The Lincoln Theatre is set to host three upcoming performances of Song of the Mountains
The concert series showcases the talents in bluegrass, Americana, and old-time music. The award-winning public television concert series showcases music, musicians, musical heritage, and culture of the Southern Appalachians.
On June 6, Song of the Mountains will feature Yonder Mountain String Band with John Paul Douglas & The Bitter Trades.
Grammy-nominated Yonder Mountain String Band has set the tone for a new way forward in acoustic music, carrying bluegrass into rooms and conversations it had never previously reached. Nearly three decades later, they believe that same spirit still guides them, alive and present on Good As True (2026), the band’s 12th studio album, released on March 27. Yonder believes the album is unguarded and in motion, preserving the spark of musicians playing in real time and leaning into everything they have learned along the way.
John Paul Douglas & The Bitter Trades are said to be known for their live performances and songwriting, influenced by classic country, rock n’ roll, and the blues. The band strives to blend grit, groove, and soul into original storytelling and a sound that feels both timeless and electric, full of authentic energy, great musicianship, and songs that will stick with you.
On July 18, Erick Baker will take the stage.
Asheville’s MountainXpress calls him a “heart-on-his-sleeve troubadour” with “a smoke and whiskey tenor full of range and emotion.” A self-taught musician, Baker didn’t pick up a guitar until after college, yet he has gone on to share the stage with artists like John Legend, Brandi Carlile, Grace Potter, and the GooGoo Dolls, as well as rock legends Heart. His sound lives at the intersection of folk, rock, country, and soul, drawing comparisons to Ray La Montagne and Amos Lee while remaining distinctly his own.
Since his 2008 debut, Baker has released eight albums and earned national recognition not only for his music but also as a children’s book author and host of the PBS travel series Tennessee Valley Uncharted, celebrating his Southern roots. On stage, Baker’s music is said to be at its best.
Whether in a sold-out theater or an intimate listening room, Baker is said to not just play the songs but to make audience members feel them.
On Aug. 1, Shadowgrass will perform for Song of the Mountains.
When their instrumental prowess earned them a vast following on social media, childhood friends turned Shadowgrass found sudden success. As a young band, the expectations that went along with a large audience proved daunting. “We felt a lot of pressure to make something uniquely us, because we had such a big following, and we felt that they deserved more than what we had given them as of yet,” explained band members. The group worked to dig deep into their own musicality and tried to block out the noise for their sophomore release, All That Will (Oct 4, 2024). “It turned out that dropping those self-imposed expectations and just writing/making music for our own enjoyment was the key to finding our collective voice and making a record we are all proud of.”
Shadowgrass began in 2014 when Clay Russell (banjo), Luke Morris (mandolin), and Kyser George (guitar) were jamming at the Grayson County Fiddler’s Convention in Elk Creek. Sometime before their first real show, the name Shadowgrass was suggested simply because they thought it sounded “cool”. George, Russell, and Morris were 9, 13, and 14 years old at the time. Now in their early 20s, their influences and listening habits have changed drastically, but the group has always grown in the same direction musically. They have welcomed fiddle player Madison Morris, who also lends vocals and songwriting prowess, and bass player Evan Campfield.
Luke and Madison trade off lead vocals and harmonies with one another. Their commitment to and keen interest in songwriting bring additional dimensions to the band, allowing the group to appeal to listeners outside of the expected jam-band community.
For more information about The Lincoln Theatre and event tickets, visit www.thelincoln.org or call 276-783-6092.
