FINE TUNED SESSIONS

This special event is a collaboration with the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA), showcasing talents from the BRNHA Fine Tuned program alongside other regional and national acts deeply rooted in Appalachian and Americana music. Immerse yourself in a full day of music at Rare Bird Farm, with camping options and onsite food/catering available.

Event proceeds will support the BRNHA Fine Tuned Program.

Experience a blend of traditional old Time music and contemporary Americana, featuring a cross-creative pollination of artists that promises an intimate and distinctive musical journey.

SCHEDULE

11:00 AM Gates

12:10 PM Welcome

12:15 PM Benjamin Barker (& Friends)

  1:30 PM Brandon Johnson & Troy Harrison

  2:30 PM Rare Bird Ballad Swap with
                  Shelia Kay Adams, Donna Ray Norton, Melanie Rice and William Ritter

  3:30 PM Bayla Davis and Cary Fridley

  4:30 PM Laura Boosinger  

  6:00 PM Tyler Ramsey & Friends

DAY PASSES

$65 ADULT

$25 PER CHILD 16 and under

————-

GATES open at 10:30 AM

MUSIC starts at 12 PM

MUSIC ends at 7 PM (there will be some later night special sets for campers - see below)

*There will be food available on site for purchase / This event is BYOB

Attention parents! Bring your kids aged 16 and under to enjoy our live music performances at a discounted rate. While we love little ones, we kindly request that they either listen to the music or play away from the show to maintain a respectful listening environment for all. Thank you for understanding and supporting our commitment to quality music experiences.

CONCERT + WEEKEND CAMPING PASS

$125 ADULT

$50 PER CHILD 16 and under

*Only 40 concert + weekend camping pass tickets will be sold to this intimate music event. There will be additional music sets on Friday night and Saturday night post-event for weekend guests. All campsites are first come first serve and those purchasing weekend camping passes will receive additional information prior to the event.

Camping Check In: Friday, May 3rd @ 2PM
Camping Check Out: Sunday, May 5th @ 1PM

*There will be food and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase on site during the Saturday event. Rare Bird Farm does not sell alcohol and all events are BYOB.

CURRENT LINEUP (more artists to be announced)

RARE BIRD BALLAD SWAP - with Donna Ray Norton, Sheila Kay Adams, William Ritter and Melanie Rice. This is a special ballad circle performance not to be missed featuring special performances from some of the world’s top ballad singers and preservationists of these special songs.

FINE TUNED JAM - Multiple sets of music with top old time artists including: Laura Boosinger, Brandon Johnson & Troy Harrison (featured in the documentary below), Bayla Davis (banjo) & Cary Fridley, Benjamin Barker (hammered dulcimer) and more

See the video from Bayla & Cary’s Fine Tuned collaboration:

See some of the featured musicians in the mini-documentary Madison County, NC - Where Music History is Alive below:

TYLER RAMSEY. The former lead guitarist of Band of Horses, Ramsey has also released four acclaimed solo albums, including “For The Morning” in 2019. Ramsey’s latest album “New Lost Ages” (out Feb. 9, 2024) was captured at the legendary Avast! Recording Co. in Seattle, Washington, by storied producer Phil Ek (Fleet Foxes, Father John Misty, The Shins, Built to Spill). Tyler will be playing the Fine Tuned Sessions after an extensive nationwide spring tour in support of his new album.

“I’m more and more drawn to playing intimate shows for people,” Ramsey said. “Stripping away smoke and mirrors, being in a room with people and trying to create a moment — one person with a guitar and a room full of people that want to listen.”