Monthly Archives October 2013

One of the things that makes you appreciate, REALLY appreciate, The Party Line is the versatility of the musicians.  The Party Line musicians don’t just play one instrument — they ALL move around, comfortably, as Nora Jane’s sets unfold.

Joe Overton is a remarkable example of this versatility.  Originally from Smithville, TN, Joe has been traveling and playing music across the U. S. and Europe since 2007. Joe features a thrilling banjo, but he also plays guitar, fiddle, and pedal steel.  Joe sings on many of Nora Jane’s beautiful songs, and he is an accomplished songwriter of his own.

Joe spent years studying and teaching Old-Time fiddle and banjo music, and, before moving back to Tennessee to join The Party Line,  was living in Charlottesville, VA, fronting the Honky Tonk band The Clear Blue Sky.  In 2012, Joe also spent some time touring Ireland with the New York-based old-time roots band, Tumbling Bones.

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Nora Jane and The Party Line are honored to have been selected to announce the 2014 lineup for MerleFest!  Throughout their Fall Tour, Nora Jane & TPL will be posting video clips announcing another artist who will be sharing the bill at this most wonderful festival!

Nora Jane had the honor of announcing Locus Honey String Band and Town Mountain here:

 

MerleFest’s Steve Johnson got things started with the Road to MerleFest by letting Nora Jane & TPL make the first announcement — that Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line were themselves selected to play MerleFest 2014:

If you aren’t familiar with MerleFest, you should be!  MerleFest is considered one of the premier music festivals in the country, serving as an annual homecoming for musicians and music fans on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the late Eddy Merle Watson, son of American music legend Doc Watson, who passed away May 29, 2012.  MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of music based on the traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, country, blues, rock and many other styles. The festival hosts over 90 artists, performing on 14 stages during the course of the four-day event. The annual event has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.

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Have you listened carefully to Nora Jane’s original song Travelin’ On?  Or seen a live performance of Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line?  Who is that guy clapping throughout?

It’s Party Line drummer Drew Lawhorn — a Salem, Virginia-born drummer who started performing professionally at age 13!  Drew started out playing snare drum in the high school marching band, and at age 16, he became a drum instructor and taught private lessons to students.  At 17, after high school, Drew was hired on by several high schools as a drumline instructor where he wrote, arranged and taught percussion.

He has played with Robert Randolph, John Popper and Tim O’Brien; and his style draws from main influences such as Carter Beauford, Kenny Malone and Buddy Rich.  Drew now lives in Nashville, TN and tours full time with Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line.  Have a question for Drew?  Want to know where The Party Line will be playing next?  Follow The Party Line at https://www.facebook.com/Norajane!

Nora Jane, Drew & Joe at the Americana Music Festival -- September 22, 2013
Nora Jane Struthers, Drew Lawhorn & Joe Overton at the Americana Music Festival — September 22, 2013

Photograph courtesy of Ana Gilbert — www.anagilbert.com

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