The Community Room at The Jacksonville Center means a lot of things to a lot of people. To quilting enthusiasts, it’s home to both the Old Church Gallery Quilters Guild bi-monthly meetings and samples of their meticulously-created fiber arts. To others, it’s the weekly meeting place of Sumati Goldberg’s Gentle Yoga Class. To still others, it’s a place to gather, snack and visit at the Jax’s Meet-the-Artists receptions.

The stage, built by board member, artisan-instructor, and talented wood artist Don George, hints at yet another role for this gabled space: intimate musical venue. (more…)

Having seen Cadillac Sky several times over the last few years, I can say it is exciting to see this band evolve. The first time I saw them (at FloydFest 2008) I was impressed with their energy and talent—but it wasn’t until a year later (at Kirk Ave. Music Hall) that I knew this was no ordinary bluegrass band.

By then, David “Mayhem” Mayfield had joined the group, adding what can only be described as a larger-than-life personality to the stage show—so much so that I wasn’t sure he’d ever really settle in. But after listening to their latest CD featuring a collaborative-writing effort, Letters in the Deep, and seeing the joy the band still takes in playing together, it’s clear that Mayfield is in C-Sky for good. (more…)

This week marks an anniversary for me and Cadillac Sky. It was at FloydFest in 2008 when I first saw the band. In the recap of the event then, I said this about the alt-bluegrass band: “I just had never heard of them and didn’t have the highest expectations. But this band blew me away. They could play the traditional stuff with great style and flair, but their originals were truly original, with some experimental instrumentation on occasion. And they were fun!”

And while the band was not back at FloydFest this weekend, the guys are in the area playing Roanoke’s Kirk Avenue Music Hall Thursday, July 29.  The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $20. (more…)

Raised in Switzerland, the Kruger Brothers will bring an international flavor to the Blue Ridge Music Center (milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway) on Saturday, July 31, when they join John Lilly and the Cheatin’ Hearts on the amphitheater stage.

Jens and Uwe Kruger have performed as an acoustic group worldwide for more than 30 years on guitar and banjo, embracing a wide range of styles. About a decade ago they were joined by bassist Joel Landsberg to form the acoustic trio known as the Kruger Brothers. (more…)

Name? The Packway Handle Band

Where are you based? Athens, Georgia

Where do you typically tour or perform? Throughout the Southeast year-round, though we have spent a lot of time touring throughout the rest of the country, particularly out West. Lately we’ve been starting to spend more time in the Northeast.

What’s your most recent CD? What Are We Gonna Do Now?
Who are your musical influences? Devo, The Pixies, Ralph Stanley, Hot Rize, Air, Leonard Cohen, Ween, Violent Femmes, Andrew Bird, The Louvin Brothers, Trailer Bride, Velvet Underground

Who are some musical acts that sound like you? Hackensaw Boys, Chatham County Line, Hot Rize

Why should I come see you at the festival? 1) To find out what a Packway Handle is; 2) because “things” happen at our shows that cannot be captured on recordings; 3) because we try to put on the kind of show that we would like to see.

When will you be playing? 5:30 on Thursday on the Main Stage

What are you most looking forward to about playing at FloydFest? Floydfest has a diverse lineup including many of the bands that we cross paths with throughout the year.  We look forward to catching up with old friends and seeing new acts we haven’t gotten the chance to see yet.

Name? The Two Man Gentlemen Band

Where are you based? New York City

Where do you typically tour or perform? We play nearly 200 dates per year all across the USA and occasionally in Europe, too.

What’s your most recent CD? Dos Amigos Una Fiesta, our sixth CD will be released in August on Serious Business Records. But we’ll have advance copies with us at the fest! And find our previous CDs online.

Who are your musical influences? The Jean Goldkette Orchestra and Slim & Slam.

Who are some musical acts that sound like you? A reviewer once described us as Leon Redbone on uppers. That sounded about right to us.

Why should I come see you at the festival? As far as I know, our act is the only “two-man hot vaudevillian swing spectacular” at the festival this year. And we’re certainly the only one playing early Sunday morning.

When will you be playing? 4 p.m. Saturday on the VIP stage; 10:45 a.m. Sunday in the Dance Tent.

What are you most looking forward to about playing at FloydFest? Being the best-dressed two-man band at the festival. We’ve set aside some lovely, and surprisingly cool, summer suits for the occasion.