BLUE RIDGE & BEYOND
This season's Blue Ridge & Beyond concerts includes numerous winners of IBMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and multiple instrumentalists of the year.
By attending any event associated with the Surry Arts Council, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending the event, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold the Surry Arts Council liable for any illness or injury.
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SEAN OF THE SOUTH
Friday, February 14, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Historic Earle TheatreTickets:
Preferred $55
Orchestra Preferred $45
Balcony Preferred $35
Sean Dietrich is a multi-instrumentalist, novelist, and stand-up storyteller known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Newsweek, Southern Living, Reader’s Digest, Garden and Gun, The Tallahassee Democrat, the Birmingham News, The Mobile Press Register, and his column appears in newspapers throughout the U.S. He has authored 18 books, he is the creator of the Sean of the South Podcast, and makes appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. His stories can make you laugh and cry, sometimes within the same sentence. Join him for a night of laughs and good ole southern entertainment!
After the show Sean will do a meet & greet where he’ll be hugging necks, signing books & taking photos!
Books and other merchandise will be available for purchase before and after the show.
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AMERICAN HISTORY: THE BLACK EXPERIENCE
featuring WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY INSPIRATIONAL VOICES and local talentSaturday, February 15, 2025 at 6:30 pm
Andy Griffith Playhouse
FreeA night of history, music and celebration for all.
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GLOAMING, NOWHERE: The Neo-Appalachian Storytelling Musical
One day only: See the original one-person musical before it goes to New York!Andy Griffith Playhouse
Sunday, February 16, 2025Reserved Seat Tickets $25
From the mundane to the beautiful. The sad to the mystical. Gloaming, Nowhere is precise but unprecious in its Southern Pop telling of a life in Modern Appalachia. The story is spun to us by a storyteller and his bag of tricks as he welcomes us to Nowhere.
Conceived and perfected in Galax, Virginia. The husband and wife duo of Writer/performer, J.S.Streible, and Producer, Mackenzie Spivey are taking “Gloaming, Nowhere” to New York City this March for its Drama Desk Award eligible World Premiere at Soho Playhouse. Making it one of the most significant works of Appalachian Theatre in the past 50 years, and potentially the first one-person musical on Broadway. “Gloaming, Nowhere” is coming to town as part of a first looks series of performances across Appalachia this February.
Recommended audience:
Some content may be inappropriate for children under 13. We strongly recommend this show for adults and older teens. The show contains some strong language. -
TOMMY JARRELL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
March 1-2, 2025
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WAYNE ERBSEN BEGINNING BANJO WORKSHOP
Workshop on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Historic Earle Theatre
Registration coming soonWorkshop and Concert $35
The workshops will take place in the Betty Wright Room at the Arts Center (across the street from the Andy Griffith Playhouse) and will include bluegrass banjo. Participants will be given the opportunity to learn from our bluegrass and old-time master Wayne Erbsen. . The bluegrass banjo workshop is for total beginners with zero experience with the banjo. We'll learn such songs as "I'll Fly Away" and "Jed Clampett." Banjos will be available for a rental fee of $10 per banjo.
As a musician, Wayne is a master of old-time, bluegrass, folk, Appalachian, cowboy, pioneer, railroad, and gospel music and music of the Civil War. He plays clawhammer and bluegrass banjo, fiddle, mandolin and guitar. Wayne has performed at across America and in western Europe. He has recorded many solo CDs and written dozens of music instruction books and songbooks. Wayne has won numerous prizes at fiddler’s conventions, including 1st place in clawhammer banjo (Galax, Virginia, 1973) and 1st place in senior old-time fiddler (Fiddler’s Grove, North Carolina, 2004).
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TOMMY JARRELL BIRTHDAY CONCERT & DANCE
with WAYNE ERBSEN followed by THE ROUND PEAK BOYSSaturday, March 1, 2025 at 6:30 pm
Historic Earle TheatreTickets $12
The Tommy Jarrell Birthday Celebration and Dance features Surry County Old-Time music and traditions.
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Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Historic Earle TheatreGeneral Admission Tickets $15
The Morris Family Band is comprised of five members of the Morris family from Davidson County, North Carolina; Aaron Morris, Debbie Morris, Jessica Morris, Joshua Morris, and Jacob Morris. For the past 15 years, the Morris Family Band has delighted area residents with its Irish-American sounds during St. Patrick's Day festivals, at local cafés, and in shows at regional amphitheaters. All Morris family members are trained with most string instruments, which comes in handy for the family's distinct, Celtic style. Guitars, violins, flutes, whistles, cello, mandolin... they've got it all!
The Morris children grew up learning the Suzuki method of playing stringed instruments in professional classes and from their parents at home. Eventually, the family started jamming at home, then at live shows in the area. The family continued playing shows on a consistent basis, up until the children started going off to school. With most of the children scattered about the East Coast, the full family band now plays most of its shows over the holidays, especially around St. Patrick's Day.
To date, the family has released two albums, “Farewell to Summer” and a self-titled release from 2000.
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ELKIN BIG BAND "BIG BAND TRIBUTE"
Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Andy Griffith Playhouse
Tickets
Preferred $25
Orchestra $20 -
Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Historic Earle TheatreTickets:
Preferred $80
Orchestra $75
Balcony $55To date, Rhonda Vincent and her band, The Rage, have won one Grammy, nineteen IBMA Awards (including the top Entertainer of the Year honor in 2001 and consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year wins between 2000 and 2006), and eighty-nine SPBGMA Awards.
World Class Musicians and an Award-Winning Voice seamlessly set the stage for a breath-taking, one-of-a-kind, must-see performance; that reaches beyond the boundaries of bluegrass music!
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TAYLOR VADEN & MEMPHIS THUNDER
Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Historic Earle TheatreTickets:
Preferred $35
Orchestra $30
Balcony $20 -
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
THE LEGACY MOTOWN REVUEThursday, June 19, 2025
Celebration begins at 6:30 pm
Band at 7:30 p.m.
Blackmon AmphitheatreFree Event
The project is funded in part by the Grassroots Grant Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts
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JOHN FLOYD - THE MOUTH OF MAYBERRY
Monday-Thursday, September 22-25, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Historic Earle TheatreJohn Floyd "The Mouth of Mayberry" performs four hilarious shows full of comedy suitable for the whole family. John's clean comedic talent has taken him across the globe entertaining millions of people. He has worked with numerous artists including Milton Berle, Frankie Valli, Jamie Foxx, Chubby Checker and Martina McBride.
Reserved Seats $20
Click on the photo for his official website
Monday at 2:00 p.m.
September 22, 2025Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.
September 23, 2025Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.
September 24, 2025Thursday at 2:00 p.m.
September 25, 2025 -
RANDY RIGGLE "The Nostalgia Show"
Nationally touring stand-up comedian Randy Riggle will be your guide on a trip filled with songs and laughs in this one-man production.
Monday, September 22, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Historic Earle TheatreOrchestra Seats $20
Balcony Seats $15The nationally touring production of "NOSTALGIA" takes you down memory lane with your '57 Chevy as we remember the times and people who changed our lives in the 1950's, and 60's. Randy entertains his audiences with clean humor about this nostalgic era and his show is complimented with over 50 impersonations and a special tribute to veterans. The entire revue is backed with a multi-media presentation from this comedy veteran.
Randy debuted his talent during an "open mike" night at the Pittsburgh Comedy Club. He has hundreds of college appearances to his credit including Penn State, Ohio State, and the Universities of California and Hawaii. Randy has also performed for such corporations as Westinghouse, PNC Bank, and the United Steel Workers of America. To date, he has performed in 48 states including Alaska & Hawaii.
He has written for many comedians including Jay Leno and Joan Rivers as well as opening for such acts as Dennis Miller, Kenny Chesney, Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen Degeneres, and Weird Al Yankovic. This talented comedian has appeared nationally on all three major networks including NBC, ABC, and CBS. Randy has also performed at some of the country's top comedy clubs including the IMPROV. Most recently, he has become a regular on the strip in Las Vegas.
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Special Mayberry Days Presentations
These events look beyond the trivia and comedy of The Andy Griffith Show with a personal and scholarly approach with interviews, historic photos and stories behind the production and continued love of the show.
Learn more at www.mayberrydays.com
Randy Turner
The Filming Locations of TAGS: A Detailed LookWednesday, September 24, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Historic Earle TheatreRandy Turner
The Enduring Appeal of TAGSFriday, September 26, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
Andy Griffith Museum Theatre -
BILL KNOTTS "Mayberry Memories of Don Knotts"
A one-man show about his famous uncle, Don Knotts, showcasing cherished family photos.
Historic Earle Theatre
Orchestra Preferred Seats $35
Orchestra Seats $30
Balcony Preferred Seats $25
Balcony Seats $20 Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.A former professional actor, Bill Knotts, is now bringing Mayberry Memories of Don Knotts, his one-man show about his famous uncle, to Mayberry Days.
While attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in the 1970’s, Bill had the opportunity to live with Don and his wife in Beverly Hills. In this nostalgic and entertaining journey, Bill ushers his audience into a simpler time, back to the idyllic, fictional town of Mayberry. His theater and acting background is on full display as he regales the audience with numerous personal tales and family anecdotes of his time spent with Don over the decades. Sprinkling in family pictures and plenty of video clips of some of the greatest scenes from The Andy Griffith Show, Bill reintroduces the iconic and lovable characters and the actors who made them come to life. He delves into the Knotts family history, Don's early career and how he landed the part of Barney Fife, as well as his movie career with Universal, his memorable partnering with Tim Conway for multiple Disney movies, his return to television on Three's Company and Matlock, and his many stage productions across the country. Bill also recounts stories by Andy Griffith, Ron Howard and Tim Conway at various times in the evening.
Bill has appeared as Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man; Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; Sir Thomas More in Anne of a Thousand Days and many other theater roles. Numerous commercials, industrial films and live shows and corporate emcee opportunities rounded out his acting resume before he decided to pursue a business and teaching career.
Bill Knotts has been an entrepreneur and teacher most of his adult life. For over two decades he taught leadership principles, self-discipline, and networking skills to business owners throughout the United States. He earned an MBA from Arizona State University and has also taught college courses in investments, entrepreneurship, business communication and labor relations. He taught seminars for several years in various countries while a contractor for a national stock trading firm.
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Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:00 am
Historic Earle TheatrePreferred Seats $35
Orchestra Seats $30
Balcony Seating $20Author-actor-comedian and daughter of your favorite television Deputy, Karen Knotts returns to a new show.
Her latest book is available at the Andy Griffith Museum Gift Shop and Historic Earle Theatre. She will be autographing her book and photos after the event.
Click on the photo for her official website.
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RODNEY DILLARD and THE DILLARDS
Friday, September 26, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Andy Griffith PlayhouseTickets:
Preferred Seats $50
Orchestra Seats $45 Rodney Dillard, one of the original Darling Boys from The Andy Griffith Show, returns with his band to Mayberry Days for another great bluegrass concert, filled with songs performed on the show and original Dillards hits. Rodney is a member of the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and two time Grammy Nominee. Dillardgrass - often imitated, never duplicated!
Click on the photo for their Facebook page
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MICHAEL HOOVER: "MEMORIES OF ELVIS" with Denise Glass as Patsy Cline
Friday, September 26, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Historic Earle TheatreTickets: coming
Preferred Seats $30
Orchestra Seats $25
Balcony Seating $20 Michael Hoover returns to Mount Airy with another spectacular evening of music and memories of Elvis Presley with Special Guest Denise Glass as Patsy Cline. You'll hear all the favorites from Elvis' favorite gospel songs to the hits that made him the King of Rock-n-Roll. The show has expanded to 90 minutes this year. Denise Glass as Patsy Cline will join Michael Hoover for special selections. Don't miss this exciting show and see why Michael Hoover is one of the finest entertainers in the business!
Click on the photo for his official website
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Friday, September 26, 2025 at 8:00 pm
Andy Griffith PlayhousePreferred Seats $90
Orchestra Preferred $85
Orchestra $80From "Let Your Love Flow", to "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me)?" to their latest double cd, "40 Years", this duo continues to connect with audiences all over the world- and especially the Mayberry audience with their song "The Andy Griffith Show". So, don't miss your chance for a fantastic afternoon at the Andy Griffith Playhouse with the Bellamy Brothers.
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TIM WHITE & TROUBLESOME HOLLOW
Friday, September 26, 2025 at 9:30 pm
Historic Earle TheatreTickets:
Reserved Seats $20 / Balcony $15
Troublesome Hollow is a dynamic bluegrass and Americana band from Hickory Tree, Tennessee. The band has been together for many years performing all across the eastern United States. Tim White on banjo, guitar and vocals, Donnie Ollis on guitar and vocals and his younger brother Garry Ollis on upright bass and vocals. The band performs everything from hard driving traditional bluegrass to newgrass, old time music, ballads as well as Americana and comedy. They have six recordings to their credit as well as appearing on many television shows and recently on Song of the Mountains seen across America on public television (PBS). Tim White has hosted Song of the Mountains since its beginning in 2005. Tim also hosts his nationally syndicated radio show “The Tim White Bluegrass Show” across America on 60 plus radio stations.
Click on the photo for their official website
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Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 2:30 pm
Andy Griffith PlayhousePreferred Seats $30
Orchestra Preferred Seats $25
Orchestra Seats $20 With over 40 years of combined experience touring America, these six TAGS fanatics have come together to form one of the most exciting shows. From the obscure whistle or hum to a song on Andy's front porch or maybe even 'Good Ole 14A', you'll come away from Mayberry Melodies with a smile on your face and a song in your heart as you hear the music and learn the stories behind them. Mayberry Melodies is a must-see for every musical fan of TAGS.
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Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Andy Griffith PlayhousePreferred Seats $30
Preferred Orchestra Seats $25
Orchestra Seats $20 There were more faith-based songs on TAGS than any other genre, so they must have been very important to Andy. Join Mayberry Melodies as these classics as well as other gospel and contemporary favorites are brought to life. You'll leave with a spring in your step and your spirit uplifted at this year's Mayberry Melodies Gospel Show!
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CRAIG SOUTHERN AND PHOENIXX
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Blackmon AmphitheatreFree concert during Autumn Leaves Festival
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ELKIN BIG BAND "HOLLYWOOD HITS"
Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Andy Griffith Playhouse
Tickets
Preferred $25
Orchestra $20 -
Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Historic Earle Theatre
Tickets
Preferred $65
Orchestra $55
Balcony $45Dr. Marc Pruett (banjo); Tim Surrett (bass, dobro, baritone, and lead vocals); Caleb Smith (guitar, lead & baritone vocals)and Alan Bibey (mandolin, vocals) make up Balsam Range. They thoughtfully and respectfully adopted the name of a majestic range of mountains that surround part of the home of three of the founding members in Haywood County, NC. The Great Balsam Range is where the Great Smoky Mountains meet the Blue Ridge Mountains. Since its formation in 2007, Balsam Range has become one of the genre’s most award-winning acts. The group has garnered 13 IBMA awards on the heels of 11 critically acclaimed albums. Balsam Range has left audiences spellbound while headlining major festivals from coast-to-coast, selling out venues across the nation and in multiple appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. In 2025, Buddy Melton stepped down and Bluegrass great Don Rigsby joined the group on select dates as a special guest, lending his fiddle and “high lonesome” tenor vocals to bring a new energy and sound to the beloved group’s audience.
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ELKIN BIG BAND "LIGHT UP THE ANDY GRIFFITH PLAYHOUSE"
Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
Andy Griffith Playhouse
Tickets
Preferred $25
Orchestra $20
The Blue Ridge and Beyond concert series is sponsored by:
