Date: SATURDAY, September 21st, 2024
Type of Show: NC Songwriters
Showtime: 7:30 pm
Tickets: $20
The ArtsCenter and Bob Vasile present a magical evening with four of NC’s finest musicians: Bob’s friends Nancy Middleton, Jack Herrick and Mary Johnson Rockers. Join us for an evening of songwriter stories from the road, performances, and interactive learning and fun with questions from the audience. We look forward to sharing this special evening with you and four of NC’s well-known and accomplished musicians.
Bob Vasile
Bob Vasile, a powerful fixture in the Triangle music scene, found his musical roots in British Isles traditional music. He was a founding member with Jane Peppler, of the North Carolina group the Pratie Heads. Bob has taught guitar at the Augusta Heritage Schools “Irish Week” and has shared the stage and recordings with Seamus Eagan, Mick Maloney, Zan Mcleod and Tommy Hayes, the percussionist for Riverdance. In 1989 Bob joined forces with Freyda Epstein and Ralph Gordon, formerly of Trapezoid, in the group Acoustic Atta-tude. Their Red House recording of “Midnight at Cabell Hall” was recognized as one of the three best folk recordings of the year by NAIRD (National Association for Independent Music). They toured with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and shared the stage with Tony Rice, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall and Mark O’Conner. Bob’s original composition “Atta-tude in AM” has been featured on “All Things considered” as well as Minnesota Public Radio, “The Morning Show”. In 1996, Bob won a signed Wayne Henderson guitar at the Wayne Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition.
Nancy Middleton
A proud native of Durham, NC, Nancy Middleton began her music career playing country music in the 90’s. Her very first gig was opening for Asleep at the Wheel and from that moment on Nancy realized that performing live was the creative rush she longed for. Her first record of all original songs, Homeland, was beloved by her fans, and as the songs kept pouring out, she soon followed with the release of The Way I Do. She gained national attention when the Nancy Middleton Band was voted “One of the Top Unsigned Bands in the Country” by Musician Magazine. She was featured in Billboard Magazine, as “one of North Carolina’s most underrated artists”. Being encouraged by the recognition Nancy packed up and moved herself to Nashville, TN. There she honed her writing while playing songwriter nights all about town including multiple shows at the famous Bluebird Café. After taking a break to raise a family, she returned with them Durham and began performing around the area as a song-writer; solo or with a full band. Nancy is also a member of The Goodloves – a trio that focuses on harmonies and songs with soul. In 2015 she released her third record of all original material entitled Loaded. When asked about her current musical journey she says “I am happier than ever for opportunities to perform and share my songs with people. It is a true joy to connect with others through music!”
Jack Herrick
Jack Herrick is a performer, composer and artistic director with The Red Clay Ramblers and has traveled the world on commercial and State Department tours. He’s composed and recorded music for dozens of plays, musicals, films, and dance pieces working with artists from Sam Shepard to Randy Newman, Bill Irwin, and Joseph Haj. Jack is currently a composer and performer at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and will appear in this season’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Jack’s currently working with the Ramblers and choreographer Christian Denise on a new piece premiering at the Washington Shakespeare Theater entitled Book of Stones.
Mary Johnson Rockers
Mary Johnson Rockers is a singer-songwriter and member of the band Nantahala, an indie folk band from the North Carolina Piedmont whose harmony-rich music draws from mountain roots, soul and country. Mary has 3 full-length albums and 2 EPs under her belt and has been noted for “songs that are catchy, well written and eclectic…nearly irresistible.” (Chris Parker, Indyweek). In addition to recording and performing with local notables and her lifelong friend Miriam Chicurel-Bayard, Mary brings her voice to disruptive peace and advocacy efforts. You may have heard her at anti-nuke demonstrations in Oak Ridge, TN, events for worker and immigrant rights in Raleigh, or in the protest music repertoire of the celebrated NC Music Love Army. Most of her songwriting these days happens in the car when she finds time between raising 2 school-aged boys and providing therapy as a clinical social worker in Durham.