Jonathan Byrd

Location: R.A. Fountain

From our promo for this concet:

Jonathan Byrd is a Fayetteville native who now calls Chapel Hill home. He played in several rock and roll bands there and in the Navy. After an introduction to old-time music, what he calls a life-changing event, his interests shifted towards Southern traditional music. He subsequently won the 2003 Kerrville Folk Festival new artist award, where he has also returned as a featured performer annually since.

He and his band will also be featured at this year’s Festival for the Eno.

Byrd’s songs include the ballad “Velma,” about the last woman executed in North Carolina, Velma Barfield, whose victim was Byrd’s grandfather.

Byrd’s performances have drawn comparisons to those of a young Doc Watson. “He’s a fine flat-picker, very fast and articulate,” said Albright. “The same talent agency that brought us the Carolina Chocolate Drops is bringing him in.”

Folk legend Tom Paxton has said of Byrd, “What a treat it is to find someone so deeply rooted in tradition yet still growing in his own beautiful way.” Byrd’s fifth CD, This Is the New That, has just been released.

Byrd plays Fountain highly recommended by Lightnin’ Wells. “He really deserves a lot more recognition around here than he’s gotten,” said Wells. “He’s got a lot bigger following outside of North Carolina than he has in his own home state.”

Tags: alt country, alt-Americana, Concert, country, original