Red June, the lively roots/Americana trio from the musical hotbed of Asheville, NC, makes welcome a return visit to the Mainstay in Rock Hall, MD on Saturday June 23 at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $15. For information and reservations call 410-639-9133. Information is also available at the Mainstay’s website.
Red June is an acoustic trio based in Asheville, NC who creates and performs beautifully distilled Americana music. They brought down the house last summer at the Mainstay with their dynamic, yet refined sound – striking 3-part harmonies, tasteful yet powerful instrumental work and honest, intriguing songwriting that seamlessly blends old-time, bluegrass, roots rock, gospel and traditional country music.
They just released their second full-length album, “Beauty Will Come”, on June 5th, and already it is garnering rave reviews throughout the Indie press.
Mike Greenblatt of “Rant ‘n’ Roll Aquarian Weekly” said “’Beauty Will Come’ by Red June just may be the most stunningly gorgeous country album in years. Everything about it: from the exquisite three-part harmonies and acoustic loveliness of the mandolin, fiddle, guitar and upright bass…to the compositional prowess extolling home and hearth, family and true love ways. It’s natural, organic fresh air cool mountain stream music that strikes the right chord. It’s music meant to be played on the back porch at sundown while the coffee’s a ‘brewin’ and the soup is heatin’ up. This is the epitome of Americana…”
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. In writing of that release, Chris Mateer wrote in the alt-country magazine “No Depression,” “For those who seek well-crafted songwriting and impeccable musicianship, you just can’t go wrong with the acoustic instrumentation and powerful harmonies of Red June’s “Remember Me Well”. It’s an exciting debut from a collective of outstanding performers.”
Will Straughan is the most well-traveled member of Red June, having 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. Veteran 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 but it’s when he steps up to the mic that 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.”
The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), non profit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region. It is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Wine, beer, sodas and snacks are available at the bar.
The Mainstay is supported by ticket sales, fundraising including donations from friends and audience members and an operating grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.
For information and reservations call the Mainstay at 410-639-9133. More information is also available at the Mainstay’s website.
Upcoming Mainstay performances include:
June 29 Byron Stripling with the Chuck Redd Quartet
July 6 The Seldom Scene
July 14 Buskin & Batteau
July 21 Rôles de Dame
July 28 Calico Jack
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