Blue Ridge Music Center announces additional performers in summer series

The Blue Ridge Music Center recently announced the addition of headlining artists for four shows rounding out the 2026 Deep Roots, Many Voices Summer Concert Series lineup. The venue will welcome TopHouse, Songs From the Road Band, Laurelyn Dossett Band and Dori Freeman and From China to Appalachia to the summer series. This season, the BRMC celebrates 25 years of presenting live music on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The first summer concert series took place in 2002 when the outdoor amphitheater was newly completed. This season includes concerts commemorating the anniversary, a retrospective exhibition and events celebrating America's 250 years of independence. The performances are hosted on Saturday evenings in the outdoor amphitheater. Tickets for all 14 summer concerts and season passes are on sale now at BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org. Program Previews Songs From the Road Band celebrates Music From the Land of the Sky, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 30. This concert commemorates the 101st anniversary of the Historic 1925 Asheville Sessions — the first commercial music recordings made in Appalachia, and the fuse that ignited the ensuing "Big Bang of Country Music." The performance will include beloved old-time tunes made famous by the historic recordings. Songs From the Road Band is a dynamic and progressive bluegrass ensemble known for its compelling blend of Americana, roots and folk music. The band is celebrated for its intricate harmonies, masterful instrumentation and engaging live performances. The group weaves a rich tapestry of original songs and innovative covers, showcasing its ability to balance tradition with modern influences. Band members are Mark Schimick on mandolin, Charles Humphrey III on bass, Sam Wharton on guitar, James Schlender on fiddle and Gabe Epstein on banjo. Laurelyn Dossett Band and Dori Freeman are slated for 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 6. Singer/songwriter Laurelyn Dossett lives and writes in Stokes County, North Carolina. Her songs have appeared in film and television (Hell on Wheels, Ain't In it for My Health) and have been recorded by many artists, including Grammy winners Levon Helm (Anna Lee) and Rhiannon Giddens of the Carolina Chocolate Drops (Leaving Eden). Songs from Dossett's new record, "How Many Moons," produced by M.C. Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger, will be released starting in May, followed by the complete album in August. The Laurelyn Dossett Band features DaShawn Hickman on pedal steel, Chaisaray Schenck on drums and Butler Knowles on bass. Dori Freeman has sharpened her vision of Appalachian Americana over five studio albums. From the country traditionalism of her self-titled debut to the amplified folk and eclectic, electric nature of her more recent releases, it's a sound that nods to her mountain-town roots even as it reaches beyond them. Freeman sings with the unforced vibrato of a classic folk singer but is more of a modern trailblazer than a throwback traditionalist, funneling her Blue Ridge identity into a contemporary sound that's broad and bold. Her evolution as a singer, storyteller and songwriter is highlighted on her latest album, "Do You Recall," in tunes that explore the physical beauty, social challenges, and musical hallmarks of Appalachia with warmth and unflinching honesty. TopHouse takes the stage at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 18. TopHouse is a Montana-raised Americana/folk band located in Nashville. The group's members are Jesse Davis, Joe Larson, Will Cook and Andy LaFave. The band began as a duo in 2015 when two music composition majors at the University of Montana, guitarist/songwriter Jesse Davis and violinist William Cook, realized they loved playing music together. Joseph Larson, a singer, songwriter, and guitar/banjo player, joined the band in 2016. The addition of Larson vaulted TopHouse to local fame, with the Missoulian naming the group a 'top 5 best new band'. TopHouse moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2019. In 2020, they wrote, recorded and released their second album, "Snapshot," and in 2022, pianist Andy LaFave joined the band. From China to Appalachia arrives at at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug, 1. From China to Appalachia was born of a friendship and mutual love of musical exploration, and speaks to the power of music to connect cultures. American roots artists Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer join with Chinese classical hammered dulcimer player Chao Tian in a show that combines music from China to Appalachia and beyond. Their instrumentation includes yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer), gourd banjo, five-string banjo, ukulele, guitars, dumbek, cello-banjo and mandolin. The group's repertoire includes traditional Chinese and Appalachian songs as well as contemporary and traditional music from around the world. Unusual combinations explore new arrangements to old music, such as "Dark Eyes." Ukulele, yangqin and guitar create a new palette for this Russian folk song turned jazz manouche tune. Fink and Marxer join Tian in singing a Chinese lullaby, "Nani Wan," while Tian easily adds her love of American old-time music to fiddle tunes and songs. Full Concert Lineup May 16: Kids & Family Fun Day (free afternoon event) May 23: Shawn Camp May 30: Songs From the Road Band June 6: Laurelyn Dossett Band + Dori Freeman June 13: Steep Canyon Rangers June 20: The Martha Bassett Show June 27: The Burnett Sisters Band July 4: Mustard Cutters (free afternoon event) July 11: Kruger Brothers July 18: TopHouse July 25: Scythian Aug,1: From China to Appalachia Aug, 15: Trey Hensley Aug, 22: Seán Heely Celtic Band Aug, 29: Amanda Cook Band Sept. 5: Chatham Rabbits Concert tickets and season passes are available 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. For more information, call (866) 308-2773, ext. 212. About Blue Ridge Music Center The Blue Ridge Music Center 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. Programming at the BRMC 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.For more information, visit BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org. About the Blue Ridge ParkwayThe 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/