If you’re looking for a way to get your holiday weekend off to an explosive start, some live music in Roanoke might be just the ticket.

Cadillac Sky, an eclectic and dynamic bluegrass band from Texas, is making another appearance in the area after their performance at FloydFest in July of 2008. They will be playing at the Kirk Avenue Music Hall in Roanoke on July 3. Nashville-based bluegrass band  The Farewell Drifters will open the show. (The Farewell Drifters were a guest in the New River Voice-sponsored WVRU radio show The Listening Room back in December. Click here to hear that 30-minute show!)

Cadillac Sky is comprised of five musicians, Bryan Simpson on mandolin, Andy “The Panda” Moritz on bass guitar, Ross Holmes on fiddle, David Mayfield on guitar, and Matt Menefee on vanjo. Simpson, Moritz, and Holmes also contribute to the vocals.

Cadillac Sky was formed in 2002, and has already released a couple albums. They also have recently released their Weary Angel EP. They have been involved in several tours around the country and have played with bands as diverse as The Avett Brothers and The Black Keys.

The band offers an energetic live performance complete with lots of original tunes as well as some interesting covers to keep the crowd jumping.

The show featuring The Farewell Drifters and Cadillac Sky at Kirk Avenue Music Hall is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $20.

Rachel Shapiro is an intern for the New River Voice.