ABINGDON, VA - Building on the success of its January Jams music series, Abingdon is pleased to announce a new slate of concerts in February 2020. Abingdon Music Experience presents Abingdon Sessions at Barter Theatre, each Friday and Saturday, February 14-29, 2020. The lineup includes Grammy Award winning artists and popular American Roots acts, including Tri-Cities native Amythyst Kiah, fresh off her first Grammy nomination.
Hayes Carll; image courtesy of Visit Abingdon |
The event is sponsored by the Town of Abingdon, Blue Ridge Beverage, First Community Bank, Comfort Suites and JJ's Restaurant and Sports Bar.
Abingdon Sessions celebrates the Appalachian influence on American Roots Music, at a time when Southwest Virginia is becoming nationally recognized. The rich musical history of the region was just recently highlighted in the enormously popular Ken Burns’ documentary on Country Music, making it the perfect time to feature the legacy of our music on current artists.
Featuring seasoned and rising artists in American Roots music, Abingdon Sessions is an exciting lineup of award-winning acts. Four out of the six shows in the series are co-bills, or double headliners. In contrast to a typical short set by an opener and longer set by a headliner, these co-bills will showcase two artists, often with their full backing bands, essentially offering two concerts in one evening.
The series kicks off Friday February 14th with the perfect Valentine’s Day offering: East Tennesssee native Jill Andrews, formerly of the everybodyfields, will be joined on stage by Brooke & Darin Aldridge. Saturday February 15th the popular Texas band Asleep at the Wheel performs.
The series continues with Hayes Carll February 21st and Acoustic Syndicate and Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley February 22nd. Irish Country band Scythian (sith-ee-yin) and Lindsay Lou perform February 28th, and hometown favorite Amythyst Kiah and Front Country close out the series February 29th. Kiah just received her first Grammy nomination for Best American Roots song as a songwriter on “Black Myself” for the group Our Native Daughters.
All concerts take place at historic Barter Theatre in downtown Abingdon. Barter Theatre is the gem in the region’s performing arts scene, and offers the perfect listening room experience for these concerts.
Abingdon Mayor Wayne Craig says that the Abingdon Sessions will be a key attractor in February. “Tourism is the lifeblood of Abingdon it fuels our restaurants, shops and businesses,” Mayor Craig said. “Barter Theatre is our nighttime entertainment mainstay. With their announcement to open later in the year, we knew it was urgent and important to continue to offer evening entertainment in February with the Abingdon Sessions.”
Abingdon Sessions 2020 Lineup
Jill Andrews and Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Friday February 14, 2020
Genre: Singer Songwriter, Indie Folk, Americana
For Fans Of: Josh Ritter, The Milk Carton Kids, Mandolin Orange
Asleep at the Wheel
Saturday February 15, 2020
Genre: Western Swing, Country Rock
For Fans Of: Junior Brown, BR549, Dwight Yoakam
Hayes Carll
Friday, February 21, 2020
Genre: Singer-Songwriter, Outlaw Country, Americana
For Fans of: Jason Isbell, Robert Earl Keen, Justin Townes Earl
Acoustic Syndicate and Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley
Saturday February 22, 2020
Genre: Rock, Folk, Bluegrass
For Fans Of: Railroad Earth, Greensky Bluegrass, Hot Buttered Rum
Scythian and Lindsay Lou
Friday February 28, 2020
Genre: Americana, Irish Country, Folk
For Fans Of: Gaelic Storm, The Elders, Punch Brothers, MIPSO
Amythyst Kiah and Front Country
Saturday February 29, 2020
Genre: American Roots, Americana, Neo Folk
For Fans Of: Rhiannon Giddens, Indigo Girls, Mandolin Orange
About Abingdon Music Experience
The Abingdon Music Experience is a program of the Abingdon Convention & Visitors Bureau, designed to bring great live music to Abingdon throughout the year. Signature Events include January Jams at Barter Theatre & Thursday Jams at the Abingdon Market Pavilion.
For more information on Abingdon Sessions, you may visit abingdonmusicexperience.com.
