Red June, the powerful acoustic roots/Americana trio Asheville, NC, makes welcome a return visit to the Mainstay in Rock Hall, MD on Saturday June 29 at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $19. For information and reservations call the Mainstay at 410-639-9133. Information is also available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.
Red June creates and performs beautifully distilled American music with deep roots. Their sound is dynamic, yet refined with stunning 3-part harmonies, powerful instrumentals and honest, intriguing songwriting that seamlessly blends old-time, bluegrass, roots rock, gospel and traditional country music.
Red June is Will Straughan on resonator guitar, guitar and vocals, John Cloyd Miller on mandolin, guitar and vocals, and Natalya Weinstein on fiddle and vocals. The three have been longtime friends, and first jammed together at a pickin’ party in Asheville in 2005. In late 2008 they formed Red June, named for an heirloom apple variety. They have strong roots in the Appalachian tradition and yet consistently explore new musical ground.
Their debut album, “Remember Me Well” released in 2010, was very well received, and was voted the #1 regional release of 2010 by the listeners of the southeast’s premier independent radio station, WNCW. Their second recording, “Beauty Will Come” was released in June 2012 and received rave reviews.
Will Straughan toured extensively across the US and Europe with the Emma Gibbs Band and other collaborations. His compelling, direct vocals practically demand that the listener take notice, and then the honesty takes hold and simply won’t let go. His inventive songwriting has won him numerous accolades from across the Americana spectrum and his tasteful resonator guitar playing and vocal abilities have made him a sought after sideman both on stage and in the studio.
Natalya Weinstein is a champion fiddler hailing from a long line of exceptional musicians. Her father is a master jazz pianist and her grandfather was a professional klezmer musician. After gaining a foundation in classical violin in her home state of Massachusetts, she moved to Asheville in 2004 to pursue bluegrass and old-time music. She is a highly sought after session musician and music instructor. She contributes her celebrated fiddling and her pure harmony vocals to Red June. Noted bluegrass fiddler Chris Brashear had this to say about her: “Natalya is a fantastic fiddler; full of invention and rhythmic intensity.”
John Cloyd Miller is the grandson of pioneering bluegrass fiddler and NC Folk Heritage Award winner Jim Shumate. His foundation in traditional bluegrass and old-time music coupled with his modern sensibility and inspired songwriting make him a natural. He recently won the bluegrass division of the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest with his song “Cloud of Dust.” Past winners include Gillian Welch and Tift Merritt. When Miller steps up to the mic, his real talent shines. Legendary performer Riley Baugus of “Cold Mountain” fame said, “John Miller’s singing reminds me of being in the Blue Ridge Mountains, high on a hill all alone and hearing the sound of the mountains coming from all around… His voice is strong and pure and harkens back to a time when there was no need for electronic enhancement and tuning adjustments. In short, John’s singing is the real thing and is just incredible.”
Red June is planning to record their next album later this year and will bring many new tunes as well as some old favorites with them to the Mainstay.
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