WNC Original Music

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
 
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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
 
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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
 
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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 -
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This link has all the other places to subscribe
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Follow on Social Media
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https://www.wncoriginalmusic.com
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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 -
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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.

Tricia Tripp of  Hearts Gone South  returns to the podcast and she's finally cheered up a little.
 
Download mp3
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/hexyqt/Ep_166_Hearts_Gone_South_the_Return79vg9.mp3
 
Listen to and follow Hearts Gone South at these places
https://www.instagram.com/heartsgonesouth/
https://www.facebook.com/heartsgonesouth/
https://heartsgonesouth.bandcamp.com/
 
Thanks to Pippa Hoover for providing this week's closing song
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Z7Qs2TAekHLIZ3D02XT35?si=1U9vX7iRQ_yh3M-Bz_KVJg
https://www.instagram.com/pippahoover
 
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All music used by permission

Taylor Maxson part three where we try to avoid slandering someone
 
Listen to and follow Taylor at these places
https://taylormaxson.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Taylor-Maxson-music-104463224561160/
https://soundcloud.com/taylor-maxson-473072032
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/taylor-maxson-asheville-nc/821209
 
Subscribe to the podcast -
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All music used by permission

Couldn't Be Happiers stop by to talk about music and get some very ineffective couples counseling
 
Listen and follow Couldn't Be Happiers
www.couldntbehappiers.com
www.facebook.com/couldntbehappiers
www.instagram.com/couldntbehappiers
 
Thanks to The Simple Joy for the closing song
 
Subscribe to the podcast -
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All music used by permission
 
The Couldn't Be Happiers are a married, songwriting alt-country/Americana duo from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Jordan Crosby Lee (guitar and vocals) is a born again North Carolinian originally from Texas. His love of Texas music still runs deep, and his conversational songwriting style is redolent of Robert Earl Keen and Bruce Robison.  North Carolina native Jodi Hildebran Lee (drums, harmonica, and vocals) brings a more traditional/bluesy country dressing to their sound. Her voice is bold, brilliant, and hair-raisingly beautiful. Their sound is uniquely their own, but if a comparison must be made, think Violent Femmes meets Johnny & June. They cover everything from their love for each other to the rueful life of a Sasquatch hunter. The lyrics are nuanced, funny, and purposeful.
 
The duo’s first full-length album, "Songs for Butchie," is out now in three volumes. The album is named in honor of Jordan's late father, John Lee, who passed away on November 3, 2020, from a rare brain cancer.  "Butchie" was undoubtedly the band's biggest fan, and his faith in Jordan and Jodi is what drove them to finally write and release this album.  Melissa Clarke, Ph.D., of Americana Highways called their music on this album “witty and entertaining, even as the lyrics weave in serious topics to consider.”
 
They also just wrapped filming a commercial for a fancy ad agency, but they can’t talk about it until it comes out almost a year from now…but, they are super stoked about it.  They also got a few songs into a sync library in 2022, so they've got their fingers crossed they might show up somewhere on your TV or computer soon...
 

Katie Sachs drops by and tries to get me cancelled
 
Listen and follow Katie Sachs
https://www.katiesachs.com/
https://www.instagram.com/katiesachs_band/
https://www.facebook.com/Katiesachsmusic/
 
Thanks to Jack Adamant for the closing song
https://jackadamant.com
https://open.spotify.com/jackadamant/
https://jackadamant.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jackadamant/
https://www.facebook.com/jackadamantofficial
 
Subscribe to the podcast -
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All music used by permission
 
BIO:
Katie Sachs is an Asheville, NC - based songwriter, powerhouse vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist, who sings from the guts and delivers a raw, urgently emotional musical experience to listeners. Through eccentric lyrics and catchy melodies, Katie reveals an inner world that is brutally honest, deeply vulnerable, and highly relatable.  Her appreciation of wide-ranging musical styles comes through in her work, and makes it hard to put a label on her.  If influences were ingredients, they would include: a base of Billie Holiday, a dash of David Byrne, a pinch of Pixies, and a flavor of Feist. 
BRAGS:With a degree in creative writing, extensive national touring, and over 20 years of songwriting behind her, Katie is a seasoned performer who knows how to connect with her audience and make them cry, laugh, ponder, and fall silent.  She has performed at iconic venues such as: Club Passim in Boston, MA, Hole in the Wall, Strangebrew and the Driskill Hotel in Austin, TX, and the Threadgill stage at Kerrville Folk Festival. Co-bills include the likes of Heather Maloney, Ley Line, Peter Tork (Of the Monkees) and trading songs around campfires with a then-unknown Adrianne Lenker (Big Thief.) Katie's full catalogue of music (4 albums, from 2012 - 2021) can be downloaded on Bandcamp. Stream music on Spotify and all other online streaming platforms or catch one of her live shows!
 
Jack Adamant is a Italian singer/songwriter who now lives and records in Stockholm and has just released his sophomore album ”Obscure Places & Cupboards” on AR Recordings. Produced by Jack and his drummer Ged at home mainly during lockdown, the new record has a more indie-punk feel to it compared with his 2019 debut ”Unkind”.