Performances to look forward to at the 2023 Homegrown Music Fest

The North Carolina State Fair has many free entertainment options that are perfect for anyone, no matter the musical preference. The Homegrown Music Fest at the North Carolina State Fair is a free event that showcases the best of North Carolina music. It features over 100 acts on two stages over the length of the Fair. Artists are from a wide range of genres, including rock, country, bluegrass, blues, jazz, and hip hop. The Homegrown Music Fest is a great way to discover new music and support local artists. It is also a fun family-friendly event, with something for everyone…

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Youthful bluegrass band One Fret Over takes the bluegrass stage

A meeting at summer camp has led to success for a pair of siblings from Salisbury and Kernersville. Their band, One Fret Over, will perform at the N.C. State Fair in Heritage Circle on Saturday, Oct. 19. Based out of central North Carolina, One Fret Over is comprised of two sets of siblings; Gabe Bemus (guitar and vocals), Grace Bemus (fiddle and vocals), Elijah Moore (mandolin) and Lincoln Moore (bass). The band members met at youth bluegrass camp in 2016. They formed One Fret Over in early 2017 and have filled their schedule performing at local venues and festivals ever…

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Carolina Bluegrass Battle winners The Hey Brothers will play the NC State Fair

The Hey Brothers’ trip to the N.C. State Fair started this spring. The Pittsboro-based group was the winner of the the Carolina Bluegrass Battle at the annual Got to Be N.C. Festival. The band earned $500 and spots at the N.C. State Fair and PreddyFest. John Dudley (banjo), Allen Ray (guitar), Keith Sikes (bass), Tim Lee (mandolin) and Brian English (fiddle) formed the group in 2007. The band’s name came from old advertisements that Lee found online. Band members saw the ad and the name just stuck. The group plays mostly local and regional events, including festivals and private functions. “Everyone…

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Sounds from the Waterfall and Bluegrass Stages

Dorton Arena isn’t the only place to find amazing performances during the Fair. Music lovers will want to make sure they check out the free concerts at the Waterfall Stage and Bluegrass Stage during the Fair. Just outside Dorton Arena on the northwest lawn, Raleigh native Jeanne Jolly will play a mix of country, folk and Americana songs. The singer/songwriter, who has been compared to Alison Krauss, spent a lot of her youth in the Blue Ridge Moutains listening to its influential bluegrass sound. After moving to Los Angeles and traveling across North America in a jazz group, Jeanne is back in North…

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