The Travelin’ McCourys will once again gather for a two-night Bluegrass Ball in Asheville, featuring Andy Thorn on the banjo (Leftover Salmon), Asheville’s guitarist Jon Stickley, and bassist Travis Book (Infamous Stringdusters). The event will take place at Isis Music Hall on Thursday and Friday next week.
A staple on the bluegrass touring circuit, The Travelin’ McCourys are known for being able to play with just about anybody. They consistently break down musical boundaries, having picked alongside such wide-ranging artists as Tedeschi Trucks Band, Phish, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and more, at their own Delfest, and at festivals across the country.
Joining the first family of bluegrass will be quite a crop of nationally known players, all with strong ties to North Carolina. Banjo player Andy Thorn grew up in Durham, taking frequent trips with his family to Merlefest, where he was able to learn from the best bluegrass musicians in the world. He later studied music at UNC-Chapel Hill before joining the pioneer “jamgrass” band Leftover Salmon. We will also be graced by the rich timbre and exuberant double-bass playing of the Infamous Stringdusters’ Travis Book, who recently settled with his family in beautiful Brevard, North Carolina. Jon Stickley has become a favorite son of his hometown of Asheville, and the flat-picking genius is a no brainer for this esteemed get-together.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Written by Richard Oakley
Below photo by Marisa Muldoon
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