Live Music This Weekend: Sandy Herrault, violinist? Fiddler? It’s all good music when she plays
I’ve never met Sandy Herrault or heard her play the violin/fiddle, but she’s on my short list of musicians to check out.
More and more often I see Sandy’s name pop at local wineries and breweries. It’s pronounced “her-rait” - “No fancy French rolling rs needed,” she said.
I’ve often wondered if people like to hear a solo violinist play classic rock and country. I’ve imagined myself sitting on a sun-drenched patio overlooking the fall colors of the Blue Ridge Mountains with a glass of Chardonnay in hand listening to Dolly Parton’s Jolene.
But instead of a twangy soprano voice lamenting about losing her man, I hear Sandy’s violin. Where there are usually words, there are now strings - and I like it. I and more than 10,000 other Youtube voyeurs like it, too.
Sandy has about 50 Youtube clips, spanning the past 10 years and covering music from nearly every genre you can imagine: rock, Gypsy, Celtic, country, high classical, the Beatles and Bob Marley.
“This might be a lot like drinking beer; I didn’t like it for the longest time, but it's a recently acquired taste,” she said. “Maybe some other genre will interest me in the future.”
You can catch her live this Saturday at Burntshirt Vineyards.
“It’s been by chance that I’m playing more in Hendersonville, maybe because there’s so many good venues,” she said. “While I was living in Charlotte, I started coming here often, and one of the first places I played was in Hendersonville at Burntshirt Vineyards. I was also a regular at the Jack of the Wood Irish session (in Asheville).”
Although Sandy studied classical music for violin performance, she has expanded her musical scope by working with other musicians, “some really talented people, particularly in the regionally known band Celtic Soul, which I helped start,” she added.
She’s one of those rare musicians who is comfortable and talented enough to play Pachelbel’s Cannon in D at a wedding and then knock ‘em dead with her version of Ben E.. King’s "Stand by Me" at the reception.
“I love all of it: Vivaldi, a good jig, Lynyrd Skynyrd, etc…. I’ve performed in classical settings, with a progressive Celtic band and a Dave Matthews cover band. In truth, the day I discovered Bob Marley I never considered being solely classical again.
“Popular music reaches me with lyrics and creative melody. I hear some of the lyrics in my head when I’m performing. I don’t know all of them, that would be crazy ingenious! The songs remind me that we are all in this life together — our experiences and needs are so similar.”
As you expect, people are often unprepared to be entertained by a soloist violinist.
“My show is a surprise to most, because I cover music from the ‘60s to current songs. And I’ve created backing tracks, so it’s like I’ve got a band. My latest cover is 'Love Nwantiti' by Ckay. It’s passionate, energetic fun.”
Sandy recently relocated from Charlotte to Asheville and is still beating the bushes for gigs.
“I don’t think a lot of people know me yet,” she said. “But I love Hendersonville! I’m now playing at a few different venues in Hendersonville, and 2022 is looking good."
In addition to performing, Sandy teaches violin, writes music and has written teaching books.
“It’s a quirky thing, the way new skills develop. I do write music and lots of it. I didn’t write music at first: I didn’t know I could do it. It’s the same with art; it’s a totally new skill I’ve been able to develop. If there’s any thought I want to convey, it’s to encourage trying new things, and to keep working at it. I’ve written numerous books for violinists that I’ve published online, and scores I’ve composed that should be in movies someday. I’m a big thinker!”
When it comes to Sandy’s personal and public lives, she says: “This is where the violin comes in handy; it lets me speak without words. There’s a lot of songs that I can relate to; starting a new phase and a lot of unexpected changes.
"In the kid department, I’ve got four lovely adult children, and I’m proud of them. I love life and music, and I want to share that vibe with everyone. I want people to have a good time at my shows, and enjoy the moment.
"It’s a journey, and I’ll go on it, and take you too! And when we come down, we’ll feel like we went on vacation!”
Sandy has a great website (SandyTheViolinist.com), a cool Facebook page and a lot of clips on YouTube. Check her out. Maybe I'll see you at Burntshirt this Saturday when she plays in Hendo again.
1898 Waverly Inn
783 N. Main St., Hendersonville
Friday, Nov. 19, 1-4 p.m., Avett Pre-party with Letters to Abigail, acoustic duo, Americana, $25
Appalachian Ridge Artisan Hard Cider
749 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville
Saturday, Nov. 20, 3-6 p.m., Brian Ashley Jones, soulful singer, acclaimed guitarist, country, blues
Sunday, Nov. 21, 2:30-5:30 p.m., Collin Cheek, covers, originals, singer, guitarist
Bold Rock Hard Cider
72 School House Rd., Mills River
Saturday, Nov. 20, 6 p.m., Gin Mill Pickers, Asheville-based Randy Sarton and Eric Ellis, retro-fitted folk/rag, Americana, Piedmont blues, semi-unplugged
Burntshirt Vineyards
2695 Sugarloaf Rd., Hendersonville
Saturday, Nov. 20, 2-5 p.m., Sandy Herrault, Asheville-based violinist and fiddler, pop, rock, Celtic, original music, Gypsy
Sunday, Nov. 21, 2-5 p.m., Roots & Dore, American blues, soul, rock, Asheville-based
Continuum ART
147 Suite C, 1st Ave. E., Hendersonville
Thursday, Nov. 18, 6:30 p.m., David Childers and the Serpents, rock, folk, county, original music; The Gathering Dark opens, $22
Dry Falls Brewery
425 Kanuga Rd., Hendersonville
Friday, Nov. 19, 7-10 p.m., Stipe Brothers, young dads playing covers
Saturday, Nov. 20, 7-10 p.m., The New Rustics, Asheville-based, Americana, rock, country, twist on classics
Guidon Brewing Co.
415 8th Ave. E., Hendersonville
Friday, Nov. 19, 7-9 p.m., Mike Pauer, guitarist
Saturday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m., Bob Keel, singer, songwriter, guitarist, original songs, storyteller
Hendersonville Farmers Market
650 Maple St., Hendersonville
Saturday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Fiddlin’ Ryn and Friends, bluegrass, old-time
Hendersonville Presbyterian Church
699 N. Grove St., Hendersonville
Sunday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m., Lynn Goldsmith & The Jeter Mountain Band, bluegrass
Lake Pointe Landing
333 Thompson St., Hendersonville
Friday, Nov. 19, 2 p.m., Marilynn Seits & Sean McAusland, piano, bass guitar, dance music, Cha cha, Tango, Fox Trot, Lindy Hop
Mills River Brewing Co.
336 Banner Farm Rd., Mills River
Friday, Nov. 19, 7-10 p.m., Peggy Ratusz and Jonathan Pearlman, acoustic blues and rock
Saturday, Nov. 20, 2-5 p.m., The Mug Band, energetic mix of original and classic roots rock and blues rock
Sunday, Nov. 21, 2-5 p.m., Drew Matulich & Friends, bluegrass
Oklawaha Brewing Company
147 1st Ave. E. Hendersonville
Thursday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m., Kid Billy (Billy Litz), Americana, blues, ragtime, multi-instrumentalist
Friday, Nov. 19, 8-11p.m., Razzle, five guys playing high-energy tunes, from Motown to funk to ‘90s rock
Saturday, Nov. 20, 8 p.m., Eric Congdon & the CircuitBreakers, rock ‘n’ roll salvation
Packa’s Place
4210 Brevard Rd., Horse Shoe
Sunday, Nov. 21, 3-6 p.m., Seth & Sara, husband and wife, originals, covers, rootsy
Point Lookout Vineyards
408 Appleola Rd., Hendersonville
Friday, Nov. 19, 6-9 p.m., Scoundrel’s Lounge, three-piece rock and blues band, originals and covers, danceable
Sunday, Nov. 21, 2-5 p.m., The JackTown Ramblers, quartet, bluegrass, swing, Gypsy jazz, acoustic band
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
588 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville
Saturday, Nov. 20, 3-6 p.m., Alex Hunnicutt, blues, jazz, soul, funk, singer, guitarist, originals
Sunday, Nov. 21, 2-5 p.m., Ken & Nicole, singers, guitarist, ukulele, covers, rock, pop, country, folk, Americana
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
2698 C Greenville Hwy., Flat Rock
Sunday, Nov. 21, 2:30 p.m., Myron Hyman, soloist, singer, guitarist, covers
Sierra Nevada Mills River
100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River
Saturday, Nov. 20, 2-5 p.m., Brian Felix-Evan Martin Duo, keyboard and drums, jazz, funk, Latin, Reggae
Sunday, Nov. 21, 2-5 p.m., Geoff Happel, singer, songwriter, guitarist, Candler-based, soul, indie, rock, jazz, funk
Southern Appalachian Brewery
822 Locust St., Ste. 100, Hendersonville
Thursday, Nov. 18, 6-8 p.m., Eric Congdon, WNC guitarist extraordinaire
Friday, Nov. 19, 6-8 p.m., Pleasure Chest, blues, rock, soul
Saturday, Nov. 20, 6-8 p.m., The Peggy Ratusz Trio, with Jonathan Pearlman and Jonathan Price, blues, swing, sould, Motown, rock
Sunday, Nov. 21, 3-5 p.m., Bill Loftus, Donald Yelton, and Michael “Country” Carver, blues
South Rock Sports Grill
830 Greenville Hwy., Hendersonville
Saturday, Nov. 20, 8 p.m.-midnight, Fine Line, rock band
The 2nd Act Coffee, Wine and Craft Beer Bar
101 E. Allen St., Hendersonville
Thursday, Nov. 18, 7-9 p.m., Russ Wilson & The 2nd Oct Orchestra, 10-piece band playing swing, danceable
Friday, Nov. 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Seth Brand, covers and originals, singer, songwriter, Americana, rock, pop, country
Saturday, Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m., The Baggage Brothers, acoustic duo, Scott Moss and Derek McCoy, singers, guitarists
The Dugout Sports Bar & Taphouse
430 N. Main St., Hendersonville
Thursday, Nov. 18, 8 p.m.-midnight, open jam
Friday, Nov. 19, 8 p.m.-midnight, Sinder Ella, classic and southern rock, covers, Asheville-based
Saturday, Nov. 20, 8-midnight p.m., Twisted Trail, rock, southern rock, blues, country
The Greenhouse Moto Cafe
4021 Haywood Rd. (Highway 191) Mills River
Friday, Nov. 19, 8 p.m., Leading to Follow, Hendo-based, four friends rock band, originals
Saturday, Nov. 20, 7-10 p.m., The Queue, covers, dance, top 40, pop
The Poe House
105 1st Ave. W., Hendersonville
Friday, Nov. 19, 7-10 p.m., Howie Johnson, singer, guitarist, rocker, Hendo based
Saturday, Nov. 20, 7-10 p.m., Mr. Jimmy, Chicago-style blues, guitarist, singer, songwriter
Triskelion Brewing Company
340 7th Ave. E., Hendersonville
Saturday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m., trio, indie, alternative, Reggae
Want to be included in “Live Music?” Send your information via email to Steve Wong at Just4Wong@Gmail.com by Monday at 8 a.m. for the coming Thursday-Sunday. Don’t forget to send details on your performing artist along with a good high-resolution photo.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Live Music: Sandy Herrault, violinist? Fiddler? It’s all good music when she plays
