Tyler Hughes
Emcee
2025 Festival Performers:
Main Stage
Performers
Emcee: Tyler Hughes
Tyler Hughes serves as the Executive Director of The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. An old time musician and square dance caller, Hughes has been steeped in Appalachia’s musical traditions since his childhood. He has performed at home and abroad on stages across the world. He has appeared on NPR, PBS, and WSM’s Grand Ole Opry. When he isn’t picking a banjo tune, he can be found spending time around Big Stone Gap where he serves as a Town Councilman.
Dave Eggar & Bristol Lightning
Dave Eggar is regarded as one of the finest cellists on the planet, but don’t think he’s limited to classical music. Dave has lent his talent to bands like Coldplay, Evanescence and Pearl Jam, stretching across multiple genres and earning him a grammy nomination. Dave Eggar and Bristol Lightning formed a few years back and have proved to be a great fit. The talent and energy they bring to the stage make them one of the best festival bands on the scene today.
Tennessee Bluegrass Band
The Tennessee Bluegrass Band is rapidly making a name for themselves as an exciting new group with great passion for the music they play. The band was formed from top-notch musicians that gained expertise through performing with some of the industry’s leading bands, and they have a passion for making music that combines the ideas of the past with modern-day creativity. The Tennessee Bluegrass Band has earned numerous accolades including IBMA for New Artist of the Year Nominee, SPBGMA Entertainer of the Year Nominee, #1 Traditional Album on RMR’s Top 50, #1 Gospel song on Cashbox Magazine and #1 Music Video on the Bluegrass Standard.
For information on Gathering Place performers go to the Gathering Place page
Acoustic Arbor sponsored by the Crooked Road
Acoustic Arbor
Stage Schedule
WiseJAMS
Based in Bristol, V.A. , Momma Molasses has toured throughout the Southeast, as a breakout D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) musician. Her music interlaces influences from Classic Country, Appalachian Folk, Western-Swing, Swamp-pop, Bluegrass, and Old-Time music into a uniquely timeless sound. Her rolling contralto voice scales over homespun finger-picked guitar, in haunting lamentations. Warm, rich, and passionate her songs embrace, and captivate listeners, soothing well warn hearts with vulnerable lyricism.
Ashlee Watkins and Andrew Small
Based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small have captivated audiences around the globe with their stirring harmonies and hard-hitting old-time sound. Their songs range from heartbreaking country duets to foot stomping breakdowns as the duo moves effortlessly between fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and guitars. Ashlee and Andrew have won many awards from fiddlers conventions throughout the region including first place with The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee at the 85th Annual Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention.
As songwriters, Ashlee and Andrew were featured in the 2022 IBMA Songwriter Showcase and won first prize in the 29th Annual MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. The duo has been featured on the PBS television show Song Of The Mountains, played on the Cabin Stage at MerleFest, and performed for the inauguration of the 74th Governor of Virginia. In 2021-22, they hosted the 10th season of The Floyd Radio Show and their music is also featured on the soundtracks of The Green Tunnel podcast and the PBS documentary Rock Castle Home.
Town Branch Bluegrass
For many years, Town Branch has played many great venues including the Carter Family Fold, Lays Hardware, Gathering in the Gap, Wilderness Road Heritage Festival, MECC Home Craft Days, Papa Joe Smiddy Labor Day festival, as well as many churches and private events.
Members of Town Branch include Brandon Elkins, Peggy Ely, Shirley Smith, Rod Griffith and Wayne Bonham. All band members are from Lee County, VA
Virginia West
Virginia West is comprised of two Appalachian born-and-bred musicians Toni Doman and KT Vandyke. They specialize in a mix of original material along with Country Western, Folk, Swing and Americana music styles and bring a uniquely vintage approach to their musical escapades. Fresh with colorful harmonies, vibrant rhythm and melodies, their music is simple yet captivating, emotive and catchy.