Tift Merritt, Arrested Development & more playing Shakori Hills

The Shakori Hils GrassRoots Festival in Pittsboro is celebrating it's ninth year in 2011, and the performers for the spring festival on April 21-24 have been announced.

Some of the featured performers include Tift Merritt, Arrested Development, The Travelin' McCourys, Donna the Buffalo, Langhorne Slim, Holy Ghost Tent Revival and Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion.

Other performers will include The Beast, Midtown Dickens, Greg Humphreys, Birds and Arrows, Mount Moriah, Gray Young and Kooley High. Check out the full list of performers below.

Album Review: Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion - Bright Examples

When I first put on Bright Examples, the second album from husband and wife duo Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, I was surprised.

Much of the expected traditional country twang is gone. In its place is a pastoral folk sound reminiscent of late 60’s and early 70’s. After learning how much has changed for the couple in the last five years - a move from South Carolina to Massachusetts and two children - it made sense that their music would change along with them.

With help from members of Vetiver and The Jayhawks, Guthrie and Irion have recorded a gorgeous album that gets more rewarding with every listen. Bright Examples is more laid back than a hippie in a recliner, but the constant motion within its layers prevent it from dragging.

Vetiver & Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion announce tour

The broad genre folk is the common denominator on a short spring tour that will see California band Vetiver hitting the road with married duo Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion.

The pair of acts will play The Pinhook in Durham on Thursday, March 24. Additional details of the show are not available yet, but we'll keep you posted.

[UPDATE: Tickets are now available HERE in for $11.54 (that includes fees).]

Chatham County Line announces 2010 holiday dates

Chatham County Line are rolling out the dates for their annual holiday tour which always feature some great special guests. This year, the quartet will be joined by Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion and Tift Merritt band members Jay Brown and Zeke Hutchins.

The Triangle date is at the Pour House in Raleigh on Wednesday, Dec. 15. Advance tickets are on sale now here for $17.

Check out more holiday dates below and there are likely more to come in the not-too-distant future.

The Autumn Defense & Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion announce fall dates

Photo by Mae Moreno

The Autumn Defense, which features Wilco members John Stirratt and Pat Sansone, are gearing up to release their new album Once Around via Yep Roc Records on November 2.

The group will hit the road in November to support the album with folk duo Saraha Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion. The tour will stop at Durham's new club Casbah on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Ticket info is not available yet, but we'll keep you posted.

Check out the song "Back of My Mind" from Once Around below along with the complete tour schedule.