Donna The Buffalo

Donna The Buffalo is not just a band, rather one might say that Donna The Buffalo has become a lifestyle for its members and audiences. Since 1989, the roots rockers have played thousands of shows and countless festivals including Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, Telluride, Austin City Limits Festival, Merle Fest, and Philadelphia Folk Festival.

The Erie Times says of Donna The Buffalo, “They craft spirit-soaring songs with distinct sensibilities: Nevins’ songs are unfailingly melodic, brisk and buoyant, powered by her reassuring, wisdom-soaked vocals and ever-present fiddle and accordion. Puryear’s songs accentuate the groove, his exceptional guitar work and sly, Dylan-like way with lyrics.”

New Haven Register expands upon this to say, “Donna the Buffalo knows a thing or two about rhythm. Cajun, zydeco and old-time rhythms. A bit of reggae rhythm. Various guitar and fiddle rhythms. The rhythm of traveling by bus year after year for more than a quarter-century now, criss-crossing America… over and over again.”

Donna the Buffalo is Jeb Puryear (vocals, electric guitar) and Tara Nevins (vocals, fiddle, guitar, accordion, scrubboard) joined by David McCracken (B3 Hammond organ, Hohner Clavinet & piano), Kyle Spark (bass) and Mark Raudabaugh (drums). “It’s been really fun with this lineup,” Puryear says. “You get to the point where you’re playing on a really high level, things are clicking and it’s like turning on the key to a really good car. It just goes.”

More information: Donna The Buffalo

Joe Thrift & the Hotz

Joe Thrift is a violin maker and fiddler who has steeped himself in all aspects of the instrument. Born in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thrift’s father was a pipe organ builder, and his mother an organist and choir director.

In the early 1970s, Thrift became interested in building instruments and playing music. “After building several small instruments myself,” he recalls, “I apprenticed to a local maker and worked in his shop, visiting as many other makers as I could find.” The local maker was Dave Sturgill, who had a shop in Alleghany County. Other young musicians with similar interests worked at Sturgill’s shop, and they formed bands to play at the local and regional festivals. Thrift also visited with Albert Hash of Whitetop, Va., a fiddle player and maker who heightened Joe’s interest in playing and making fiddles.

Thrift has been a member of old-time bands Too Wet to Plow, The Red Hots, Man Alive, and jimmyjohnnyjoe. Thrift recorded and performed as keyboard player for Donna the Buffalo in the 1990s.

Joining Joe will by Riley Baugus, with Evan Diamond on bass

ADDITIONAL CONCERT DETAILS

•  Ticket purchases are nonrefundable
•  Concerts take place Rain or Shine
•  Admission gates open at 5:45 pm
•  Showtime is 7 p.m.
•  You need to bring your own lawn chair and/or blanket
•  We recommend bringing a jacket or sweatshirt as it often gets cooler after the sun goes down and sometimes a rain shower pops up
•  You are welcome to bring a picnic with drinks and beverages (no alcohol is permitted on-site)
•  There is a on-site food vendor – for larger attendance shows sometimes two food vendors, but we always recommended bringing at least some water and a few snacks in case the lines at the food vendor are long and/or they run out of food
•  Alcohol, drones, pop-up tents, and tables are not allowed in the amphitheater
•  Dogs are permitted at most shows with the following rules: dog(s) must always be on a leash, concert goers with dog(s) are only permitted to sit on the hillside above the rock walls and not in the main seating area below the rock walls, you must clean up after your pet, if your dog(s) behavior is interfering with other patrons enjoyment of the show, you and your pet may be asked to leave the amphitheater and no refund will be given 

The Bluffs Restaurant will offer food and beverages for purchase during the concert. Visitors may bring their own food and beverages into the amphitheater. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted. 

Assistive listening devices are available for use during concerts. If you would like to borrow a free device, email info@blueridgemusiccenter.org in advance of your visit.

For more information, view our concert FAQs