Calm and Collective was influenced by many types of music. Ranging from reggae, blues, jazz, and twist of soul our music is our own and that's what makes us so original. Each of our members provide there own unique technique which gives us our musical magic.
A Shelby original.
website

Performance: Oct. 22nd @ The Arts Council, 9-9:45pm

Michael Reno Harrell is an award winning songwriter, as well as a veteran storyteller and entertainer, and he’s from the South… the Southern Appalachian Mountains to hone it a bit finer. One could compare Michael's performances to his granddaddy's pocket knife: well warn and familiar feeling, but razor sharp and with a point. His brand of entertainment appeals to a very diverse audience. Michael's recordings top the Americana Music Association charts year after year. His original songs and stories have been described as “Appalachian grit and wit” but, as his writing shows, Michael’s awareness is much broader than the bounds of his boyhood home or even the Southern Experience. Michael's natural knack for storytelling, in print, song and spoken word has earned him praise from not only the music community but from the literary and storytelling worlds as well, having had the honor of being a Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival and to be Teller In Residence at the International Storytelling Center, as well as performing at major music events like MerleFest and the Walnut Valley Festival. Along with his performances, Michael often conducts workshops in songwriting and storytelling as well.Michael's recordings have for years received and continue to garner awards in Country, Americana and Folk circles. His humor and wit, as well as the emotional depth of his work, keep his fan base growing and staying tuned in for whatever comes next. Don’t miss the chance to experience what those faithful fans keep returning again and again to enjoy. website

Performance: Oct. 22nd @ The Don Gibson Theatre, 1-1:45pm

Neil Cribbs began playing music at the age of five. He explored instruments such as violin, piano, trombone, and drums. Early in his life he primarily was influenced by symphonic music and groups from the 60s such as Cat Stevens, the Beatles, and James Taylor. At the age of sixteen he found his mother's guitar stashed away in the attic and decided to learn the ins and outs of the six strings hovering high above the fretboard. Immediately he began writing music of his own. As time progressed so did his influences. He began exploring the world of Alternative Country. Bands such as Whiskytown, Uncle Tupelo, Ryan Adams, Wilco, Sonvolt, Richard Buckner and the Old 97s paralleled with Joni Mitchell, Ani DiFranco, Beth Hart, John Prine, and Taj Mahal. After recording a small album entitled "35 Sound Start" in 2006 the press, almost immediately, sold out. In December of 2009 Neil released his first album "Marionette." Neil's newest release Windshield has been getting rave reviews and nominations!
website

Performance: Oct. 22nd @ The Don Gibson Theatre, 5:45-6:30pm

New Plowed Ground is steadily gaining credibility on the acoustic Americana music scene. From early country, bluegrass, folk, to old-time, NPG features finely crafted original songs and just plain "good for the soul" music.

Cover songs ranging from Hank Williams to Bruce Springsteen will warm your heart and get your toes to tapping. During a typical set you may hear a Tom T. Hall composition followed by a foot-stompin' mountain fiddle tune, or an Everly Brothers classic followed by a lonesome clawhammer banjo tune.

The NPG trio features Al Dunkleman on guitar, banjo, fiddle, harmonica and lead vocals; Karen Dunkleman on upright bass and vocals; and Dr. Bobby Jones on mandolin, guitar and vocals. With variety, vim and vigor, you won't be disappointed in the sound of New Plowed Ground.

Performance: Oct. 22nd @ The Gibson Theatre, 2-2:45pm

This folksy North Carolina group is the brainchild of Bob Crawford (the bassist for the Avett Brothers), though after listening to this CD it seems that it will surely become a wunderkind. How could it not? What with David Childers (former Modern Don Juans' vocalist and guitarist), his son Robert Childers, Randy Saxon, and Scott Dailey bringing their minds and instruments to the studio? This album features an audible feast: you will hear the sounds of trumpet, fiddle, cello, accordion, xylophone, marimba kalimba and, yes, even glockenspiel throughout these tracks.

The Overmountain Men borrowed their name from a group of colonial frontiersmen that fought in the 1780 Battle at Kings Mountain during the Revolutionary War. In fact, the group recorded ‘Glorious Day’ a few miles east of where the battle took place, and it's clear that the historical context influenced several of the tracks on the album, adding an emotional significance mediated effortlessly by these heartfelt Southern melodies. (Ramseur Records, 2010) — KNW  ‘Oxford American Editors' CD Picks, Sounds of September’

Art of Sound Performances will include Bill Noonan on bass and Geoff White on violin in addition to the members of the band on the original recording. website

Performane: Oct. 20th @ The Don Gibson Theatre, 8:45-9:30pm

Red June is a dynamic acoustic trio from Asheville, NC, performing beautifully distilled Americana music.  The Red June sound is as versatile and original as the musicians themselves; they touch on bluegrass, roots rock, and traditional country music with powerful harmonies, innovative songwriting and expert musicianship.  Veteran musicians Straughan, Miller and Weinstein formed Red June in 2008 after working in other acclaimed groups, namely the Emma Gibbs Band, Lo-Fi Breakdown and Polecat Creek.  Members of Red June have shared the stage with countless bluegrass and Americana greats such as James Taylor, Robert Earl Keen, Sam Bush, Joe Craven, Jim Lauderdale, Del McCoury, Alice Gerrard, Jim Shumate and B.B. King, and have performed at festivals across the country including RockyGrass, Grey Fox, Merlefest, Grand Targhee, MagnoliaFest and Shakori Hills. website

Performance: Oct. 21st @ The Don Gibson Theatre, 7-7:45pm

Sloantones was fashioned in Shelby, NC. in September 2008. After forming, guitarist Jonathan Sloan, bassist Kevin Newton and "previous drummer" began winning the crowd playing cover shows. Since 2008, Sloantones have played many cover shows with a wide selection of music from many genres. 

With the ability to play many genres and the aspiration of becoming original musicians, Jonathan and Kevin have worked hard choosing a musical route and writing music for that direction. The path that was chosen has a progressive bluegrass rock vibe with a dash of blues and funk.


Band Members
Jonathan Sloan – Guitar/Vocals, Steve Poteat - Guitar/Vocals, Jonathan Grigg - Drums,
Kevin Newton – Bass 

Performance: Oct. 20th @ The Don Gibson Theatre, 7:30-8:15pm

Drawing from a variety of musical experiences and influences this group is poised to make its mark on the Carolinas and beyond. The group's original offerings as well as fresh takes on Rock/Funk/Pop/Country standards are sure to get the crowd up on their feet and dancing. During a Southern Experience show you will experience flashes of everything from blues to funk to progressive rock all with just the right amount of Southern style.

Lead guitarist & vocalist J. T. Fitch, the keyboards, guitar, harmonica and vocals of Scott Sanders and the drums & percussion work of Jon Humphries drive this band with boundless energy and creativity. Veteran bassist Ron Humphries rounds out the lineup with solid melodic bass lines and years of experience. Ron's resume includes stints with Artimus Pyle, Steve Gunner (CCR), Billy Scott and other national artists. Southern Experience just completed an original EP appropriately titled Beginnings. website

Performance: Oct. 22nd @ The Outdoor Stage, 2:30-3:30pm

Hailing from a remote part of the Ozarks, The Cleverlys are a traditional family bluegrass band with a slightly skewed sense of the past, present and future.

A fan said "'If Dolly Parton, Earl Scruggs and Spinal Tap spawned a litter of puppies it would be the Cleverlys.'" If you can picture a bluegrass outfit wearing ill-fitting suits performing covers of Beyonce, Katy Perry, Black Eyed Peas, Shaggy and other modern pop and hip-hop artists, that's the Cleverlys. It's funny, but the music is actually good and even Harris (who goes by the name Digger Cleverly in the band) is surprised by how the act goes over. website

At the 2010 Art of Sound The  Constellations of Shelby NC opened for Ann Sexton and David Lee, and  performed some of their own original material. Returning this year for their ownfull show, the band includes original and second generation members:  Don Camp - guitar and harmonica, Phil Lovelace - sax, Chris Allen - guitar, Dennis McDowell - bass, Richard Putnam - keyboard, Donnie Camp - drums, and singers Brownie Guest, Butch Mitchell, Keith Allen - vocals. This is the modern day version of a homegrown 60's soul music outfit that traveled the circuit and opened doors for integrating white and black music and musicians in the process.

Performance: Oct. 20th @ The Arts Council, 9:30pm-10:30pm

Out of the ashes comes the beauty. The Rugs came together to revitalize the souls of their members as well as the fans. Playing original music and creating at breakneck speeds so theres always something new. The goal is to have fun and make a beautiful noise to please the masses.

Performance: Oct. 21st @ The Arts Council, 8:45-9:30pm

The Straight 8's have worked hard for over a decade to write, record, and perform music that resonates with listeners drawn to the raw energy embodied in traditional rock-a-billy music. While the band has earned a solid reputation for their live shows, it is the creative process that drives founding member Robert Striegler. With two full-length records of original material, the Straight 8's are clearly not content with being a glorified cover-band or nostalgia act. 

The success of the Straight 8's has been achieved by members past and present, including Robert Striegler, Mike Pratt, Matt Busch, Bernie Fox, Pat McGraw, Shawn “Lucky” Elbel, Daniel Mebane, and Mark Murphy. Each of these musicians has contributed to the band’s growth, and imprinted a strand of their musical DNA on the band’s sound. No doubt the band will continue to evolve going forward. Faced with the choice of “adapt or die”, The Straight 8's  choose “adapt and work harder”. website

Performance: Oct. 22nd @ The Don Gibson Theatre, 4:45-5:30pm

The Tater Family Travelling Circus arose from the ashes of Shelby, North Carolina's "Tater" in 2009. After a ten year run with Tater, singer and songwriter, Luke Edwards, was not ready to lay the Tater Family to rest, even though the band was gone. Instead, the songs that he had written throughout the Tater years were revamped and given new life through a new band. Luke hooked up with Corbett Richards on drums, and Jonathan Bowling on bass, and began performing as the Tater Family Travelling Circus. During their first year, the band performed with a revolving door of fourth members, most of which still perform with The Circus on occasion. Nick Patterson, Matt Miller,  John Fenwick, Thomas Pearson, and original Tater co-founder, John Burn, have frequently filled the fourth spot, and still sit in on shows when they can. It wasn't until the band played several shows with multi-instrumentalist, Ashley Conine, that they new they'd found that permanent fourth member. Ashley officially joined The Circus in October of 2010. Fans of Tater will still recognize the songs Luke penned with the band, even though The Circus presents them with a slightly different flavor. The "Hi-Test Hillbilly" sound is still there, only kicked up a notch with the addition of some electric guitars and Ashley's instantly recognizable harmonica stylings. With a new CD in the works, and their own festival, "The Tater Family Reunion" now a reality, The Circus is traveling forward full-speed ahead! Join The Family! Run off with The Circus! Catch a show to see what it's all about, and join the growing legions of Circus Freaks! We'll see you out there! Hawwwwwwww!
website

Performance: Oct. 21st @ The Arts Council, 10-10:45pm

Adam Tanner and Mark Jackson are The Twilite Broadcasters. Having come together in Weaverville, NC in late 2008, the duo continues the tradition of two part harmony vocals with acoustic instrument accompaniment once common in the southern United States. The fundamental components of lead and harmony vocal in tandem with guitar and mandolin are the seminal sounds that set the stage for a variety of American musical styles, including country, bluegrass, and rock n' roll. Adam and Mark bring new shadings to material ranging from folk ballads and parlor songs to early country music. website

Performance: Oct 21st @ The Don Gibson Theatre, 9:30-10:15pm