Tag: 2025

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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