Josiah
As a Virginia native Josiah has been writing and singing songs as far back as he can remember. His label, Mountain Rock Music Inc., reflects his love of country, patriotic, gospel, and rock 'n roll genres. Josiah was the Cash Box Independent Artist of the Year in 1991 with over 12 original songs placing in the top 100. Josiah is the owner and founder of GrahamFest. Don't miss his 'Mountain Rock Music Show' every Labor Day weekend. You will think Branson and Hollywood have come to southwest Virginia!
Confederate Railroad
Few acts have carved as distinctive a niche in modern musical history as Confederate Railroad. With their high-energy combination of honky-tonk rockers, sensitive ballads, and offbeat humor, they have created a unique identity that has brought them chart success, multi-platinum sales, and continued popularity as a road band. Versatility, likability, and a willingness to stretch boundaries are all part of the mix, but if there is a formula, not even they can put their finger on it.
Grasstowne
A phenomenal Blue Grass group….high charged, traditional music….a touch of the Appalachian Mountains and the Carolina Pines…
Wayne Henderson
Wayne Henderson's top-notch finger-picking is a source of great pleasure and pride to his friends, family, and neighbors in Grayson County, Virginia; his guitar playing has also been enjoyed at Carnegie Hall, in three national tours of "Masters of the Steel-String Guitar", and in seven nations in Asia. In addition to his reputation as a guitarist, Henderson is a luthier of great renown
Jeff Little
Jeff Little is a remarkable musician steeped in the tradition of his native blue ridge yet also a virtuosic and eclectic innovator. Jeff will tear the place apart with his quick articulate, rockabilly-boogie piano style. He is tricky and playful, yet always intelligent and richly melodic.
No Speed Limit
No Speed Limit came to be when banjo player, Stevie Barr started jamming with Jacob Eller on bass and 16 year old vocalist Amber Collins. They received such a great response from playing on the street during the Old Fiddler’s Convention in Galax; they decided to make their music their career. Later the band picked up the 2001 MerleFest National Guitar Champion Josh Pickett and mandolin player Ryan Blevins.
Anderson & Strickland
Gerald Anderson and Spencer Strickland play with an exuberance and joy that is infectious. Whether they are jamming in the sawdust of their instrument-making shop, at a local performance in Grayson County, Virginia, on a festival stage, or in the recording studio, Gerald and Spencer play from the heart and never hold back.
April Taylor
April Taylor takes her musical heritage seriously but when your great grandfather wrote songs with the world famous Carter Family, it just comes naturally. The Bristol, Tennessee native grew up surrounded by music. “All my life I have heard the stories about my great grandfather on my mother's side writing music with the Carter Family. They have always had a family bluegrass band that plays festivals, local events and every family gathering. My grandfather on my father's side of the family can play any instrument he picks up. One of my greatest childhood memories is sitting beside him as he taught me to play the guitar.” As a kid, April would spend hours listening to her father’s albums and singing along though she never took her own musical talents seriously. She was happy singing in her church and with her family, with the hopes of passing her rich musical heritage on to her own children.
The VW Boys
The VW Boys blend several different aspects of entertainment in their show. As banjo picker and singer Tim White says, " We entertain folks for an hour or so and help them forget their problems for a little while". These "folks" can be middle aged, senior citizens or children (of all ages). A good portion of the VW Boys show is audience participation. The VW Boys have a way of going beyond the edge of the stage to really get an audience involved in the show. Larry McPeak says, "We are as good as our audience, but we seem to always have great audiences!"
Frank Emerson
Accompanying himself on the guitar and occasionally on the Celtic drum called the bodhran, Frank – though hardly a strict traditionalist – embodies many of the traditions of the ancient bards, but with a more contemporary twist. A singer/songwriter, his performances are presented with aplomb, grace and good humor. Interspersed with varied insights into the background of the songs are stories, jokes and toasts, so that his appearances are informative as well as entertaining. His business card and stationary read “Music &c.” This means that he is much more than a songster. He is an entertainer!
The Harris Brothers
Two brothers who grew up playing music and singing in a musical family in the Foothills of NC are who make up The Harris Brothers. Reggie and Ryan play a wide range of music from Old Time String Band music to Blues, Country, Rock and nearly everything in between! Fans of the Harris Brothers will tell you that each performance is unique and exciting and there's something everyone will like.
Common Ground
CommonGround is Bristol Tennessee's finest party band. This talented 5 piece band is composed of three lead vocalists, guitar, bass, drums, percussion and a back-up vocalist. Having both male and female singers allows CommonGround to put on a high energy performance covering every musical style. CommonGround creates a highly engaging and interactive experience. We pride ourselves on our ability to read an audience in order to keep everyone dancing and having fun.
"Sharp Dressed Man"
the ZZ Top Tribute Band
Sharp Dressed Man is a hot trio that recreates the Texas boogie and hard rockin blues sound of that phenomenally popular lil ol' band from Texas - ZZ Top. Sharp Dressed Man replicates ZZ Top’s style with the long beards, the fancy clothes, the fuzzy guitars, and stage props. To make the show complete, they include the funny antics of Billy and Dusty, and the famous in-concert moves that make seeing the Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famers so memorable. That means that you will see a great show anytime you see Sharp Dressed Man.
David Stone's
"Johnny Cash Man In Black Show"
The mission of "DAVID STONE: The Johnny Cash Experience" is simple: We are an accurate, note-for-note, authentic representation of The Johnny Cash Show, without cheap "impersonation". Like the original BEATLEMANIA, the music and history of the legend is conveyed with dignity.
The Extraordinaires
Formed in the spring of 2003 from a group of guys who love The Classics/Rhythm & Blues, The Extraordinaires have put together a unique blend of music that is sure to get people out of their seats and on the dance floor. From the powerful kickin’ horns to the the smooth lead vocals, The Extraordinaires have a sound like no other that will keep you coming back.
Melissa Bowman
Melissa Bowman is an extraordinary artist whose soulful sound and heartfelt lyrics draw you in with a diverse array of talents ranging from vocals and guitar to violin. Her performance leaves you eager for more.
Whitetop Mountain
The Whitetop Mountain Band is a family-based band from the highest mountains of Virginia. Whitetop, Virginia is an area rich in the old time music tradition; this band has deep roots in mountain music. The members have done much to preserve the Whitetop region’s style of old time fiddling and banjo picking and are legendary musicians and teachers of the style.
Leslie Brooks and Thunder
This soul-edged country-blues singer/songwriter from Kentucky has found a new home.. Texas! Moving to Dallas in 1990, via Nashville, with a dozen or more published self-penned songs, Leslie soon broke into selective music venues and jingle production studios. Her true love, however, is writing songs and performing in her band with guitarist, Jerry Rosse.This versatile singer with a "voice like suede", as described by Grammy award writer, Sandy Knox possesses a wide vocal range filled with power, sensitivity, or playfulness
Helen White and the Hytone Hepcats
The Hytone Hepcats are a quiet,rich blend of deep musical talents. Helen White, Mark Rose, Tom Whittle, and Scott Fore
move with ease from 40s swing melodies to pop to old time folk ballads. They will put a smile on your face and a skip in
your walk at this year's GrahamFest!
Big Daddy Love
Bluesy bluegrass at its best, don’t miss this hip bunch from the Triad area of North Carolina!
Samra's Expressions
Samra has dedicated many years to the study of multicultural dances with the greatest masters around the world. Based from her southwest Virginia region studio she teaches classes and workshops across the world. Samra's exotic belly dancers and flame dancers are sure to dazzle GrahamFest audiences this year.
The Appalachian Hoedowners
The team has been performing since 1996 and in that time, has traveled extensively - performing at state and local fairs, festivals, theme parks and lots of other events in and around Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia and North Carolina.
A.J. Sapp and The Country Moon Band
GrahamFest '07 audiences were dazzled by the talents of A.J. Sapp as she blended her original songs with the beautiful harmonies of her sister Lorin Sourbeck. Don't miss A.J.'s contagious smiles and melodic tunes this Labor Day!
Fire In The Kitchen
The quartet of Fire In The Kitchen specializes in presenting lively Appalachian and Celtic music to its audiences. Instrumentation of the ensemble includes: Teddy Helton on guitar and bass, Tammy Martin on hammered dulcimer, Irish bodhran and vocals, Debbie Shrewsbury on classical and Irish flutes, Irish low whistles and pennywhistle, and Linda Waltner on fiddle and viola. Representing both Virginia and Tennessee members hail from Bristol, Abingdon, and Emory, VA and Jonesborough, TN.
Sunset Slim
“Sunset Slim is what you call a “Honky Tonk Man.” He’s a guitar pickin’, pool shootin’, poker playin,’ ramblin,’ gamblin’ man & he’s been doing it ever since he was a little boy.”
The Bluegrass Bus
“The bluegrass bus museum is a gathering place for many country and bluegrass music legends. Artists such as Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs have graced the bus with their presence. Marty Stuart and Ricky Skaggs have all enjoyed the bluegrass bus. Country legends ranging from Grandpa Jones to Dwight Yoakum have visited the museum. From coast to coast the bus has entertained people at thousands of musical venues, and has consistently been a draw for music fans, ranging from festivals in the lower 48 states to main stream musical events such as IBMA World of Bluegrass, SPBGMA, and Nashville Fan Fair.”
Bill and Maggie Anderson
“Bill & Maggie Anderson bring an old time duet with guitar and dobro: Story songs, Bluegrass, Gospel, and Americana music spiced with humor and audience appeal.”
Adam Peak
Son of Debbie Frye and Mike McPeak of Wytheville, Virginia, Adam comes from a long line of talented Bluegrass musicians. Adam will play mandolin for Josiah and his Little Angels singing contest winners as they sing “You Are My Sunshine”.
