Singer-songwriter Jim Sharkey is an Irish and Americana folk musician. Jim grew up in Ireland, and came to the US in 1982 when he joined the US Navy in London, England. He spent five years as a photographer on the USS Dixon in San Diego, California, and ten years working in television and video production in North Carolina and Maine. Later he taught children with special needs but decided to pursue music full-time in 2014. He plays around Virginia, North and South Carolina, Maryland, and Washington DC, accompanying himself on guitar, harmonica, and bodhran (Irish drum). Jim's original songs blend Celtic traditional ballad influences with contemporary issues that are often set in the area he resides. Jim has just released his third CD, “Misty Morning Rain” in May, 2017. Jim's other CDs "Black is the Color" and "Sweet Anne's Road" were released in 2015. "Sweet Anne's Road" and "Misty Morning Rain" are available on iTunes, Amazon.com, and CD Baby.

#17 The Irish American Experience - Jim Sharkey

Abigail grew up under the North Carolina longleaf pines and hints of the early Celtic settlers weave through her music. Her lyrics are mesmerizing and her bluesy voice has been described as “a rare thing that is at once strong and generous in its vulnerability." She blends her classical guitar style with the edgy bass and percussion of Jason Duff.

#18 Day of the Battler - Abigail Dowd

Originally from Detroit, MI, Jack Gorham has called the triad home since 1987.  Gorham performs often as a solo artist and also with several bands.  His music reflects notions of time, place, love and the human condition.  Gorham's work draws comparisons as varied from Billy Joel and Randy Newman to Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen.

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Special Thanks to PB and Java for sponsoring our event.

Audio Engineer: Tom Troyer of Black Rabbit Audio
Writer: Naomi Bate and Nikki Tomeo
Behind the scenes: Audrey Ward

#19 Junk Man Jack - Jack Gorham

Breadfoot was spawn of the East River Delta. He digs his whisky neat and his coffee black. He is a one-man band whose idiosyncratic take on life and wide range of influences from The Carter Family and The Sherman Brothers to Tom Waits and X, fuels his unique brand of Tin Pan Folk Americana.
 
Here are some links to Breadfoot’s Official EPK, music, videos and social media:
EPK - Bio, Music, Videos and More
http://www.breadfoot.com/epk.html
 
Video
https://youtu.be/Mt3Pu0tsPgQ
https://youtu.be/KPR_h7NlRm8
https://youtu.be/654mNdYJDLM
  
Social Media
https://twitter.com/BreadfootMusic
https://www.instagram.com/breadfootmusic

#20 Homespun - Breadfoot

Danie 'Big Hope' Jones has a voice built by the Gospel music of his childhood. His harmonica playing infuses the duo’s music with the blues and country. A gentle soul, he brings a sonic color commentary to Big Hope and the Dog.

The second element of the duo, Mystkdog aka Todd Eric Verts, is a singer/songwriter, guitarist, slide guitarist and bassist. From Denver, Colorado, he specializes in blending notes of Country, Blues, and Americana with authenticity and craftsmanship.

#21 Old man's Blues - Big Hope And The Dog

Produced by Black Rabbit Audio and hosted by Joylyn Troyer, Greensboro Grooves is a live audience podcast series featuring local North Carolina musicians, artist Q&A, and audience participation. The event will be recorded live and each performance uploaded the following weeks on soundcloud and itunes!