Author: Christopher Crowell

While Earth Day Jam is a free event, a VIP ticket gives you access to the EARTH DAY JAM VIP Tent with Chef-prepared local farm and garden-to-table goodies with adult beverages from our sponsors.

Proceeds go to support Happy Roots’ school and community garden programs. Happy Roots is a 501c3 nonprofit organization providing nature-based therapeutic and educational services to enhance the wellness of the community and the environment.

Salisbury Symphony Youth Orchestra Members
Aiden Selves
Joel Jones
West Rowan Elementary Ukulele Club
Landis Steel Drum Club
Concord Juggler
Webster Family Jam
Bad Gnus
Zoey Walser
Noah Aldega
Caleb Hill
Persimmon Jam
Callista Jade
CJ Sunshine Super Band

Colton Sherrill and the Pickups are a rock band based in Salisbury, NC, formed in early 2023. With Colton Sherrill on lead guitar and vocals, Jeremy Macha on bass and backing vocals, and Louis Bodak on drums and backing vocals, the trio has quickly become a local favorite. Known for their unique blend of rock and blues, they’ve performed at events like the “Sounds of Salisbury Spring Concert Series” and “Bands on Bank Street,”…. Colton was named a “Person to Watch in 2025” by the Salisbury Post.

Originally performing as a cover band, Colton Sherrill and the Pickups now focus on original music, bringing Sherrill’s self-taught compositions to life. Sherrill, a 28-year-old Mount Ulla native, has been playing guitar for over 15 years, teaching himself through online tutorials. He also teaches guitar and ukulele lessons at Nebulux Music School in Spencer.

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“Magical…gives everybody the joy!” says Billboard Magazine

Formed by a stellar band of artists, lead by Joslyn’s late step-father and accomplished musician Marty Charters, whose resume includes work with greats H-Bomb Ferguson and Junior Wells, sharing the stage with legends Buddy Guy and Van Morrison to name a few.

From Lexington, KY – Joslyn & The Sweet Compression has been a part of the whizzbangbam family, the same management as fellow Kentuckian and phenomenon, Tyler Childers, since inception.

Joslyn Hampton conjures a mixture of Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, and Whitney Houston delivering a hook-filled mix of funk and soul. Since their debut as a band in 2019, this powerhouse group has rapidly become a headlining favorite at regional clubs and music festivals across the country. They are set for a big year in 2025, with widespread touring including Dark Star Jubilee, Cathead Jam, Casual Campout, Whitewater Centers Tuckfest, Telluride Jazz Festival and more!

Celebrating their sophomore album ‘Bonafide’ and big year on the road… We’re excited to have Joslyn & The Sweet Compression joining us for EARTH DAY JAM this year.

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All the way back to the first year in 2012… An EARTH DAY JAM original – Big Break

11 years ago today, we got devastating news that our dear friend and the frontman of Big Break, David Myers, was in a tragic accident and severely injured. Family, friends, and musicians from far and wide rallied to support… Many donated instruments, raffle prizes, and services… held benefit concerts… and several local musicians even spent the following month, between hospital and recovery visits, learning Dave’s songs to make sure he could still take the EDJ stage. His first appearance back since the accident!

Since then, David has not only made a major comeback, but continued to rock out and write music releasing 4 more studio albums, performing notable gigs and festivals including Carolina Indie Fest, Irie Vibes, LEAF Global Arts Festival, and more.

Being an avid skateboarder and surfer, Dave became very involved with Ocean Cure and Life Rolls On Foundation advocating their mission and performing their ‘They Will Surf Again’ events.

Dave and Big Break’s cunning lyric driven music is a genre of its own, incorporating a healthy spectrum of rock ‘n roll, funk, folk, reggae, and ska delivering songs of reassurance, comfort, humor and inspiration… stories told and connections made… and fan-favorite singalongs with relatable lyrics that hit the soul of the artist and the every man.

David also performs with bands No. 9 Coal and with his wife, Courtney, as ‘Dave & Court’ and Persimmon Jam. He’s also a fitness trainer and boxing instructor/coach at our local YMCA. He’s an inspiration to many…

We’re so glad Dave’s still with us and super stoked to have Big Break back for EDJ this year!

Cheers to 11 years, Dave!

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Raised near the banks of the Haw River in Alamance County, a region of North Carolina known for its blue clay, tobacco farms, and hosiery mills… A natural soul singer and blues musician, Drew Foust’s music sounds like it’s made between the bleary hours of a rock bar’s last call and a southern preacher’s early morning prayer. Hand made, self-made and arranged in dramatic structure, the music is lyrical and rhythm driven, always pushing a feeling forward.

The Wheelhouse is an amalgamation of some of the best musicians in the piedmont region of North Carolina. Together, Drew and the band lend themselves to heartfelt songwriting with high test grooves, purveying their signature southern soul n’ roll sound. Current members are Jimmy Washington on rhythm guitar, Jared Church on bass, Chuck Pinckney on drums and Cole Covington on keys. The band is known for expanding beyond its core members, having collaborated in studio and on stage with DaShawn & Wendy Hickman, Sam & Eli Fribush, Maia Kamil and Jive Mother Mary. With notable performances at Shakori Hills Festival, Boonerang Music & Arts Festival, and FloydFest 24 in addition to opening for The Wallflowers in Winston Salem NC.

Drew’s second full-length album, “Good Thing,” released on Charlie Hunter’s SideHustle label in September of 2022, is inspired by Memphis soul music from the 60s and 70s on labels like Stax and Hi Records. Blending those soul influences into a batch of original songs with a group of top shelf musicians was indeed a “good thing” and should be heard far and wide!

Also, if you’re a fan of Nathaniel Rateliff or Lukas Nelson … You’re gonna love this!

Super excited to have Drew Foust & The Wheelhouse joining us this year!

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Destiny Stone blends gospel, blues & jazz to create lyrics and soulful melodies that leave her audiences captivated and inspired.

Born in the state capital, Jackson, and raised in Holly Springs, Mississippi, Destiny moved to North Carolina to pursue a degree in Popular Music where she graduated from Catawba College in 2018. Destiny currently lives in Salisbury, NC and is a music educator, worship leader, wife, and mother AKA music makin mama.

Over the past 5 years, Destiny has most notably performed at The Fillmore in Charlotte, NC; performed an original song for John Oates of Grammy-winning duo Hall and Oates, and performed as a part of the U.S. National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Treasure dedication celebration for the renowned Nina Simone.

Most recently, Destiny opened up for The Shindellas, and for the Grammy nominated trio The Tones, formerly known as The Hamiltones. She was a Top 4 Finalist and 2nd place winner in the 2024 North Carolina Folk Festival Songwriter Competition.

She’s set to drop a brand new track on March 15th so stay tuned!

We’re excited to have local she-ro Destiny Stone back on the EDJ stage!
Thanks for supporting Happy Roots, Destiny!

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