Nashville, TN (September 22, 2014) -- The 9th Annual Smithfield Music's Aiken & Friends Fest is once again bringing top-notch performers to the region for the October 3-4 event.  The Fest is the area's premiere live entertainment event of the year and proceeds benefit youth music education in Isle of Wight County, Virginia.

Colorado-based MOORS & MCCUMBER have been compared to legendary duos Simon & Garfunkel and Crosby and Nash, but their sound is distinctly their own.  Between them they play an astonishing array of instruments, including guitar, mandolin, fiddle, tenor banjo, Irish bouzouki, piano, harmonica, cello, weissenborn and ukulele.  Their songwriting is creative, with bright and electrifying melodies that are a joy to hear live.  Their current CD,AGAINST THE GRAIN, weaves this fine storytelling ability with an infectious, melodic mix that reflects influences ranging from the Blues to Bluegrass and from Appalachian to Celtic music.  The duo rocks the road, and will host an escorted musical tour of Ireland in 2015.

Also in this year's line-up is CALEB HAWLEY, an American Soul singer, songwriter and performer.  Like savvy throwback crooners Mayer Hawthorne and Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Hawley channels early Stevie Wonder and other Motown sounds into a complete, magnetic package.  This year, Hawley released a pair of EPs:SIDE 1 and SIDE 2, which he co-produced with LUCIUS drummer/producer Dan Molad.  SIDE 1 employs a full string section from the NY Philharmonic to capture the authentic R&B sounds of the '60s and '70s.  SIDE 2 presents beefier beats and more modern production.  Hawley's vocal swagger, his old Alabama garage-found Harmonyelectric guitar and live rhythm section tie the EPs together.

Rounding out the performers are popular Piedmont stylists M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio, Mississippi native and Southern/Soul singer/songwriter Adrian Dickey, 16-year-old sensation Evan Button, and local teen songstress Mollie Taylor.  Open mic winners who will perform during the Fest are Gratiot Lake Road (a husband/wife duo),Starr Celeste, and the duo of Tim Brown and Chris Jacobson.

In addition to the fabulous music presented throughout the event,Smithfield Music's Aiken & Friends Fest offers music industry-focused educational seminars on Saturday, October 4.  The gathering presents music lovers with a chance to enjoy great music, historic Smithfield's convivial atmosphere, along with fabulous food, locally-crafted beer and wine, and diverse artisan vendors.

TICKET PRICING:

Weekend Pass $35 - all events, concerts, workshops

Songwriters-in-the-Round (Friday only) $25

Saturday All Day - Field Pass $20 advance, $25 day of show (12 & under FREE with paying adult)

RAFFLE TICKETS will be available for purchase both days, with the drawing held on Saturday.  Among the prizes to be awarded is a Takamine guitar, donated by the manufacturer and a custom-crafted Sterling Silver locket from First City Silver.

Friday, October 3, 2014   7 p.m. to 10 p.m.   (Doors open at 6 p.m.)

Smithfield Little Theatre - 210 N. Church St., Smithfield, VA

Songwriters-in-the-Round concert featuring Mike Aiken, Patty Reese and Tim Buppert

Saturday, October 4, 2014    1:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Windsor Castle Park - 310 Jericho Road, Smithfield, VA

Workshops 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m.

River Stage:

12:30-1:30 p.m. - Open Mic Winners

2:30-3:30 p.m. - Moors & McCumber

5:00-6:00 p.m. - Caleb Hawley Band

7:45-9:00 p.m. - Mike Aiken Band

Castle Stage:

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Evan Button / Mollie Taylor

1:30-2:15 p.m. - Adrian Dickey

3:45-4:45 p.m. - M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio

6:30-7:30 p.m. - Snuff Trio featuring Chuck Larson, Norman Harrell & Robbie House

All performance times are approximate and are subject to change.

Fest Sponsors:

Smithfield Foods

Hampton Inn & Suites - Smithfield

Audio, Light & Musical

Takamine Guitars

Smithfield / Isle of Wight Tourism

Smithfield Music

Northwind Records

Smithfield Little Theatre