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For Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms, country music is soul music. Just as soul music resonates the mind, body, and spirit with powerful rhythms and expressive vocals, so too does the reflective storytelling and crooning country music on their latest record, Gold In Your Pocket. Blending classic country, bluegrass, old-time, and Cajun influences, Caleb & Reeb offer a refreshing departure from the often sorrowful themes found in traditional music. In fact, love–particularly remembering, giving, and receiving it–is the thematic glue connecting all 13 tracks. Celebrated for their charismatic performances and deeply-rooted musical style, the duo’s pared-down approach is supplemented by pedal steel and electric guitar, channeling classic country duos of old. Legendary Cajun musician and engineer Joel Savoy, along with Nashville session savant Chris Scruggs, added tasteful performances to Gold In Your Pocket at sessions in Louisiana and Nashville. As a vocally-led band, Caleb & Reeb focus on the art of harmony, capturing listeners with the joy of telling a universal story through song.
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Fog Holler (Fri/Sat)
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Fog Holler is a bluegrass band with an edge. What gives them that edge is a topic of hot debate. For some, it’s musicianship - these bluegrass cats shred. For others, it’s the songwriting, traditional in style but topical in substance. Sometimes, they undeniably snare people with the squad factor - folks see 4 grown adults in matching monochrome, and they get curious. The secret, according to Fog Holler, is simply that they write and play bluegrass in 2024, with similar intention but very different context from the genre’s originators. Inspired by a range of influences from The Stanley Brothers to Buck Owens to Meshuggah, Fog Holler breathes fresh life into well worn forms like the murder ballad and the power waltz. Described by two-time Grammy Award Winner Cathy Fink as “The next generation of the many shades of grass”,
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Hailing from the hills of Western North Carolina, Darin Gentry is the embodiment of traditional Appalachian music rooted firmly in the old time masters on fiddle and banjo. Listening to Darin, you are immediately transported to another era and mesmerized by his soulful renditions of the music on which he was raised. From a deeply musical family, Darin is steeped in the traditions from hearing the playing of his grandparents and great grandfather, whose banjo he still plays today. Whether its old time, bluegrass, honky tonk or country, Darin is not confined to one style of playing. Equally adept at fiddle, clawhammer banjo, bass and guitar, Darin was mentored early on by the legendary West Virginia musician Dwight Diller who claimed that Darin is “in my opinion one of the best under-thirty clawhammer banjo players today.” With the addition of Joe Ellingson to the trio of Darin, Dale and Suzanne Adkins, DG's Old Time Machine kicks everything up a notch with a solid old time groove, killer vocal harmonies, with a little bit of swing, honkytonk and bluegrass thrown in to make it even more fun.
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Deeply rooted in the Northwest Bluegrass scene, the Bluegrass Regulators have been a hard driving, tasteful force in music since 2010. After a few years of pursuing other endeavors, the group is back in full force with dynamic arrangements, skillful instrumentation, and rock solid harmonies. Members Jake Dewhirst and Luke Dewhirst each possess prestigious awards in their respective instrument categories. Josh Adkins and Martin Stevens can be recognized in many bluegrass configurations over the years including “True North” and “Midnight 45”. Molly Dewhirst completes the group with melodic harmonies and lead vocals that blend hard driving bluegrass with a tasteful, artistic flair. You don’t want to miss this captivating, tight knit group of elite musicians.
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Linda Leavitt & Tom Nechville (Sat)
Tom & Linda explore the world of bluegrass and country songs, and play a mix of originals and new discoveries that stay in your heart. When friends join them on their journey, they become The Expedition.
FOSSILGRASS (Fri)
One of our favorite things to do at Fossil is put together a group from the mix of workshop folks teaching at the festival. Performing just one show on Friday, you don't want to miss this supergroup of veteran performers and top notch instrumentalists and vocalists that we've dubbed "Fossilgrass".
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DOUBLE WIDE, a fun and folksy Americana duo based in Sisters, Oregon consisting of husband and wife team Sue and Rick Moore. Sue plays guitar, bass, and fiddle. Rick plays mandolin, guitar, and mandola. They weave their original music and cover tunes together with lots of traditional and soulful harmonies, and darn good pickin’. |
DAN ROBINSON (Fri)
No Wheeler County Festival would be complete without the classic western swing sounds of Dan Robinson. We love this group every year. And if Dan's musical talent wasn't enough, he is also a talented painter who generously produces Festival artwork and posters every year. Formerly dubbed the Wheeler County Ramblers, Dan has renamed the band to honor former bass player, Gene, who passed away earlier this year.
Carol, Dana, and Laura, former members of Misty River, will be hosting the “Slow Jam” Workshop, scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the shaded backyard of the Hyatt House. The workshop has become a cornerstone of the festival, beloved by beginners and seasoned musicians alike. It fosters a shared appreciation for the rich traditions of Bluegrass and Old-Time music while encouraging participants to explore their own musical creativity. Attendees often remark on the camaraderie and sense of community that the slow jam inspires, making it a highlight of the event year after year.
Jay Bowerman continually emphasizes the importance of making the festival family-oriented, offering educational workshops for all ages. Jay’s mother, Barbara, wanted the event to be FREE and funded it till her death in 2010. At the slow jam, participants will receive a spiral-bound book of songs and other useful documents. All acoustic instruments are welcome.
Jay Bowerman continually emphasizes the importance of making the festival family-oriented, offering educational workshops for all ages. Jay’s mother, Barbara, wanted the event to be FREE and funded it till her death in 2010. At the slow jam, participants will receive a spiral-bound book of songs and other useful documents. All acoustic instruments are welcome.