Tim Elliott, Wayne Henderson and others set to perform at Christmas in July

The 2023 Christmas in July Festival has another great musical lineup with country music rising star Tim Elliott and local music legend Wayne Henderson taking the stage during the two-day festival.

Friday’s music schedule

Steve Lewis, Eric Hardin, Randy Greer, and Josh Scott, 5:30 — 6:45 p.m.

Steve Lewis, Eric Hardin, Randy Greer, and Josh Scott will kick off the entertainment. This local band will surely delight the crowd with their talent and crowd-pleasing selections. Featuring Steve Lewis, national banjo champion, Eric Hardin on guitar, Josh Hardin on bass, and Randy Greer, known as an ex- pert mandolinist. These musicians all call Ashe County home and have performed regionally and nationally. Traditional bluegrass music with nods to old-time, folk, gospel, and newer contemporary bluegrass will be part of the repertoire.

Liam Purcell and Cane Mill Road, 7 — 8:15 p.m.

Liam Purcell and Cane Mill Road will take the stage at 7 p.m. Growing up in Deep Gap just down the road from Doc Watson, Liam Purcell leads Cane Mill Road as they rock the traditional bluegrass standards they were raised on, yet boldly write original music with roots in the fertile grounds of bluegrass, old-time and Americana.

Special Occasion Band, 8:30 — 10 p.m.

For more than 20 years, Special Occa- sion Band has entertained young and old all over the Carolinas. Come and make this occasion one to remember, as this band always aims to please and play a song that will bring back special memories.

Saturday’s music schedule

Jeff Little Trio, 10 — 11:30 a.m. Jeff will mesmerize the crowd with his fast work on the ivories. He plays with a distinctive two-handed style influenced by the mountain flat-picked guitar tradition and regional musicians like Doc Watson.

Tim Elliott, 11:45 a.m. — 1:45 p.m. Tim Elliott, described as a genuine rising country star, has Ashe County roots

SEE BANDS ON PAGE 13

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 and will bring his band for a special appearance starting at 11:45 a.m. Tim started his touring business from the ground up. He performs in Nashville, Myrtle Beach, and venues across the Southeast. Tim is a powerhouse singer, and Christmas in July is honored to have Tim and his band perform for the first time at this year’s festival.

Wayne Henderson & Friends, 2:15 — 3:15 p.m.

Wayne Henderson & Friends will follow Tim Elliott. Wayne is always a local favorite with his stories and playing. His finger-picking guitar playing has been enjoyed at Carnegie Hall and across the globe. Herb Key often joins Wayne and is also a favorite. Herb Key grew up in a musical family in Wilkes County, and he has played music for most of his life, spending more than 30 years making, repairing and restoring instruments.

Lucky Strikes Orchestra, 3 — 4:30 p.m.

The Lucky Strikes Orchestra will be the closing act and plan to perform a variety of Motown, Beach, Swing and Classic Rock. For over a decade, Lucky Strikes have delighted and entertained audiences in western North Carolina with their unique brand of fun, upbeat, danceable music and humor.

From Motown, Beach and Swing, to Classic Rock-nRoll 50s-80s, their timeless playlist appeals to the young and the young at heart.