Our Musicians
Music is a big part of the Montford and Asheville culture so we couldn’t have an Historic Montford Garden Tour without music. Local musicians will be playing at varying times throughout the day on the porches, decks, and patios of our gardens on the tour. The schedule will be posted immediately prior to the Garden Tour and will be included in the Tour Guide you’ll receive as your ticket into the event.
Krekel & Whoa
Americana Roots Music
Musical conspirators since 2004, Jason Krekel (guitar, fiddle, drums, vocals) and Ami Whoa (keyboard, guitar, vocals) have traveled the continent and beyond sharing their infectious tunes, performing as The Mad Tea Party and by other names. They have played countless venues and festivals and shared the stage with bands such as Southern Culture on the Skids, Donna the Buffalo, and the Avett Brothers.
1:00 – 3:00 at Garden 6
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Elizabeth Terry & John Logue
Classical Guitar and Violin
Elizabeth Terry is an active performer and music educator and has performed on violin and fiddle for contra dances and with the Hendersonville Symphony, Brevard Philharmonic, Asheville Lyric Opera, Spartanburg Philharmonic, Asheville Choral Society, and Cafe Strings Quartet as well as other orchestras and chamber groups in the WNC area. Elizabeth holds a BA in Music from UNC Asheville and a Master of Music Education from UNC Greensboro.
John Logue hails form Chicago and has been living in the Asheville are for 23 years. He plays and teaches classical guitar and has played in jazz, swing and country ensembles.
Noon – 2:00 at Garden 8
Ben Scales and Andy Pond
Bluegrass/Newgrass
Bluegrass, reggae, folk, you name it, you’ll hear it.
2:00 – 4:00 at Garden 4
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Fancy & the Gentlemen
Americana/Country
Fancy and the Gentlemen brings an eclectic mix of honky tonk, blues, southern gothic, rock, and classical roots to this americana band. Sensitive and rich harmonies weave through the tapestry of original compositions and carefully curated covers that celebrate the roots of American southern music.
2:00 – 4:00 at Garden 3
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Bryce Robertson
Smooth jazz
Bryce has an eclectic sound that is unique to each performance, with original compositions that are worldly, progressive, and infused with experimental improvisations.
10:30 – 12:30 at Garden 1
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Strings in the Garden
Classical chamber music and more
Violinist and Montford resident Merissa Gail Walkenstein brings together her musical friends to provide chamber music to accompany your garden tour experience.
10:30 – 12:30 at Garden 7
Montford Jazz Band
Jazz
The Montford Jazz Band is Henry Candler (trumpet), Sara Nell Chase (bass), Ben Gregory (piano), and Walker Whitley (drums).
11:30 – 1:30 at the Greek Church
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Peggy Ratusz
Blues
Blues/Jazz/Swing & Soul chanteuse, Peggy Ratusz has a crystal clear, swanky, funky and fun range of nostalgic to modern vocal stylings that effectively transmits the groove and the lyrical content. She’s been honing her craft for over thirty five years. And for the past ten, she’s either won or placed in the Western North Carolina Readers poll for Best in Blues. This year, she was named Best Vocalist and was also voted as the regional artist who gives back to the community the most.
Noon – 2:00 At Garden 5
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Paper Crowns Duo
Folk-inspired power duo.
The Paper Crowns are ambitious. They are a husband and wife who make music together. At first glance you may think you could pigeon hole them into expectations. They might surprise you. They improvise heavily on acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, and drums…often while singing harmonies. Their sound lives somewhere between Shovels and Rope and an acoustic Jerry Garcia jam. Their songs are some of the best in the nation. Take the time and check them out for yourself.” (Juan Bengoa – Concert Promoter/Booking Agent)
10:30 – 12:30 at Garden 4
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Lyric
R&B/Soul
“Busking (street performing) in Asheville is where I got my start,” Lyric says. “Without that, I don’t think I would be where I am today.” The journey from Asheville’s sidewalks to the mainstage has been especially gratifying for Lyric. That’s because Asheville is where she was born and raised, and where her family has made a name in music for three generations. “I would hope that my audience leaves feeling enlightened, feeling happy, feeling empowered and feeling like they can accomplish their dreams,” Jones said. “I went from playing on the streets to where I am now and that’s making a pretty good living playing music.”
2:00 – 4:00 at Garden 2
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Aaron “Woody” Wood
Appalachian Cosmic Soul
Aaron “Woody” Wood is quite the renaissance man, embodying the energy and mystique of American music. He’s shared the stage with Warren Haynes, Trombone Shorty, The Neville Brothers, Mountain, Brad Paisley, Tony Joe White and Sara Evans as well as having players like Mickey Raphael ( Willie Nelson’s Family Band ) on harmonica and worked with famed Producer Rob Frabone (The Rolling Stones, Keith Richards, Bob Dylan ).
Noon – 2:00 at Garden 3
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