Make live music part of your First Friday plans in June with PineCone and Aaron “Woody” Wood at the City of Raleigh Museum. You can also enjoy the Museum’s exhibits, including their temporary exhibit “Our Families’ Treasures,” which is up through the end of June. This exhibit, which features works by Moore Square Magnet Middle School 8th grade class, focuses on the important objects that each student has in their life and tells the stories of their families. From stories of war, migration, love, and even a look to the future, the 8th grade students at Moore Square will show you how one object can represent an entire story. The exhibit will be open through June 30, 2019.
You’re welcome to drop in between 6 & 9 p.m. for a laid back evening with fellow PineCone members and music and art lovers.
We will provide light hors d’oeuvres, wine courtesy of The Wine Feed, beer courtesy of Trophy Brewing, and water.
Aaron “Woody” Wood grew up steeped in the traditions of blues and folk music of North Carolina. His father shared the stage with the likes of Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley and performed at The Grand Ole Opry, taking young Aaron with him every chance he got. It didn’t take long before the music took hold. Today, Woody is straight up Appalachian soul music, a self-described “cosmic cowboy” who represents the powerful soul and energy of American music.
Beginning all the way back in Love Valley, in the Piedmont foothills where the famous Fiddler’s Grove is held, Woody was brought up in a family full of musicians and musical talent. As far back as he could remember, there was music surrounding his life.
Even though Woody grew up in North Carolina, New Orleans has been like a second home to him, and The Big Easy’s influence is equally evident in his music. He performs regularly with the Mardi Gras Indians and has recorded an album, The Blue Brass Project, which is a blend of traditional New Orleans jazz and bluegrass music. The Blue Brass sessions feature Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Woody, members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Larry Keel, Trombone Shorty and many others.
As a professional musician, Woody was a pivotal member of The Blue Rags, a band that began as a group of buskers in Asheville who were soon signed to Sub Pop Records. With this group, Woody toured successfully throughout the U.S. and abroad. The group garnered attention from several national media outlets.
Woody has had many successes as a solo artist as well. In 2006, he was the winner of the CMT television show Big Break. He opened for Sara Evans, and the show aired numerous times on CMT. His last album was recorded with the help of a successful Kickstarter campaign in which he raised nearly $10,000 from his fans. He’s performed at Jazzfest in New Orleans as well as the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. He has also performed with and learned from a wide array of artists, from Jimmy Martin to Leon Russel, R.L. Burnside to Warren Haynes, Sara Evans to Carlos Santana.
Over the past few years, Woody has been doing studio work and opening for acts like Brad Paisley, Buddy Guy, Jamey Johnson, Kellie Pickler, David Holt, and Tony Joe White. He also sang on The Avett Brothers 2013 release Magpie and The Dandelion and plays at the annual Christmas Jam in Asheville every year.
His newest release was recorded at Fleetwood Shack Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, where he joined some of his bandmates from The Blue Rags. Sunshine features Woody on guitar and vocals; Bill Reynolds as producer and bass player; Mike Rhodes on drums; Micky Raphael (Willie Nelson) on harmonica; Jimmy Wallace (Joe Walsh) on organ; and it was mastered by Rob Frabone (Keith Richards, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Bob Marley).
Woody continues to focus on his songwriting and fresh styles of guitar picking while collaborating on new creative projects.
Thanks to the City of Raleigh Museum for inviting PineCone to be part of their June First Friday!
Directions and parking information for the City of Raleigh Museum
