man and those ready and willing to unwind after a long day. He participates actively in the local Asheville music scene and regionally in the Southeast. You can find him most weekends playing as a member of The Western Carolina Writers, solo or with his bluegrass trio, Jesse Frizsell and the Riffers. Jesse has released a two song EP, “A Couple of Songs for Drinking”,in 2018, and a full length album “Rose Gold Renegades”, in 2019, both available for streaming or download on all major platforms. His latest endeavor takes a more traditional approach honoring the music of the mountains he grew up in. “Back to Carolina”, his homage to bluegrass will be available everywhere the 1st of October, 2021
 
 
Hailing from Philadelphia Jay Regan is the former vocalist and guitarist of the bands April Fool, Dezire and Today We Live. After a hiatus, Jay decided to venture out as a solo artist which cumulated in the release of his first solo album Dreams and Nightmares in 2014. Since then Jay has performed hundreds of shows and has released two more albums, 2017’s Wash Me and 2023’s The Gap Between. Jay’s music is a mix of rock styles and touches on genres such as modern rock, folk rock, alt-country, funk, and R&B. 
 
 
Singer-songwriter Michael C. Parris is from Millboro, N.C., most famous, perhaps, for where Daner Johnson taught Charlie Poole to play banjo. Michael’s grandfather, Red Parris, used to play with Daner in the late ’30s. Songs by Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Emmylou Harris, John Prine and Waylon Jennings were fixtures in his young life, and you can feel their influence in Michael’s music. Michael grew up in Randolph County, passing the time by hunting rabbit, priming tobacco, working in chicken houses, milking cows, playing basketball, listening to country music and running wild with his cousins. Later, he attended UNC-Greensboro and, in 2002, after joining the Peace Corps, he began writing songs while serving in Jamaica.
One fine day in 2021, Michael got his big break when Todd Snider asked him to open for him in Charleston, S.C. Soon after Will Kayuk agreed to fund and produce Michael’s solo project, assembling an amazing group of Nashville musicians known as The 9 Finger Chicken String Band that included Will Kimbrough, Chris Donahue, Benjamin Bynum, Court Clement, Steve Brewster and Andy Leftwich. The album “HoneyBee” blends roots music styles, including country, bluegrass, roots-rock and folk with simple lyrics and beautiful imagery, harkening back to Michael’s Randolph County beginnings.