Blue Dogs + Dillon Fence

Overview

BLUE DOGS

Since their earliest days in 1987, the Blue Dogs have been blending the genres they grew up with - bluegrass, country, rock & soul, “turning bluegrass on its ear by creating what’s now referred to as ‘Americana’ or ‘alternative country’ before those terms were commonplace” [Charlotte Observer]. More than 30 years later, the Blue Dogs continue to play 50-100 shows a year. Fans that have been with them since the beginning stay close to the pack for the unpredictability of their live shows. Known for breaking the fourth wall and interacting with their audience, the Blue Dogs shine when the environment allows for spontaneity. Lead singer Bobby Houck and upright bassist Hank Futch founded the band while attending Davidson College. When both relocated back to the Carolinas in 1990, they were joined by another SC native, Phillip Lammonds. His and Houck’s songwriting partnership contributed significantly to the Blue Dogs’ three major studio recordings, Blue Dogs (1997), Letters from Round O (1999), & Halos and Good Buys (2004). The Blue Dogs have spent two decades of songwriting and sharing the stage with artists like Willie Nelson, Hootie & the Blowfish, Cracker, Bruce Hornsby, and Widespread Panic. Bobby and Hank, along with Dan Hood (guitar), Parker Dewitt (drums), and Charlie Thompson (pedal steel) make up the band, often joined by James Bernabe (mandolin), Jamie Harper (fiddle), and Travis Allison (keyboard). They continue to perform all along the East Coast on a regular basis.

DILLON FENCE

It’s been 30 years since students at UNC and Wake Forest formed Dillon Fence. They put out their own record and spread the gospel of Chapel Hill as a new music mecca. They played thousands of gigs together during their initial 9 year run, eventually touring the United States, Canada, and Europe as a Mammoth/Atlantic Records touring act. The band has reunited for a few shows every year since 2001... for many, Dillon Fence’s music catalog is big part of the soundtrack to their youth.