Tour Stop: Asheville, NC

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountain Range, Asheville, North Carolina offers some of the most beautiful outdoor vistas anywhere in the Southeast. Travelers have long flocked to Asheville to enjoy hiking, camping, rock climbing, mountain biking or just to take in the changing colors. However, in addition to its natural beauty and noteworthy in-town art scene, Asheville boasts an impressive musical past rooted in Southern heritage and Americana music. Today, musicians of all genres flock to Asheville to perform on its venerable stages. Asheville is home to a number of outdoor music festivals throughout the year, including the annual Bele Chere Festival and Shindig on the Green, which features local bluegrass and jam sessions each week during the summer months. In addition to country, bluegrass and traditional mountain music, Asheville has a number of well-respected live music venues that cater to all genres of music all year long.

Book a Gig: Venues

Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria
42 Biltmore Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 255-0504
www.barleystaproom.com
Housed in a renovated 1920s appliance store, Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria is an 8,000-square-foot pizzeria, pub and music venue in the heart of the arts and entertainment district. The stage showcases live bluegrass, jazz and Americana music three to four nights a week with no cover charge. The restaurant serves pizza, lasagna and sandwiches, and the downstairs bar is equipped with 24 taps featuring some of the region’s best beers.

The Grey Eagle
185 Clingman Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-5800
www.thegreyeagle.com
Located in the River District, The Grey Eagle is one of Asheville’s most famous music venues. The 610-capacity, all-ages venue hosts shows almost every night of the year in a variety of genres. While the venue is dedicated to supporting up-and-coming artists, The Grey Eagle does not book artists making a first trip to Western North Carolina. The venue generally does not accept unsolicited submissions. However, if you see a band listed on the venue calendar without an opening act, you may email booking@thegreyeagle.com or the artist directly to inquire about being added to the bill.

The Emerald Lounge
112 N. Lexington Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-4372
The Emerald Lounge books roots, reggae, funk, jazz and hip-hop acts. Established and nationally touring bands get paid a guaranteed flat fee and up-and-coming artists get the door. For information about booking at The Emerald Lounge, call the venue.

The Orange Peel
101 Biltmore Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 225-5851
www.theorangepeel.net
The Orange Peel is one of Asheville’s best live music venues. The 942-capacity club primarily books nationally touring acts that travel with their own support, but on rare occasions local artists are offered opening slots. The venue does not accept demo submissions in the mail. Bands interested in opening for a specific band can either contact the band directly or email a request with information on previous bookings and other pertinent information to booking@theorangepeel.net. The venue management regrets that it cannot respond to every email request.

Westville Pub
777 Haywood Rd.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 225-9782
www.westvillepub.com
Westville Pub is located in historic West Asheville. It is a smoke-free pub, restaurant and music venue that features an impressive menu of microbrews and imported and domestic beers. The restaurant also serves sandwiches, appetizers and light meals. Westville Pub hosts national and local blues, reggae, rock, bluegrass, country and folk acts. Promotional kits and demos can be sent to Greg Turner at the venue address listed above. For booking inquiries, do not call the venue; email booking@westvillepub.com.

Stella Blue
31 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 236-2424
www.stellabluelive.com
In the heart of downtown Asheville, Stella Blue is a membership-only music venue that hosts both national and local acts. Membership is open to those 21 and up and can be purchased for $1. For more information about booking, email the venue via MySpace at www.myspace.com/stellabluelive.

Promote a GIG: Media

Mountain Express
2 Wall St.
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 251-1331
www.mountainx.com
Mountain Express is a weekly independent news, arts and events paper serving Asheville and the Western North Carolina area. Send a CD, glossy photo and press kit to Melanie McGee. For more information, email mmcgee@mountainx.com.

The Asheville Citizen-Times
PO Box 2090
Asheville, NC 28802
(828) 252-5610
www.citizen-times.com
The Asheville Citizen-Times is one of the main newspapers covering the Asheville and Western North Carolina area. Mail a glossy photo and CD to entertainment editor Tony Kiss at the address listed above, call him at (828) 232-2855 or email him at tkiss@citizen-times.com for more information.

WNCW/88.7FM
Isothermal Community College
PO Box 804
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 287-8000
www.wncw.org
A great college station that features a broad range of music, on-air interviews and airtime for local musicians. Send a press kit and CD to the music director, Martin Anderson, or call him at extension 349.

Gear/ Repairs

Music City Asheville
1408 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 253-8735
This shop specializes in guitars, drums, PAs and amps. The staff frequently handles emergency gear repairs for both local and touring musicians.

Musician’s Workshop
319 Merrimon Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252-1249
www.musiciansworkshop.com
Musician’s Workshop serves both professional and amateur musicians. It is the only store in Western North Carolina with complete “in-house” musical instrument repair facilities.