Blue Ridge Music Center announces more concerts in its summer series

The Blue Ridge Music Center has announced six more of the 14 headlining artists appearing as part of the 2026 Deep Roots, Many Voices Summer Concert Series scheduled for Saturday evenings in the outdoor amphitheater. Tickets for these shows and season passes are now on sale at BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org. The complete lineup and schedule for the annual summer concert series will be released in April. This season, the Music Center celebrates 25 years of presenting live music on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The first annual summer concert series took place in 2002 in the then newly-completed outdoor amphitheater. The 2026 season will include concerts commemorating this anniversary, a retrospective exhibition, and events celebrating America's 250 years of independence. The venue welcomes back The Burnett Sisters Band, The Kruger Brothers, Scythian, and Amanda Cook Band. Appearing on the Music Center stage for the first time is the Seán Heely Celtic Band, and a special live taping of The Martha Bassett Show. Program Preview The Music Center plans to present a special "On The Road" edition of "The Martha Bassett Show," on Saturday, June 20. "The Martha Bassett Show" is a weekly, live radio program airing on 88.5 WFDD that blends the fabric of the national roots and Americana scene with the rich artistry, history and flair of North Carolina's Piedmont region. Helmed by one of the state's most distinguished musicians, the live show features national artists, fresh local faces, and the music of Martha Bassett. This live taping will feature special guests collaborating in song and conversation with Bassett and her band. The Burnett Sisters return to the Music Center stage on Saturday, June 27. The Burnett Sisters Band has played for over thirteen years and continues to share traditional music all across the United States, Ireland, England, and Canada. All gifted multi-instrumentalists, they bring an exciting energy and modern flair to each performance, while remaining true to the traditional roots of the music. With a repertoire that pulls from bluegrass and old-time, swing, folk, and country, this Billboard charting band lends an authenticity and a feeling of genuine expression rarely matched in today's traditional music. The band includes siblings Anissa, Sophia and Anneli Burnett from Boone, North Carolina, along with Geary Allen from Minster, England. Fan favorites The Krüger Brothers bring their classical-inspired bluegrass to the stage on Saturday, July 11. The Krüger Brothers are known for their long association with Merlefest, where they first played in 1977, and have appeared every year since. They have earned widespread acclaim and developed a devoted following for their innovative fusion of bluegrass, folk, and classical music. Their unique sound has made them a fixture within the world of acoustic music and one of North Carolina's most popular roots music groups. Inspired by artists as musically diverse as Doc Watson, Eric Clapton, and Beethoven, The Krüger Brothers' music epitomizes the spirit of exploration that forms the core of the American musical tradition. Scythian returns to the Music Center with their Celtic-inspired high energy music on Saturday, July 25. Scythian plays roots music from Celtic, Eastern European and Appalachian traditions with thunderous energy, technical prowess, and storytelling songwriting, beckoning crowds into a barn-dance, rock concert experience. Nashville's Music City Roots says Scythian is 'what happens when rock star charisma meets Celtic dervish fiddling', and The Washington Post claims "Scythian's enthusiasm is contagious, and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around or hoisting glasses." The foursome made up of Alexander Fedoryka (vocals, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica), Danylo Fedoryka (vocals, guitar, accordion), Ethan Dean (vocals, upright and electric bass, percussion, guitar) and Johnny Rees (vocals, drums, percussion) brings various influences together to create a conglomerate which is technically precise and steeped in various folk traditions. Scythian's musical fusion keeps the audience entertained and moving. Get swept away by the irresistible energy of the Seán Heely Celtic Band on Saturday, Aug. 22. With a powerful blend of ancient melodies from Scotland and Ireland, vibrant rhythms from Galicia and Brittany, and original modern compositions, Seán Heely Celtic Band creates a rich musical journey through the Celtic world. Their groove and drive will have audiences of all ages tapping their feet and dancing in their seats. From Scots Gaelic ballads and sea shanties to pub songs and fiery fiddle and bagpipe tunes, Seán Heely Celtic Band brings the timeless spirit of Celtic folk music to life. The ensemble explores the rich space between traditional Celtic roots and modern musical expression, creating a sound that is both deeply rooted and vibrantly contemporary. Members include acclaimed multi-instrumentalist & All-Ireland singing champion Kevin Elam, percussive dancer Agi Kovacs, bagpiper Tom Cangelosi, and bouzouki player Beth Patterson. Amanda Cook returns to the Music Center stage on Saturday, Aug. 29. Amanda Cook has left an indelible mark on the bluegrass scene. With her down-to-earth style, profound connection with her audience, and distinctive vocal range, she quickly achieved popularity. Fueling a fire to record and tour professionally, Cook made the move from Jay, Florida, to the mountains of Virginia to record with Mountain Fever Records and work there as an engineer. In 2022 she was named Chief Operation Officer of Mountain Fever Records. Band members include Carolyne Van Lierop on banjo and harmony vocals, Josh Faul on upright bass and harmony vocals, Troy Boone on mandolin and harmony vocals, George Mason on fiddle and Justin Alexander on lead guitar. These bands join the previously-announced lineup for the 2026 Deep Roots, Many Voices series. More artists will be announced in April. Concert tickets and season passes are available now at BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org. The Blue Ridge Music Center is located at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, just south of Galax, Virginia, and 30 minutes from Sparta and Mount Airy, North Carolina. Event InformationAdvance tickets are available for all shows at BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org.For prices and additional information, call (866) 308-2773, ext. 212. ••• The Blue Ridge Music Center, located at Milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Galax, Virginia, preserves, interprets and presents the evolving musical traditions of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Music Center is a national park facility, a major attraction along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a venue partner of The Crooked Road, Virginia's Heritage Music Trail, and Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina. For more information, visit BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org. The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park to the north with Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the south. The route travels the crests, ridges, and valleys of five major mountain ranges, encompassing several geographic and vegetative zones ranging from 600 to more than 6,000 feet above sea level. It provides visitors with many varied vistas of scenic Appalachian landscapes ranging from forested ridgetops and mountain slopes to rural farm lands and urban areas. The Parkway offers a "ride-a-while, stop-a-while" experience that includes scenic pullouts, recreation areas, historic sites and visitor contact stations. It is known nationally and internationally for its designed landscape as a scenic motorway. nps.gov/blri/ Programming at the Music Center is supported by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising partner of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The organization helps to ensure cultural and historical preservation, natural resource protection, educational outreach, and visitor enjoyment now and for future generations. To learn more, visit BRPFoundation.org.