Routes the the River Music & Cultural Arts Festival

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Experience Music & Cultural Arts in Downtown Newport, TN

Cruz Contreras

Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer–Cruz Contreras was the founder and frontman for the Black Lillies, cofounder of Robinella and the CCStringband, collaborator with musicians ranging Jim Lauderdale to Langhorne Slim, and appearing on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and other outlets like Rolling Stone magazine. Contreras released his debut solo album, ‘Cosmico’, on September 15, 2023.

Amanda Fields and Megan McCormick

Amanda Fields and Megan McCormick have both been mainstays in the East Nashville music scene for years. McCormick is best known for her inventive guitar work and playing with people like Jenny Lewis, Michelle Branch, and Allison Russell; Fields for her Appalachian-tinged singing and award-winning songwriting.

The two met at local record store, Grimey’s New & Preloved Music, in 2019 and have written, recorded and performed together since. Fields’ debut full-length album, What, When and Without, produced by McCormick, was released in February 2023 to critical acclaim. McCormick has released a string of singles over the past few years, including a collaboration with Jenny Lewis, “Rake Me Over the Coals”. McCormick’s latest album, Are and Be, came out August 11, 2023.

In addition to their work as individual artists, McCormick and Fields have released several collaborative tracks and co-founded the record label/artist collective, Are and Be Recordings, in 2020.

Jonathan Keeney Bio:
Jonathan Keeney is a pedal steel guitarist and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles, CA. Keeney’s formative years were spent in Knoxville, TN where he was introduced to and surrounded by the musical traditions of Appalachia including folk, country and bluegrass. Born to musical parents, he was raised with both his father’s folk guitar stylings and his mother’s classical piano often filling the home. This foundation not only led to a deep appreciation for music at a young age, it would also spark what would later prove to be a lifelong passion and pursuit.
Jonathan has played with The Black Lillies, Lee Ann Womack, The War and Treaty and is highly regarded for the delicacy, precision, and originality of his playing.

Kukuly and the Fuego

'Kukuly and the Fuego' is a Knoxville based acoustic ensemble that plays Hot Jazz inspired by the music of legendary French Gypsy guitarist, Django Reinhardt, and jazz violinist, Stephane Grappelli. The band's extensive repertoire includes swing standards, ballads, bossa novas, waltzes, Latin songs and other vintage-jazz sources done in uniquely arranged styles making this band's shows fun and energetic yet full of virtuosity and class. Playing everything from Django Reinhardt through Gershwin and Antonio Carlos Jobim, 'Kukuly and the Fuego' plays jazz that knows no borders. The lineup includes: Guitarist and vocalist Kukuly Uriarte; Violinist Seth Hopper; Guitarist Jake Bryd and Cellist Andy Bryenton.

Boogertown Gap

Boogertown Gap is Ruth Barber and Keith Watson, husband and wife from Pittman Center TN, in the Great Smoky Mountains. Together they perform Old-Time Mountain Music as Boogertown Gap Old-Time String Band. Their musical performance includes stories and history of the music, ballads, fiddle tunes, dance tunes and spirituals performed in traditional style and on traditional instruments: fiddle, guitar, claw-hammer style banjo, pennywhistle, spoons, washboard, washtub bass and Native American flute. They have 5 published CD’s. They are joined by fiddler and multi-instrumentalist Austin Stovall from Rocky Top, TN. Austin has performed with Boogertown Gap since 2007. This group will really get your toes tapping, your sprit lifted and you might even want to dance! Boogertown Gap has performed at many schools and festivals as well as regular performances for Tunes and Tales in Gatlinburg.

Todd Wright

With accolades too numerous to count and audiences worldwide clamoring for more, gifted multi-instrumentalist, Todd Wright reigns supreme among today's most popular purveyors of old-time mountain melodies so beloved throughout our region but also beyond due largely because every time this talented artist takes center stage something magical happens! Whether pickin', strummin,' or singing about a life lived hard, up yonder way, from many generations passed down through song over endless campfire jams long ago, now faithfully recreated wherever folks are craving Real Deal roots music. Todd was part of the Hee Haw show and worked for The Gibson Company for many years. He was the Director for the Nashville Old Time String Band "Breakin' Up Winter Festival" and has been living in Hartford, TN.

AniKituhwa

The Warriors of AniKituhwa are revitalizing Cherokee dance by recreating the War Dance and Eagle Tail Dance as described in 1762. They are painted red and wear clothing and jewelry that are accurate reproductions of 18th century Cherokee styles. Their program includes the War Dance and Eagle Tail Dance along with a discussion of the significance of these dances. They perform Cherokee social dances and include the audience. They also participate in 18th century reenactments.
They provide a one-hour dance program. Individual dancers can provide performances of flute playing, storytelling, and lectures on Cherokee history, culture, and language.

Lew Bolton

Lew Bolton currently tells Wiley Oakley stories and Jack Tales. He considers the Smoky Mountains his adopted home since 1976. Lew created Smoky Mountain Jack Tales Storytelling Theatre in 1987 and still performs at Adventure Bound Camping Resort. In 2011, he began his experience with Wiley Oakley, Roamin’ Man of the Mountains (1885-1954). He has told Wiley Oakley tales four times at Wilderness Wildlife Week (Pigeon Forge), Smoky Mountain Historical Society and Smoky Mountain Storytelling Association (member of both), Sevierville’s Bloomin’ BBQ, Greenbrier Music Festival, Sugarlands Festival of Christmas Past, libraries in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, etc. Lew, also, is administrator of a Wiley Oakley Facebook group and YouTube Channel.