Hearts Gone South and Songs from the Road Band played Border Bash Bristol on the day after the solstice. This stellar lineup brought extra heat to the hot day turned into a beautiful evening as the Strawberry full moon rose. It was such a fun time getting to see these friends performing in two states at the same time. 

Bristol Tennessee/Virginia sits at the border and this fun music centered festival sets the stage up in the center of town, on the state line. Border Bash Bristol is a free summer concert series held annually in downtown. Absolutely picturesque place in a little mountain town with historic charm - definitely worth the gorgeous drive from Asheville, especially with all the great music they have coming through.

Hearts Gone South describe themselves as "original classic style country full of heart and soul, laced with wit and woe." Led by the stunningly gorgeous and stellar human, Tricia, backed by the most wonderful band of great guys - I am always blown away by their performances. LOVED getting to steal her away for a few portraits in the middle of main street before their show. Keep an eye out for more from this great group - they are constantly recording new music and collaborating with other artists. The videos for some of their songs are worth seeking out. Until next time, Hearts Gone South!

Members of Songs from the Road Band, an energetic and inspired Asheville based bluegrass band, joined Lyndsay Pruett for an awesome performance after Hearts Gone South wrapped their set ❤️ 

A family emergency kept the Jon Stickley Trio, the original headliner for the evening, from being able make it, so they had some great friends step in to help. Lyndsay (Jon Stickley Trio's phenomenal fiddle player) was joined by three of the talented members of Songs from the Road Band. Mark Schmick on mandolin, Sam Wharton on guitar, and Charles Humphrey III on bass, these four entertaining the crowd while playing and amazing set in two states at once as the sun dropped below the horizon. So glad I stuck around to catch that awesome show. Looking forward to seeing these players jamming  again soon! 

If you get a chance to visit Bristol, GO! I need to get back up there again soon with time to explore and shoot some film as that downtown calls for it.  And they have lots of great live music happening all the time! I'll be back soon, Bristol! 

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Bands: Hearts Gone South

Songs from the Road Band with Lyndsay Pruett

Location: Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee

Event: Border Bash Bristol

On the second Saturday of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival, George Porter Jr and the Runnin’ Pardners played the Festival stage on the fairgrounds. They were joined by a great lineup of brass - Erion Williams on sax, Jeff Albert on trombone, and Tracy Griffin on trumpet. Playing a setlist of classic Meters and Funky Meters and a variety of other funk classics, they kept the crowd moving the whole time. I am still reeling in all the amazing music and talent I witnessed and captured along the way – and finding words to put with this show’s photos has been especially difficult as that was such an amazing experience! Seeing them on the big stage with the sea of people watching was sight to behold and capture – the crowd and musicians were all having so much fun! 

It was truly a pleasure to work with these stellar humans and talented musicians on a wide variety of stages all around New Orleans over the course of my Jazzfest adventures. George Porter, Jr. is a such a wonderful person, epic bass player, and bright light in the musical community as he continuously works with so many players to cultivate and continue the New Orleans Funk traditions. Michael Lemmler is an equally awesome person and impressive musician – bringing the funkiest of funk on his keyboards. Being some of the best humans must be a requirement in this band as Terrence and Chris are great people as well. Terrence Houston, ‘the Groove Guardian’ on the drums keeping the grooves in time while playing off the band in and making it look easy. Chris Adkins on guitar brings all the love and energy to his performances. These four work with lots of other musicians, working to collaborate, create, and grow musical traditions in New Orleans and on the road. They all bring such love, encouragement, and respect to the stage every single show I’ve gotten to see them – together and with other players.

These working musicians are true professionals – they live for creating and collaborating. After seeing so many of them keeping up with the most insane packed schedules for almost 2 weeks straight during Jazzfest insanity, still putting everything into each performance and showing up to support their friends when schedules allowed – I have a whole new level of respect for the drive and inspiration that keeps these musicians constantly in motion. And new perspective of what all is possible in 24 hours…as I am finally wrapping up sharing about this amazing experience.

From expecting to go down to New Orleans for 3-4 days with 2 shoots turning into 14 shoots over 11 days, returning to a packed schedule and busy time of year…I’m still wrapping my mind around all the magic I witnessed, all that I photographed, all the wonderful people I met and spent time with, all the old and new friends – and all the plans already lining up for next year. Thank you Jazzfest for the warm welcome back – cannot wait for 2025!

Photographer: Camilla Calnan Photography

Venue: New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Fairgrounds

Band: George Porter Jr and the Runnin’ Pardners – George Porter Jr on bass – Michael Lemmler on keys – Chris Adkins on guitar – Terrence Houston on drums

It was such a great time getting to photograph the North Mississippi Allstars joined by extra special guests at Tipitina's during Jazzfest 2024. Luther and Cody welcomed to the stage Datrian Johnson with his dynamic voice, the super talented Joey Williams on bass (and guitar for a few songs), Shardé Thomas on fife, and Chris Mallory on bass drum. Joey has been the guitarist and vocalist for the Blind Boys of Alabama since the early 90's and was such a treat to see perform. Shardé and Chris are the RisingStarsFifeandDrumband and just absolutely bring it. The energy in the air during that show was tangible! I was just in awe of all I was able to witness that magic and am ecstatic to share some of it with you.

I have been so lucky to see these talented brothers, Luther and Cody Dickinson, play over the years, starting back in the late 90's in Mississippi. I am so glad to have reconnected with these awesome musicians and to have them back in front of my camera. These brothers work so hard playing, touring, and constantly cultivating connections with other musicians. For the entirety of their careers, they have been diving headlong into personal projects, albums, releases, collaborations, and so much more. These two are second generation creatives, sons of the legendary Jim Dickinson, producer and musician. This family has a big role in preserving and promoting the music of the deep south, the delta, the North Mississippi blues and musical traditions. I was so lucky to have been in Mississippi for high school around the time NMAS formed and have gotten to see their inspiring journey evolve over the years.

This show was an extra special opportunity for me to get to see and photograph Datrian Johnson, Asheville local, friend, and singer extraordinaire performing with this talented lineup. Keep an eye on this man as he is making magic happen, and is working on an upcoming album with Luther that drops this year. He is also working with Robert Mercurio who is and producing his solo project release that will be featuring his mentor, John Medeski, on several tracks playing keys. This man works with quite a few groups in Asheville and is constantly creating, writing lyrics, and singing his heart out, continuing the Appalachian musical tradition that he grew up surrounded by. This man is just a radiant light, supporting and encouraging those around him. He truly has the most awesome voice that once people hear him perform they often become fans. I know that was my experience and I see it happen every time I've gone to one of his shows.

Keep an eye out for all the great projects these amazing musicians are working on. Luther released a children's album in November 2023 you can find out more about by visiting here. Cody just released a solo 'Homemade' album June 21. Find out more about Cody's album visiting here.

It is my pleasure to get to share some of this magic evening with you all - here are some of my favorite photos from that show:

Photography: Camilla Calnan Photography

Venue: Tipitina's New Orleans, Louisiana

Photographer: Camilla Calnan Photography

Venue: Maple Leaf Bar

Erica Falls and friends Soul Sessions at the Dew-Drop Inn was an awesome show in a one of a kind place. The Dew-Drop Inn was host to so many iconic Black musicians in the 50's and 60's, offering a space for the burgeoning genre of Rock 'n Roll. Ray Charles, Little Richard, Irma Thomas, Fats Domino, and other legends spent lots of time there. It offered artists a place to play, live, record, enjoy the restaurant and night club, and also had a barbershop. It was operating for many many years as a hotel and so much more. It was featured in the "Negro Motorist Green Book" as a safe place for Blacks that were traveling. It was renovated to bring it back to life after Hurricane Katrina closed it completely after operating in one form or another since 1939. It was renovated in 2023, preserving so much history and you walk into a space that takes you back in time to the days of the lounge nightclub.

I was so glad Chris Adkins, amazing guitarist and friend, filled me about this fun show happening. I was glad I got to catch the second set of after a run of 4 other performances that afternoon into evening. I wish I had gotten to see the whole show, but I could only be in one place at a time unfortunately. The level of respect I have for these musicians is off the charts - especially as they maintain insane Jazzfest schedules that keep them running all over town for almost 2 weeks. My schedule was light compared to theirs but it wore me out nonetheless. I'll be more prepared next year with lots of exercise, training, and drinking a lot more water so I can try to keep up with them.

The lineup that night was Erica Falls, Chris Adkins, Nicholas Payton, Nikki Glaspie, Lyrics Born, Raymond Weber, Nate Edgar, and Andriu Yanovski. I was there for Erica Falls, Nicholas Payton, Lyrics Born, Raymond Weber, Nate Edgar, and Chris Adkins. I hated missing seeing the legendary drummer Nikki play again (she ROCKED it at the Zildjian Drum Jam!) and the epic key player Andriu (seeing him play at a few shows during my visit blew me away!).

Without further ado here are some of my favorite photos from that show. Remember to "bring all your fine friends and go to the Dew- Drop Inn!" I will certainly be back...maybe without the camera but I know I'd want it with all the vintage details in that place - go check it out if you get the chance! Truly an amazing place - if only the walls could talk...

Photographer: Camilla Calnan Photography

Venue: Dew-Drop Inn

Performers: Erica Falls - singer, Chris Adkins - guitar, Nicholas Payton - keys, Lyrics Born - rapper, Raymond Weber - drums, Nate Edgar - bass. Not pictured but played first set that I missed: Nikki Glaspie and Andriu Yanovski