The Suspect: Charley Pride
Pride was one of the most successful crossover country artists in the aughts, winning the CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1971 and scoring a Grammy in ’72. His biggest hits include “Help Me Make it Through the Night” and “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’.’”
Can Be Found: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, Saturday, Jan. 14.
RIYD: (Recommended if You Dig) Charlie Rich, Glen Campbell, Randy Travis.
You Should Go If: Your favorite stocking stuffer was a giant bottle of Tums; not a day goes by that Regis doesn’t cross your mind; potpourri-scented candles and cigarette smoke are your favorite smells in the world; Your 2012 look: snakeskin fabrics … very breathable and you can dress it up or down.
The Suspect: DePue Brothers Band
These four fiddle-wielding brothers are classically trained bluegrass virtuosos. They come to Asheville with four additional musicians from the Philadelphia Orchestra. Expect a technically brilliant and innovative blending of the bluegrass and classical genres.
Can Be Found: Diana Wortham Theatre on Wednesday, Jan. 18 and Thursday, Jan. 19.
RIYD: Yo-Yo Ma’s Goat Rodeo Sessions or Appalachian Journey.
You Should Go If: You spend every weekend in Brevard in the hopes of spotting Steve Martin; you had an Iowa Caucus results potluck; you insist on calling pool, “billiards,” ping pong, “table tennis,” and soccer, “football.” You also spell color, colour; Your 2012 look: finally (hopefully!) getting up the nerve to wear that fedora out instead of taking it off in the car at the last second.
The Suspect: Aaron Burdett
This singer-songwriter lives down the road in Saluda. He released his third full-length record, Stand Up Eight, in 2010. Bold Life magazine compared his songwriting versatility to Paul Simon, James Taylor or Van Morrison.
RIYD: Amos Lee, James Taylor.
Can Be Found: Pisgah Brewing Company on Friday, Jan. 13 and The Purple Onion in Saluda on Saturday, Jan. 14.
You Should Go If: When you even consider not reporting income on your taxes you get a stomachache/have a panic attack; you manage to run out of milk and bread on the eve of every major winter storm; your life force is totally zapped by choosing items off a menu, parallel parking, passing a dead squirrel and/or deciding whether or not to delete an email ; 2012 look: strikingly similar to your 1992 and 2002 looks, i.e., if it ain’t broke…
