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!