FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FLETCHER, NC – November 4, 2026. Upstream Rebellion will take the stage on November 14 at 7 pm at Feed & Seed, a historic music hall where music, dancing, and community gatherings have been part of Fletcher, NC’s rhythm for nearly two decades. The event is free and open to the public.
Rooted in Western North Carolina, Upstream Rebellion is a six-piece bluegrass and Americana band featuring Walker Ballance on mandolin, Max Rogers on banjo, Andrew Bivens on guitar, Jake Smith on dobro, Jared Wills on upright bass, and Adam Winebarger on guitar. Established in 2024, the group brings together regional musicians for a sound grounded in bluegrass while drawing from a broader range of Americana influences.
The show will be the final of three Fall Sessions concerts at Feed & Seed, presented by the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina and the Jazz Foundation of America.
Music, dancing, and community
The Fall Sessions continue a relationship between Feed & Seed and the Blue Ridge Music Trails that dates back to the venue’s early years.
As Feed & Seed became known for its live music, the Blue Ridge Music Trails sought active community venues where visitors and residents could experience the region’s musical traditions as they were played and shared.
Today, Feed & Seed remains intentionally informal and community-oriented. Its music season generally runs from around Easter through Thanksgiving, while it serves as a church year-round. Most regular performances rely on audience donations rather than traditional ticket sales.
“For visitors who come to the mountains hoping to hear the sounds associated with Western North Carolina, the experience can be memorable,” stated Phillip Trees, manager of the Feed and Seed music venue and pastor of Feed and Seed church. For local audiences and musicians, it is part of a tradition that continues because people still gather to participate.”
Traditional music is an important part of our region’s heritage and culture, and it should be preserved for future generations, said Angie Chandler, executive director of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and the Blue Ridge Music Trails. “Our goal is to help ensure musicians have paying gigs and that music venues have engaged audiences who value the music traditions in Western North Carolina, and the Feed and Seed has been a long-time partner in making that happen.”
About the Blue Ridge Music Trails
The Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina, an initiative of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership and the North Carolina Arts Council, connects residents and visitors with traditional music throughout the North Carolina mountains and foothills, including concerts, festivals, jam sessions, dances, and community music venues. More information is available at www.blueridgemusicnc.com.
About the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is a nonprofit organization that preserves, cultivates, and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of 25 Western North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary to benefit current and future generations. More information is available at www.blueridgeheritage.com.
About Feed & Seed
Feed & Seed is a longtime Fletcher destination for bluegrass, classic country, and Appalachian music, with performances by regional musicians and nationally known artists. Located in a historic former feed and seed store, the music hall seats up to 160 people on cushioned pews, chairs, and theater seats. The building also functions as a church, with services held on Sundays at 11 a.m. More information is available through the Blue Ridge Music Trails at www.blueridgemusicnc.com/event/feed-seed/.
Media Contact:
Bridget Herbig, Communications Manager
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
bridget@blueridgeheritage.com
828-818-5334
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