January Jams is held in the ballroom at the Martha Washington Inn and Spa, Abingdon, Virginia. Shows are at 7 p.m., and tickets range from $25 to $300, plus fees. General admission tickets are $25. VIP Backstage tickets are $75 and include a pre-party at the Martha’s backstage speakeasy pop-up, two drink tickets and hors d’oeuvres. A Full Series Package is $75. A Full Series with VIP Backstage Package is $300. For tickets, visit here.
Hot Brown Smackdown and The Boys perform Jan. 10. Hot Brown Smackdown is a dynamic, high-energy newgrass band hailing from Louisville, Kentucky. Known for their electrifying live performances and unique sound, the band combines traditional bluegrass instrumentation with elements of rock, jazz and funk to create a sound that is both avant-garde and timeless.
The Boys are more than a band — they’re a mindset. Hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia, they’re a shape-shifting collective of musicians who blend bluegrass roots with everything from folk and funk to jazz and jamgrass. Armed with bass, percussion, guitars, keys and often multiple mandolins, The Boys are both acoustic and electric, always eclectic.
Magnolia Boulevard and Charlie Maples perform Jan. 17. Formed in Lexington, Kentucky, Magnolia Boulevard is a rapidly rising ensemble in the same vein as Tedeschi Trucks Band, Bonnie Raitt or Grace Potter. It’s Southern rock and the Delta blues, all with a hearty helping of Americana and Appalachian soul.
Charlie Maples mines the classic jazz catalogues, calls out with the Rhythm and the Blues, and flirts with the wavelength of Michael McDonald. The band’s members represent combined decades of musical exploration, performance, touring, composing and recording in genres ranging from jazz, classical, folk and hip-hop, to R&B, old time, rock and ambient.
Locals may remember the famed beach parties of Abingdon’s past. This January, they are bringing the spirit of the beach party back to Abingdon with a special beach party themed show with The Tams and Big Lon Jan. 24.
A “beach” music favorite, The Tams were among the popular up-tempo soul groups of the ‘60s. They scored their biggest hit in 1963 with “What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am).” Their show is fun, fresh and exciting and appeals to audiences of all ages and musical tastes.
Big Lon discovers the musical heritage of Southern Appalachia one dusty old record at a time. He collects and researches obscure 45 rpm and 78 rpm records from the independent studios and record labels in East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and the surrounding region. He hosts “Diggin’ With Big Lon,” a weekly vinyl record show, on WBCM Radio Bristol as well as the Kingsport Funfest annual event Big Lon’s Vinyl Record Expo. Expect a fun opening DJ set of record spinning.
True Loves and Post Bop Revival take the stage Jan. 31. Listening to the abundant sounds of the Seattle-based funk & soul group, True Loves, is like walking down a favorite neighborhood street, slapping five with friends, checking up with clerks in their stores and smelling the familiar scents of your most cherished locale. The band is its own block party.
Post Bop Revival is a collective of talented musicians having a blast playing improvisational funky jazz.
