Bands & Musicians in North Carolina

The Blue Ridge foothills produced bluegrass through Earl Scruggs's banjo style and Doc Watson's flatpicking, while the Piedmont gave country blues in Blind Boy Fuller and Elizabeth Cotten. Chapel Hill and the Triangle later became an indie rock stronghold around Merge Records, Charlotte grew a charting hip-hop scene, and the coast keeps its beach music and shag dancing tradition. Asheville now anchors Americana and jam-band touring.

Cat's Cradle in Carrboro anchors the Triangle, with Motorco in Durham and the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh nearby. Asheville's Orange Peel and Grey Eagle cover national and regional tours, and Charlotte fills The Fillmore and the Neighborhood Theatre. MerleFest in Wilkesboro draws the Americana faithful each spring.

Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson defined the mountain sound, Elizabeth Cotten wrote Freight Train in the Chapel Hill area, and James Taylor grew up there. The Avett Brothers came out of Concord, Superchunk built Chapel Hill indie, and J. Cole came up in Fayetteville.

The Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill Triangle has the deepest club and open-mic circuit, fed by three universities. Asheville suits roots and jam players, Boone and Wilmington add college and coastal scenes, and Charlotte works for hip-hop and R&B. Musicians between the hubs can find collaborators across the state on BandMate.