2025 Musicians | North Georgia Folk Festival

NGFF_25 MUSICIANS

Julia Catherine Barfield
Julia Catherine is a 20-year-old singer-songwriter with roots in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains. Inspired by the lyric-driven Americana and folk music of artists like Townes Van Zandt, Gillian Welch, and Jason Isbell, she delivers songs with a potent voice, fresh perspective, and unabashed conviction. Julia will be performing on the Fire Circle Stage.

Instagram: @juliacatherinemusic.

Pretty Little Goat
Pretty Little Goat is grassroots music at its finest. The band formed in 2013 through their common grounding in the deep well of local tradition found in the mountains of Western North Carolina. As young lovers of old-time music, Pretty Little Goat began winning string band competitions right away. Over the last six years the Goats have collaborated with many well respected local musicians including Jamie Laval, Blake Ellege, members of the Steep Canyon Rangers, Jeff Sipe, Jonathan Grey of Jump Little Children and many others.

Members of the band are dedicated mentors to the next generation of musicians. Always looking for new and exciting ways to inspire young people, they have been deeply involved in the local JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) program, music camps, schools and more.

Pretty Little Goat sees traditional music is a living art form; vibrant and evolving. Their debut self-titled album released in 2016 presents unique interpretations of old-time songs and tunes along with original material. The Goats' second album, Let The Sun Shine In, is full of groovy original music that is "as close as we will ever be to our past while being as current as we need it to be" (Mike Ashworth, Steep Canyon Rangers). The Goat's 3rd album, Big Storm, continues the saga with an album of catchy original and traditional music that is sure to stick with you. Their 4th studio album, Southland, is due out on September 21st 2024 and features a dynamic mix of some of the band's best songwriting to date and energetic traditional tunes.

Pretty Little Goat will be performing on the Main Stage.

Randy Steele and the High Cold Wind
Randy Steele and the High Cold Wind are a high energy bluegrass band based out of Chattanooga Tennessee. It was started in 2022 as a support band for Steele’s singer/songwriter touring. After a few shows, they found themselves invited to multiple festivals throughout the Southeast US with acts like Greensky Bluegrass, Yonder Mountain String Band, Town Mountain, Larry Keel, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, The Kody Norris Show, Nick Lutsko, and the Lonesome River Band.

The band entered the studio in late summer and has multiple single releases due out in 2023 beginning in March. Joining Steele in the High Cold Wind is flat pick wizard and member of Americana favorites Strung Like a Horse, Tyler Martelli on acoustic guitar. Multiple State, multiple instrumental contest Champion and well known teacher John Boulware on Mandolin. Slim Pickins Bluegrass’ own Justin Hupp on the upright bass. Randy Steele and the High Cold Wind are currently booked for several festivals and are actively booking select dates for 2024 Spring, Summer and Fall.

Randy Steele and the High Cold Wind will be performing on the Main Stage.

YouTube Videos:

The BorderHop Trio
The BorderHop Trio's performances are a celebration of music, friendship, and the sheer joy of playing together. With each member contributing their unique talents, they create a sound that resonates with audiences and keeps the spirit of Bluegrass and Americana music alive. They are steeped in tradition while pushing the form forward with new original songs.

BorderHop Trio is: Johnny Fabulous on guitar; Bryan Varin on bass; Sayward Evans vocals; George Boggs on 5-string banjo; Hal Misseri on mandolin.

Pam Blanchard and the Sunny-Side Up Band
Pam Blanchard and the Sunny-Side Up Band has gotten back together and is thrilled to be opening the North Georgia Folk Festival. The band was a mainstay in Athens for over 13 years, and (fun fact) was the ﬁrst band to bring live music to the Athens Holiday Parade. Producing their ﬁrst album of original music for children and their adults in 1998, WALK TALL AND SING A SWEET SONG they brought live music to our town in all sorts of venues, from festivals like this, to schools, and even places like the Melting Point (now the Foundry).

As William Tonks noted in a review of their second album, MUSIC MAKES ME HAPPY, “ Yup, kids' records can be a bland, syrupy, mess. (The band) twists many old assumptions; (the) songwriting and musicianship will arrest and entertain kids, and, happily, their parents and guardians as well. The musicians are a talented bunch and apply a deft touch to a wide array of instruments, throwing in a mandolin here, a jaw harp there, and a banjo around the corner”. Pam is skilled at speaking to and including the young audience throughout the entire show and making the musical experience accessible and super fun! She follows the children, and the band follows her - the whole time exposing young ears to a wide range of instruments.

The musicians are: Pam Blanchard (acoustic guitar/ vocals); Danny Conkle (bass); Joe Ellison (drums/percussion); Kemp Jones (keyboard, vocals); Melinda Kershner (Saxophone, ﬂute, clarinet, vocals); Michael Wegner (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, piano, vocals). Whether you knew the band as a 5-year-old and now have little ones of your own, knew the band as a child and want to connect with your inner-child again, or are totally new to the Sunny-Side Up band, you will be able to experience their particular brand of joy and musicianship this year at the Folk Fest!

The band knows that it is always fun to know the songs ahead of time: so if you need a refresher or are hearing the songs for the ﬁrst time, here is a sample of tunes available on-line that they will be playing (available to hear on Spotify or Youtube); Deep-Down Wigglin Blues / Pretty, Pretty Butterﬂy / Ants in My Pants / Marching Months

Popcorn Music Series:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KruMMh2YADU
AthFest:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kleGWSx2ETs
Wigglin Blues:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nznyDSe7pfs
Athens Holiday Parade:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL3Mou4WuIg

Kids on the Mountain

Rob McMaken and Jason Cade of festival favorites, Hog-Eyed Man, join forces with fiddler Amanda Kapousouz and guitarist Paddy League for a fine set of Irish tunes.

Caroline Aiken, Liz Melendez and Donna Hopkins

Three singer-songwriters at the top of their games. Long-time Athens favorite, Caroline Aiken, headlined the 2015 North Georgia Folk Festival.

Jim White

Jim White “is a Southern singer and songwriter with a surreal, visionary take on roots music and Southern gothic imagery.” Forbes (2024).

Little Mae

Little Mae is an indie songwriter duo that includes (but is not limited to): Sam, Ethan, bass, guitar, magic. This band is a leaky pipe that will soften the floorboards of your heart. Their songs are floods that fill crawl spaces and lonely corners and once you hear them you’ll never feel dry again. Little Mae isn’t sure if you can claim insurance on that sort of thing, but it’s worth a shot.

Links:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/little.mae.band/
Videos – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9hNlaBWdLM

Ralph Roddenbery

Ralph Roddenbery is a unique and impressionable singer/songwriter who has been part of the Athens and Atlanta music scene for many years. He honed his songwriting & performance skills under the tutelage of Bill Berry (R.E.M), John Keane, Randall Bramblett, Davis Causey and Dave Schools (Widespread Panic) Paul "Crumpy" Edwards", Joyce Bramblett and many others while he was living in Athens.
Ralph plays a dynamic blend of Americana, roots rock, and a twist of the blues and is able to connect with his audience in a way that makes them feel as if they are having a one-on-one conversation about life.

Fawney Rig

Fawney Rig is an Irish folk-rock project featuring the lilting voice of Claire Campbell (Hope For Agoldensummer) and the seasoned growl of Nathan Peters (Beat Up). They are backed by their dear friends, David Hecht, MikiLu Peters, Brent Davenport and Dan Whitman playing traditional Irish instruments. You’ll be treated to a set of beloved Irish tunes featuring plenty of Celtic classics, foot-stomping jigs, sweet ballads, and even a few rockers. Expect tunes by The Clancy Brothers, The Pogues, The Dubliners, and many more. There will be songs of love, songs of war, and a few surprises to keep it spicy! Of course, they promise not to pull a Fawney Rig* on you, lad!

*Fawney Rig, def. A common fraud, thus practiced: A fellow drops a brass ring, double gilt, which he picks up before the party meant to be cheated, and to whom he disposes of it for less than its supposed, and ten times more than its real value.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Fawney-Rig

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpPPz_RkjjHbZue-FAqai6g

Tonalli Danza Folklórica Mexicana

Traditional Mexican dance group from Athens, Georgia.