You know the end of summer is near when the North Carolina Apple Festival comes to town.
This weekend, organizers have selected nine free live music gigs to drown out the crunching of people eating fresh mountain apples in the downtown streets of Hendersonville.
“The Apple Festival provides all kinds of music on the main stage in front of the Historic Courthouse!” said Pat Shepherd, one of the festival’s co-chairs for entertainment.
She and John Shepherd have been lining up acts for the Festival for more than 40 years. “There is definitely a band for everyone to enjoy!”
Indeed there is: Everything from the big band sound of the Buddy K Band to the country gospel of the Carolina Quartet to the funk of Free Flow Band and the dance-like-no-one-is-watching party band The Mighty Kicks.
The music starts Friday afternoon and won’t end until the last high school marching band finishes the King Apple Parade Monday afternoon.
There is a lot of music to choose from, but don’t worry about missing anything. Pat and John have organized it so that all acts will be at the Historic Courthouse with no overlapping.
Yes, you can hear it all as you munch on apples and consider what it really means to celebrate Labor Day Weekend. However, Pat said the biggest draws will probably be the Buddy K Band on Friday, the Flashback Band on Saturday and The Might Kicks on Sunday.
You can hear the big band tunes of yesterday, the pop hits from the ‘60s forward, and then throw your hands in the air like you just don’t care.
“We have a little bit of everything from big band, country, bluegrass, ‘60s, ‘80s, rock ‘n’ roll, rhythm and blues, and party bands!” she said.
For those who take Labor Day to heart, Pat pointed out… “A special event this year will take place on Saturday in the sky! The Bandit Flight Team will fly over downtown Hendersonville in an aerial salute to America.
“Six planes will fly in formation above Main Street at noon. A patriotic musical tribute at the historic courthouse stage will coincide with the flyover.”
We’re not sure if the patriotic music will be live or not, but stand up and be proud as you look into the wild blue yonder.
“The North Carolina Apple Festival is hoping everyone will enjoy the festival and stay healthy by wearing a face covering at many events,” Pat said. “All the entertainment is outdoors, and we encourage you to bring your own chairs and find a great place to enjoy the music!”
Salute!
North Carolina Apple Festival
Downtown Hendersonville
Friday-Monday, Sept. 3-6
Friday, Sept. 3: Lazruve, ‘80s tribute band, 1-2 p.m.; Buddy K Band, big band music, 6-8 p.m., Historic Courthouse
Saturday, Sept. 4: Carolina Quartet, country, gospel, 11:15a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Jonah Riddle & Carolina Express, gospel, bluegrass, 2:30-3:30 p.m.; Free Flow Band, funk, R&B, 3:30-5 p.m.; Flashback, party, beach, rock, 6-8 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 5: Gin Mill Pickers, duo, retro-fitted folk/ragtime, 1:15-2:15 p.m.; The Super ‘60s, party, 3-5 p.m.; The Mighty Kicks, party band from Orangeburg, SC, 5-8 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 6: High school marching bands in the Apple King Parade, 2:30-5 p.m.
305 Lounge & Eatery
305 N. Main St., Hendersonville
Every Tuesday and Thursday, 1-3 p.m., Bob Sherrill, singer, songwriter, guitarist
Every first and third Friday night, 5-7 p.m., Geriatric Jukebox, husband and wife sing oldies but goodies
Every Wednesday, 1-3 p.m., Mark Fisher, classic country, southern rock, oldies rock
1898 Waverly Inn
783 N. Main St., Hendersonville
Thursday, Sept. 2, 6-8 p.m., Jacob Johnson, neo-acoustic folk/funk, soloist, singer, guitarist
Appalachian Ridge Artisan Hard Cider
749 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville
Friday, Sept. 3, 6-9 p.m., Wiregrass, jam session, bluegrass
Saturday, Sept. 4, 3-6 p.m., Tony Palkovic, rock, folk, originals, covers
Sunday, Sept. 5, 2:30-5:30 p.m., Myron Hyman, soloist, singer, guitarist, eclectic
Bold Rock Hard Cider
72 School House Rd., Mills River
Friday, Sept. 3, 6-9 p.m., Ben Phan, singer, songwriter, guitarist, eclectic
Saturday, Sept. 4, noon-3 p.m., Crystal Fountains, bluegrass, folk, rock
Burntshirt Vineyards
2695 Sugarloaf Rd., Hendersonville
Friday, Sept. 3, noon-2:30 p.m., LyriSmith, acoustic duo, originals, covers, eclectic; Friday, Sept. 3, 3-6 p.m., Steve Weams
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2-5 p.m., Ben Phan, singer, songwriter, guitarist, eclectic
Sunday, Sept. 5, 2-5 p.m., Rory Jagdeo, singer, songwriter, guitarist, harmonica, covers, originals, Americana
Continuum ART
147 Suite C, 1st Ave. E., Hendersonville
Saturday, Sept. 4, noon, Art Market: Darby Wilcox & Saul Siebert, noon-2 p.m.; Gabriel Knows Everything 2-3 p.m.; Nate Z on Keys, 3-5 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m., Swing Night with Russ Wilson and his orchestra
D9 Brewing Company
425 N. Main St, Hendersonville
Friday, Sept. 3, 7-10 p.m., Denis Coleman, acoustic, classic rock, country
Dry Falls Brewing Co.
425 Kanuga Rd., Hendersonville
Friday, Sept. 3, 7-10 p.m., The MUG Band, blues, roots, rock, covers, originals
Saturday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m., J. Stephens & The Stubborn Hearts with Howl in the Valley, folk rock, acoustic
Guidon Brewing Co.
415 8th Ave. E., Hendersonville
Friday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m., Andy Ferrell, original southern roots music
Saturday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m., Craig St. John, singer, songwriter
Hendersonville Farmers Market
650 Maple St., Hendersonville
Saturday, Sept. 4, 9 a.m.-noon, Fiddlin’ Ryn and Friends, bluegrass string band
Mills River Brewing Co.
336 Banner Farm Rd., Mills River
Friday, Sept. 3, 7-10 p.m., Chalwa, mountain reggae
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2-5 p.m., Grass Cats, bluegrass
Saturday, Sept. 4, 7-10 p.m., Pen15
Sunday, Sept. 5, 2-5 p.m., The Kentucky Waterfalls, country, duo, originals
Oklawaha Brewing Company
147 1st Ave. E., Hendersonville
Thursday, Sept. 2, 7-9 p.m., The Ryan Fletcher Uno, guitarist, covers, originals, country to disco
Friday, Sept. 3, 8-11 p.m. The Roving, Americana, roots, rock
Saturday, Sept. 4, 3-6 p.m., Blues Brunch with Craig Woody; 8-11 p.m., Ten Toe Turbo, rock
Monday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m., open mic
Pops Diner
860 N. Main St., Hendersonville
Friday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m., Johnnie Blackwell, Hendo native, singer, rocker
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
588 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville
Saturday, Sept. 4, 3-6 p.m., 3 Shades of Gray, three men of a certain age, classic rock, danceable
Sunday, Sept. 5, 2:30-5:30 p.m., PEZ, Eric Congdon Trio
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard in Flat Rock
2698 C Greenville Highway, East Flat Rock
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Myron Hyman, soloist, singer, guitarist, eclectic
Sawyer Springs Vineyard
124 Sandy Hill Ln., Hendersonville
Saturday, Sept. 4, 6-8 p.m., Myron Hyman, Myron Hyman, soloist, singer, guitarist, eclectic
Southern Appalachian Brewery
822 Locust St., Ste. 100, Hendersonville
Thursday, Sept. 2, 6-8 p.m., Blues Thursday, Bill Altman with Ryan G. Hoots on drums
Friday, Sept. 3, 7-9 p.m., Beer & Loathing, acoustic duo, Johnny Blackwell and Cole Laughter, rock, funk, hippie honky-tonk
Saturday, Sept. 4, 7-9 p.m., The Mattocks-Johnson Band, blues, classic rock, danceable
Sunday, Sept. 5, 4-6 p.m., The Dan Keller Trio, quality jazz in its many forms; 7-9 p.m., Love Bubble, Hank Bones, Paula Hanke, Peggy Ratusz go ‘60s hippie music, psychedelic, jazz, folk, pop, rock, kitschy, harmony driven
South Rock Sports Grill
830 Greenville Hwy., Hendersonville
Saturday, Sept. 4, 8 p.m.-midnight, Sinnerville Saints, high-energy rock
The 2nd Act Coffee, Wine and Craft Beer Bar
101 E. Allen St., Hendersonville
Saturday, Sept. 4, 6-9 p.m., Sunlight Drive, two men with guitars, acoustic, eclectic
The Dugout Sports Bar & Taphouse
430 N. Main St., Hendersonville
Thursday, Sept. 2, 8 p.m.-midnight, open jam with Paul Liford
Friday, Sept. 3, 8 p.m.-midnight, Xzempt, party band from Upstate, SC
Saturday, Sept. 4, 8 p.m.-midnight, Twisted Trail, rock ban
The Greenhouse Moto Cafe
4021 Haywood Rd. (Highway 191), Mills River
Friday, Sept. 3, 8-11 p.m., Miami Gold, original rock
Saturday, Sept. 4, 8 p.m., Unpaid Bill and the Bad Czechs, bawdy, nostalgic commentary and only music prior to 1940
Sunday, Sept. 5, 3 p.m., Rod Sphere, R&B, doo wop, punk, rock
The Poe House
105 1st Ave. W., Hendersonville
Friday, Sept. 3, 7-10 p.m., Wes Ganey
Sunday, Sept. 5, noon-3 p.m., Mr Jimmy, Chicago-style blues
Timber Axe Throwing
218 Duncan Hill Rd., Hendersonville
Saturday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m., High Sierra, trio, covers, acoustic
Triskelion Brewing Company
340 7th Ave. E., Hendersonville
Thursday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m., open mic
Friday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m., ALR Trio, rock, originals
Saturday, Sept. 4, 7-9:30 p.m., The Stipe Brothers, cover band of young dads, rock
Sunday, Sept. 5, 3 p.m., Johnnie Blackwell, Hendo native, singer, rocker
Want to be included in “Live Music?” Send your information via email to Steve Wong at Just4Wong@Gmail.com by Monday at 8 a.m. for the coming Thursday-Sunday. Don’t forget to send details on your performing artist along with a good high-resolution photo.
