Rare Bird Cultural Arts is thrilled to announce the Doggett Gap Tiny Music & Heritage Festival, a celebration of roots music, craft, and community at Rare Bird Farm in rural Spring Creek, NC, on Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3, 2025. This intimate, family-friendly gathering showcases a diverse lineup of artists spanning Americana, country, folk, and Appalachian traditions, blending the old with the new in a setting designed to foster connection and creativity.
Friday, May 2 @ 6:00 PM through Saturday May 3rd @ 9:00 PM – Doggett Gap Tiny Music & Heritage Festival
The 2025 festival lineup features an incredible mix of emerging and established artists, including:
- Kassi Valazza
- Chris Acker
- Mike Gangloff & Kaily Schenker
- Weirs
- The Wilder Flower
- Nicholas Edward Williams
- Tyler Dodson
- Shelton Powe
Attendees can also enjoy immersive folklife and craft experiences, with featured artists-at-large leading interactive sessions:
- Shaped-Note Singing Workshop with Laura Boosinger
- Be Art Experiential Art with Jane Sleeper
- Appalachian Dance Lessons with Linda Block
Building on the success of last year’s Fine Tuned Sessions, which was created in collaboration with Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA), Rare Bird Cultural Arts sought to establish this as its signature spring festival. “We wanted to honor both our location and the musical roots of the region by renaming the festival after Doggett Gap, the mountain under which Rare Bird Farm sits, as well as the title of a Bascom Lamar Lunsford song,” said Farrah Hoffmire, Executive Director of Rare Bird Cultural Arts.
Rare Bird’s “tiny festival” model ensures an intimate and low-impact experience, keeping both the land and the community at the heart of the event. “We call them tiny festivals because we want to keep our impact low at Rare Bird Farm and have a max capacity of 200 people. This keeps our connection to the land front and center and allows for an intimate experience for all involved,” said Mitchell Davis, co-owner of Rare Bird Farm.
Supporting the Community and Regional Recovery
This year’s festival is especially important to Rare Bird Cultural Arts and the surrounding community in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which caused significant flooding damage to neighboring towns, including Hot Springs, NC. “In addition to celebrating local music and culture, we’re hoping to encourage visitors to come early for the festival, stay longer in our vacation rentals, and shop locally to help boost the regional economy as our neighbors rebuild,” said Farrah Hoffmire.
Visitors are also invited to participate in Town and Trail Fest on Friday, May 2, where volunteers will work together to clean, restore, and beautify downtown Hot Springs, which was devastated by flood damage. “It’s a great opportunity to help out in the community while enjoying the beautiful landscapes that make this region so special,” Hoffmire added. The volunteer event will take place from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in downtown Hot Springs.
50% of net proceeds from the Doggett Gap festival will be donated to the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and promoting the heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountains through music, craft, and storytelling initiatives.
With its intimate setting, world-class music, and hands-on folklife experiences, Doggett Gap Tiny Music & Heritage Festival promises a weekend of deep connection, creative exploration, and community celebration.
Tickets and more information: Doggett Gap Tiny Music & Heritage Festival
https://rarebirdfarm.org/performingarts/2025/5/2/doggett-gap-tiny-music-amp-heritage-festival
2025 Artists:
Kassi Valazza is a singer-songwriter hailing from Arizona. Her music blends classic country and folk influences with a modern, psychedelic twist, drawing inspiration from the expansive landscapes of her upbringing. Her 2019 debut album, Dear Dead Days, introduced her evocative storytelling and haunting melodies, earning her a dedicated following. In 2023, she released her sophomore album, Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing, further solidifying her place in the alternative country scene. Valazza’s work reflects her deep connection to the American West, capturing its vastness and mystique through her unique sound.
Chris Acker is a singer-songwriter known for his sharp storytelling, wry humor, and heartfelt songwriting. Rooted in folk and country traditions, his music blends classic honky-tonk sounds with a modern, poetic sensibility. Based in New Orleans, Acker’s songs capture everyday moments with a mix of wit, warmth, and raw honesty, drawing comparisons to John Prine and Blaze Foley. Whether performing solo or with his band, The Growing Boys, he brings a timeless charm to his music, crafting songs that feel both familiar and refreshingly original.
Weirs is a traditional and experimental music group based in Orange County, North Carolina. The band consists of Justin Morris and Oliver Child-Lanning, who blend elements of folk, ambient, and country music to create a unique sound that honors traditional roots while embracing modern experimentation. Their 2020 album, “Prepare to Meet God,” features interpretations of classic songs like “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Bright Morning Star.” In 2024, Weirs collaborated with Magic Tuber Stringband on “The Crozet Tunnel,” an album recorded live in Virginia’s Crozet Tunnel, capturing the raw energy of their performance in a unique acoustic environment. Weirs continues to contribute to North Carolina’s vibrant music scene with their innovative approach to traditional music.
Nicholas Edward Williams is a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based multi-instrumentalist, storyteller, and host of the roots music history podcast American Songcatcher. Dedicated to preserving and “playing it forward,” he explores the songs, stories, artists, and styles that have shaped American music, including ragtime, Piedmont blues, early country, traditional folk, and old-time. Over the past 15 years, Williams has toured extensively across the United States, the United Kingdom, Western Europe, and Australia, blending various roots music styles into his unique performances. His critically acclaimed 2021 album, Folk Songs for Old Times’ Sake, has been praised by notable figures in the roots community, such as David Holt, Oliver Wood, Dom Flemons, and JP Harris.
The Wilder Flower is an all-female trio from the Carolinas that blends folk, Americana, bluegrass, and old-time influences into a unique and fluid sound. They thrive on three-part harmonies, whether performing a two-chord old-time ballad or a modern, minor-filled melody. Instrumentally, they feature bluegrass banjo tunes, fiddle and clawhammer string-band songs, flatpicking guitar, and everything in between. Since forming in 2021, The Wilder Flower has toured extensively across North and South Carolina and performed at festivals nationwide. They released their debut album, If I Wait Anymore, in September 2024.
Tyler Dodson is a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Born in the foothills of the Sauratown Mountains in Stokes County, his music blends Americana, soul, and country influences, drawing inspiration from artists like John Prine, Tom Petty, and Otis Redding. Dodson’s debut album, “Live at the West Salem Public House,” was released in 2024, capturing his soulful performances and storytelling prowess. He has performed at venues such as The Stage on Broadway in Nashville and has opened for musician Sam Lewis. Dodson continues to captivate audiences with his heartfelt lyrics and dynamic musicality.
Mike Gangloff and Kaily Schenker – Mike Gangloff is an American musician renowned for his contributions to experimental and traditional Appalachian music. He is a founding member of the drone ensemble Pelt and the old-time band The Black Twig Pickers, where he showcases his skills on fiddle, banjo, and vocals. Throughout his career, Gangloff has collaborated with artists such as Steve Gunn and the late Jack Rose. His solo work includes the album “Evening Measures,” released in 2022. Gangloff continues to explore the intersections of traditional and avant-garde music, enriching the American folk landscape.
Shelton Powe is an American musician celebrated for his authentic interpretations of Piedmont blues and gospel traditions. Born in 1957 in Charlotte, North Carolina, he was immersed in a family rich with musical talent. Although his mother gifted him harmonicas and guitars during his youth, it wasn’t until the late 1980s, following the passing of his parents, that Powe deeply connected with the music of his upbringing. He began playing guitar as a tribute to his mother, delving into the old-time blues and gospel songs he remembered from his childhood. Relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, Powe became an active figure in the local blues scene, collaborating with notable artists such as Cora Mae Bryant, Neal Pattman, and Frank Edwards. His discography includes the album “Carolina Blues and Gospel,” released through the Music Maker Foundation. Powe’s performances are characterized by sincere vocals and adept fingerpicking guitar, transporting listeners to the heart of the Piedmont blues tradition.
“SHAPED” NOTE SINGING from the CHRISTIAN HARMONY: A WORKSHOP with Laura Boosinger
Laura Boosinger is a highly respected musician, banjo player, and educator known for her deep connection to Appalachian music traditions. Based in Western North Carolina, she has spent decades preserving and sharing the region’s rich musical heritage. A gifted clawhammer banjo player and singer, Laura is also a dedicated teacher of shape-note singing, a powerful, centuries-old form of communal music-making. Her work spans solo performances, collaborations with esteemed traditional musicians, and educational programs that bring mountain music to new generations. Laura’s passion for Appalachian culture shines through her recordings, performances, and workshops, making her a beloved figure in the folk and old-time music communities.
SPIRIT OF THE LAND: INTERACTIVE ART SPACE with Jane Sleeper
Spring Creek Artist, Jane Sleeper will create a creative, supported, and connective space for concert goes to creative art for the land or allow Jane to paint on your body for a fun and connective experience.
APPALACHIAN DANCE LESSONS with Linda Block
Linda Block is a seasoned Appalachian dancer, performer, and instructor with a passion for clogging and flatfooting. A member of the Green Grass Cloggers since 2009, she has performed and taught at festivals across western North Carolina and east Tennessee. She offers classes for all ages and skill levels, including private lessons and AirBnB experiences, and has taught at the John C. Campbell Folk School and Handmade Music School. With a diverse dance background spanning contra, swing, zydeco, and international folk styles, she has won multiple solo clogging competitions and contributed choreography to theatrical productions. Linda’s freestyle improvisational dance, often performed on her wooden step-a-tune platform, highlights the intricate rhythms of live Appalachian old-time music, making her both a skilled educator and a dynamic performer.
This festival is presented with the generous support of the Madison County Tourism & Development Authority.
