Asheville live music best bets: Stringdusters, Missy Raines, Mountain Jam, more

One of progressive bluegrass’s top acts, The Infamous Stringdusters, return to Asheville with a 7 p.m. show Sept. 30 at Salvage Station.

The Grammy-winning group, which formed 16 years ago, recently released a new album, titled “Toward The Fray.”

On its website, the band described the new music as “the beginning of a new chapter in our journey as a band. … Maybe this is just a first step in this new direction, and we are certainly not claiming to have all the answers -- after all, the irony of growth is that there is a humility in it. But as we gain a sense of awareness and responsibility, we want to do everything we can to honor that and do some good in the world. That's what this album is all about.”

The band is made up of Andy Hall (dobro), Chris Pandolfi (banjo), Andy Falco (guitar), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle) and Brevard resident Travis Book (bass).

Book stayed particularly busy locally during the pandemic, as he hosted the Travis Book Happy Hour at The Grey Eagle where he would talk to musicians and perform with them.

Sierra Hull will open the show.

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Multi-award-winning bassist in town

If you want to listen to one of bluegrass music’s most acclaimed bassists, she’s coming to Isis Music Hall.

Missy Raines has won 10 International Bluegrass Music Awards for Bass Player of the Year, more than any other bassist.

She’s also a singer and songwriter and will showcase all of her skills during a 7:30 p.m. performance Oct. 2 at the venue.

Raines’ most recent album, 2018’s “Royal Traveler,” was nominated for a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album.

Local festival

Twelve bands over three days in an idyllic setting is the plan for the Carolina Mountain Jam. This event, which begins Sept. 30 and runs through Oct. 2, is planned for Deerfields Retreat in Horse Shoe, which is outside of Mills River.

One of the highlights of the weekend will be local favorites Travers Brothership performing a set of Allman Brothers music with friends, including drummer Jeff Sipe (Leftover Salmon, Aquarium Rescue Unit) and guitarist Mike Barnes (Derek Trucks, John Scofield).

Sipe will also perform with the Jeff Sipe Trio and Jeff Sipe’s Electrict Buddah during the event. Also on the bill are Brushfire Stankgrass, Dirt Dead, JGBCB, Red Clay Revival, Rebekah Todd, Copperhead, Bald Mountain Boys, the Snozzberries, and the Tuesday Night Funk Jam House Band.

Louisiana-born songwriter plays local brewery

Dylan LeBlanc has made Asheville a consistent stop on his tours over the years.

When the singer-songwriter performs at 7 p.m. on Oct. 1 at French Broad River Brewery, he will have a new batch of songs to perform.

LeBlanc recently released “Renegade,” a more rock and roll effort than his past albums. His new music was produced by Grammy winner Dave Cobb and recorded in just 10 days.

“I like the idea of a renegade -- branching off from society or from the structure of the way our world is designed,” he said in a press release about “Renegade.” “It felt right to call it that. I wanted to write about the crueler, nasty aspects of the world and life.”  The new music, according to the release, is more of a departure for LeBlanc, as he primarily played electric guitar in the studio instead of acoustic guitar.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville live music: Stringdusters, Missy Raines, Mountain Jam, more