Tag: 2025

“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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Austin McNeill is an independent artist born and raised in Salisbury, Rowan County, NC. He graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2018 and has been chasing music since first finding his passion in a small Southern Baptist church choir at the age of 5.

He infuses country and rock with a contemporary, yet nostalgic flair.

Since releasing his debut EP “Carolina”, Austin has been on a fast track to success in the country music industry. Austin’s breakout single “Ridin’ Highways” was featured during the 2023 CMT awards. He was chosen to be a Tractor Supply Emerging Artist in 2023 and is actively mentored by Dustin Lynch.

Austin has since shared the stage with country superstars Lainey Wilson, Dustin Lynch, Lauren Alaina, Kip Moore, and Maddie & Tae, among others.

He performed at the Grand Ole Opry with Lainey Wilson in October of 2023. In 2024, Austin made his debut performances at Bridgestone Arena and AT&T Stadium.

Back by popular demand, we’re excited to have Austin back for Earth Day Jam! Thanks for supporting Happy Roots, Austin

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Folk…Country…Blues…Rock n’ Roll

Sugar, vinegar, or spice! When Colin Cutler & Hot Pepper Jam show up, it’s all on the table!
An Army veteran who traded in his rifle for a banjo and guitar, Cutler is a Greensboro-based poet, teacher, and songwriter who grew up Pentecostal in a military family with #NorthCarolina and Pennsylvania roots. He pulls on the varied threads of life and literature, as well as the blues, country, gospel, oldtime, and rock music he grew up with to weave what No Depression has described as a “magnificent tapestry of roots music.”

Colin Cutler & Hot Pepper Jam’s music stretches across the American roots music world, from acoustic oldtime and alt country to electric blues and rock n’ roll, with touches of bluegrass and jam band energy.

The last couple years have seen them playing Merlefest, Shakori Hills, the North Carolina Folk Festival, the Susquehanna Folk Festival (2022 Emerging Artist Winner!), Antlers & Acorns Songwriters Festival, and more. ‘Tarwater’, their first release as a band, reached the Top 20 in both Folk and Alternative Country radio charts on its release.

He’s currently traveling and fixin’ to get his spring garden ready. Yes, he makes his own hot pepper jam with his homegrown peppers! We’re excited to have Colin Cutler & Hot Pepper Jam joining us this year for ‘Earth Day Jam’ – A Benefit for Happy Roots – Saturday, April 12th at Bell Tower Green in Downtown Salisbury, NC.

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SUPER excited to have Issac Hadden joining us this year! A genre-smashing guitar phenom, vocalist and bandleader…. Originally from Southwest, VA, currently based in Asheville, NC, who started the ‘Isaac Hadden Project’ when he was just 15 years old! His primary touring unit (billed simply as ‘Isaac Hadden’) is a heavy-hitting funk-rock quartet rapidly gaining notoriety on the music fest circuit and the east coast jam band scene with high energy performances and tight, dynamic improvisation.

From a young age, Isaac has had the privilege of joining some of the hottest acts on the national circuit, including Keller Williams, Leftover Salmon, Ron Holloway, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, Roosevelt Collier, Jeff Sipe Trio, Big Something, Kanika Moore, Dogs In A Pile, Big Daddy Love, Larry Keel, SUSTO, and numerous others! Voted 2022’s ‘Best Of The Blue Ridge’ Artists/Musicians, Isaac’s musicianship, dedication, work ethic, versatility and high-energy performances is immersing the scene, routinely bending brainwaves, and keeping listeners coming back for more.

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