Wilkesboro, NC – June 4, 2019 ––The fifth annual Carolina In The Fall™ Music and Food Festival continues its’ tradition of celebrating the heritage of western North Carolina through music, food and beverage. On September 20th and 21st, 2019, musicians, chefs, vintners and craft beer brewers from the region will gather on Main Street in Wilkesboro, NC to engage audiences with the best of their craft.
Wilkes County’s own The Kruger Brothers will be the Festival hosts again and welcome some of North Carolina’s best Folk/ Roots music bands. They will be joined by bands from other regions that tip their hats to the rich musical history of Wilkes, the Heart of American Folk Music™. This year’s line-up includes previously announced headliners The Kruger Brothers, Balsam Range, Chatham County Line, Baucom and Jones and Presley Barker. Additional acts being announced include The Black Lillies, EmiSunshine, Hawktail, Scott Mulvahill, The Contenders, Cicada Rhythm, Zoe and Cloyd, Newberry and Verch, and many others. Over 30 bands will be on hand to bring the very best in Roots, Americana and Bluegrass music. The entire CITF Line-up is available at www.carolinainthefall.org.
The Black Lillies
Back by popular demand at Carolina in the Fall Music and Food Festival is The Black Lillies. They will be closing out Friday evening’s new “Late Night Show”. Four men. Four friends. Four artists, each of whom could rightly put out a solo record tomorrow, tied together by a bond to something that’s greater than the sum of its parts. “Going from a six-piece to a four-piece, it’s given these guys space to shine and grow and evolve, and the chemistry has gotten better,” says Contreras, who in another life was the mandolin-shredding bandleader of Robinella and the CCstringband, once signed to both the Columbia and Dualtone labels. “These guys have become not just sidemen or guns for hire; they’re invested. Their opinions count, and their creativity is as much a part of this record as mine. There are songs that I wrote; that Sam Quinn (a veteran of the Americana group The Everybodyfields) wrote; that we wrote in any combination and all of us together.”
EmiSunshine
It is nearly impossible to explain the exceptional talents of EmiSunshine, the 14-year-old prodigy from East Tennessee who has captured the nation’s attention and enchanted hearts-a-many with her musical wizardry. Born Emilie Sunshine Hamilton, the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has been surrounded by family members who possess a genuine love for “salt-of-the-earth,” mountain melodies and lyrics. Emi embraced the classic country, blues and folk music that echoed throughout her Madisonville, TN home.
Emi’s indescribable and inexplicable talents have taken the world by surprise. The witty songwriter self-produces all of her music (live and in the studio). Emi plays a wailing guitar; she can make the mandolin cry and the ukulele sing. Her ability to combine her youthful, bubbly disposition with deep, meaningful and rather dark song content brings her imagination to life. While her music has been described as “old-timey,” she adds her own unique, contemporary blend of roots music that is equal parts Americana, Bluegrass, Gospel, and Country, with a sprinkle of Blues and a whole lot of “shock factor.” Described as a “modern-day Janis Joplin,” she delivers vivid emotion with every spine-chilling, spirited yet haunting note.
Hawktail
Haas, Kowert, Tice brought on mandolinist Dominick Leslie to form Hawktail. Music fans will recognize the group from their various other outfits and truly enjoy this unique instrumental offering (Brittany Hass from Crooked Still, Paul Kowert from Punch Brothers, Jordan Tice and Dominick Leslie).
“While they are well versed in the old-time traditions, their music is fresh, lively, and consequential. In other words, they are not imitators or replicators. As I said of them in my AmericanaFest wrap-up: ‘Without a doubt their set was my favorite of the week, a labyrinthine of complex yet accessible acoustic music that had me in a trance.’” — No Depression
Scott Mulvahill
Frontman. Singer-songwriter. World-renowned upright bassist. Multi-instrumentalist. For the past decade, Scott Mulvahill has left his unique mark on the intersecting worlds of Americana, bluegrass, folk, jazz, rock & roll and roots music. Already acclaimed for his work alongside icons like Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby, he turns a new page with Himalayas, a versatile solo album that celebrates the full spread of his abilities.
The Contenders
Thrumming and heady, with a steady heartbeat and a hint of honky-tonk, The Contenders speak of wanderers and highways, lovers and losers, good times and missed chances, swimming pools and movie stars, all with a ferocity born of hard work and honed skill. Jay Nash and Josh Day (of Wilkesboro) have been players and poets for the better part of two decades; they have been making music, telling tales, drinking whiskey, and having fun touring together as The Contenders since 2012. Faithful disciples of Rock ’n’ Roll and musician’s musicians both, Nash and Day have given a big stage to their talents and drives with this debut EP, so pour a good glass, give a nod to your betters, and meet The Contenders.
For a complete listing of all bands and performers, visit www.carolinainthefall.org.
On Saturday Evening, the Kruger Brothers will host the Carolina Jam™ at the Yadkin Valley Event Center at the Wilkesboro Holiday Inn Express. Artists will come together to present once in a lifetime, unforgettable jam sessions. Last year’s Jams were the talk of the festival and beyond. These sessions are available to those that purchase a VIP ticket.
In addition to great music, those that attend the festival will enjoy some of North Carolina’s best food as food trucks from across the state will bring their amazing recipes to feed the masses and vie for the coveted Carolina in the Fall™ Food Truck Championship Award. If you have a grown-up thirst, local vineyards and regional craft beer breweries will be onsite to provide a taste of the region’s best adult beverages. The 4th Annual Chad Lovette Memorial Run will once again raise funds for the American Cancer Society. In its’ previous three years, over $20,000 has been raised through sponsorships and participants. Also, the 3rd Annual Bobby Martin Young Songwriters Competition will bring together some of the nations best young songwriters. Always a crowd favorite, these young folks bring their passion for music to the stages of CITF.
In its’ fifth year, Carolina in the Fall has become an annual pilgrimage for music and food lovers from around the nation, Carolina in the Fall™ is held the third weekend of September each year. Save the date and make the annual pilgrimage to Wilkes, the Heart of American Folk Music.
Local accommodations consist of campgrounds and area hotels. The Town of Wilkesboro is opening up the Sewerfest Campground for the Carolina in the Fall™ festival. Contact them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve your campsite or click the link on the festival website.
Make plans now to be in Wilkesboro on September 20th and 21st to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season of Carolina in the Fall™. Festival tickets are available at www.carolinainthefall.org. Round Two pricing began on June 4th and is as follows: Single Day pass $40.00, Two Day pass $60.00. The VIP package that includes reserved seating for both days and the evening jam session is $130.00. Round Three pricing will begin August 1st.
Carolina in the Fall Music and Food Festival™ is made possible through the partnership of the Kruger Brothers, Heart of Folk, LLC and the Town of Wilkesboro.