WC Handy Fest at The Village School -
DAY 1: July 19, 2025 from 3pm to 7pm
Proceeds will benefit The Village School Foundation.
In partnership with Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area
@muscleshoalsnha
DAY 1: July 19, 2025 from 3pm to 7pm
Proceeds will benefit The Village School Foundation.
In partnership with Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area
@muscleshoalsnha
Set 1: Caleb Elliott (Single Lock Records) and Austin Motlow.
Like the sprawling branches of a tenured Magnolia, Caleb Elliott’s sophomore album Weed, Wine & Time is beauty and grit personified.
Like the sprawling branches of a tenured Magnolia, Caleb Elliott’s sophomore album Weed, Wine & Time is beauty and grit personified.
Set 2: James LeBlanc (staff songwriter and recording artist for Fame Enterprises)
Born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. James picked up the guitar at age seven , inspired by his father, James Sr. By the time James was 18, he knew he wanted to make a life and living in the music business.
James' songs have been on records which have sold over 25 million copies.
Born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. James picked up the guitar at age seven , inspired by his father, James Sr. By the time James was 18, he knew he wanted to make a life and living in the music business.
James' songs have been on records which have sold over 25 million copies.
Set 3: The Burney Sisters - The Burney Sisters are a powerhouse sibling duo redefining indie-folk with their soulful harmonies, heartfelt lyrics, and magnetic stage presence. Emma’s multi-instrumental talents—on piano, violin, guitar, and cello—pair seamlessly with Bella’s commanding basslines, showcasing a maturity and versatility far beyond their years. Their music explores themes of love, resilience, and self-discovery with a raw honesty that resonates deeply with fans of all ages.
Set 4: Steve Conn w/ Will McFarlane
No Depression wrote that “Steve Conn may be the best singer you’ve never heard.” But for those who have paid attention to his career for the past half century, Steve has been the benchmark for honest and soulful music. His lifelong search continues — poignant, humorous, and even heartbreaking at times — and we all get to listen to the unique rhythm he hears as he bares his truth for all to witness and invites us to join him in singing his song.
No Depression wrote that “Steve Conn may be the best singer you’ve never heard.” But for those who have paid attention to his career for the past half century, Steve has been the benchmark for honest and soulful music. His lifelong search continues — poignant, humorous, and even heartbreaking at times — and we all get to listen to the unique rhythm he hears as he bares his truth for all to witness and invites us to join him in singing his song.
Set 5: Pat Huggins (pilot, lifelong songwriter, and longtime Village resident) with Will McFarlane (session guitarist and Nashville Musicians Hall of Fame inductee) and Jimmy Nutt (owner of The NuttHouse Recording Studio and Grammy and Juno award-winning producer and engineer).
Tickets are $10 each day (with an option to give more if you feel so inclined). Advance tickets are on sale now; tickets will be available at the door as well.
WC Handy Fest at The Village School -
DAY 2: July 20, 2025 from 3pm to 7pm
Proceeds will benefit The Village School Foundation.
In partnership with Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area
@muscleshoalsnha
DAY 2: July 20, 2025 from 3pm to 7pm
Proceeds will benefit The Village School Foundation.
In partnership with Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area
@muscleshoalsnha
Set 1: Bryan Joyce/aka King Leg
Mixing the sounds of early British and American rock and roll, classic country and R&B, with a voice that’s drawn comparisons to Roy Orbison, Joyce has created a sound that is unique and fresh. Although Joyce was born in Omaha, he moved to Nashville in his late teens. It was in Nashville that he was discovered by country music icon Dwight Yoakam, who loved his music.
He's now based in The Shoals where he continues to write songs and raise a family with his wife.
Mixing the sounds of early British and American rock and roll, classic country and R&B, with a voice that’s drawn comparisons to Roy Orbison, Joyce has created a sound that is unique and fresh. Although Joyce was born in Omaha, he moved to Nashville in his late teens. It was in Nashville that he was discovered by country music icon Dwight Yoakam, who loved his music.
He's now based in The Shoals where he continues to write songs and raise a family with his wife.
Set 2: The Dirty Rain Revelers
The Dirty Rain Revelers are husband/wife duo, Matthew and Melissa DeOrazio, both on guitars and vocals. The music they make has a kinetic energy that connects to roots and blues, and weaves in the human experience through the songs they share. Both lifelong musicians, they’ve been playing together for 18 years under various guises and lineups. They moved to The Shoals 4 years ago (from New Orleans) and have been avid supporters of The Village School since they arrived.
The Dirty Rain Revelers are husband/wife duo, Matthew and Melissa DeOrazio, both on guitars and vocals. The music they make has a kinetic energy that connects to roots and blues, and weaves in the human experience through the songs they share. Both lifelong musicians, they’ve been playing together for 18 years under various guises and lineups. They moved to The Shoals 4 years ago (from New Orleans) and have been avid supporters of The Village School since they arrived.
Set 3: Kara Hesse
"Kara’s music is like a warm breeze from Muscle Shoals in a contemporary framework that scratches a musical itch you didn’t realize you had. Kara’s newest release, “Suitcase Full of Dreams” is a perfect title for music that is right here, right now and moves the listener to a new place. Don’t let this one slip by. It deserves your attention." George Nunes, MusicRow
"Kara’s music is like a warm breeze from Muscle Shoals in a contemporary framework that scratches a musical itch you didn’t realize you had. Kara’s newest release, “Suitcase Full of Dreams” is a perfect title for music that is right here, right now and moves the listener to a new place. Don’t let this one slip by. It deserves your attention." George Nunes, MusicRow
Set 4: Rob Aldridge w/Clint Bailey
Rob Aldridge is a singer songwriter from Muscle Shoals, AL. His smokey, soulful, southern voice and lyrics win over anyone who loves a good story and his musical delivery and personality are charming and addictive.
Clint Bailey is a keyboardist and vocalist who's been an active member of the North Alabama Music Scene for 20+ years. He's performed and recorded with a variety of musicians, including Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Donna Godcheaux of the Grateful Dead
Rob Aldridge is a singer songwriter from Muscle Shoals, AL. His smokey, soulful, southern voice and lyrics win over anyone who loves a good story and his musical delivery and personality are charming and addictive.
Clint Bailey is a keyboardist and vocalist who's been an active member of the North Alabama Music Scene for 20+ years. He's performed and recorded with a variety of musicians, including Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Donna Godcheaux of the Grateful Dead
Set 5: Russell Mefford w/Mitch Mann
Russell Mefford is a Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist from Florence, Alabama. Russell started playing professionally in clubs in Birmingham, Alabama when he was 19years old. Russell, with Chris Quillen, formed the Fiddleworms in 1992 to support songs that Mefford had written. After Quillen’s tragic death in 1996 Russell carried on with different line ups. Mitch Mann has been involved in most of the bands formations. The Fiddleworms were Semi Finalists in Musican Magazine’s Best Unsigned Band Competition in 1996 and their studio album “See The Light” reached #6 nationally on the Jam Band Charts in 2015. For the past 8 years Russell has produced the “Muscle Shoals Meets” shows to raise money for local charities and support local musicians and artists. Last Year’s Muscle Shoals Meets the 80s show raised over $217,000, paid 48 musicians and artists, made a $20,000 donation to the Healing Place, a $1,000 donation to the Shoals Community Theatre, and built two Special Needs Playgrounds; one at the Muscle Shoals Middle School and one at Florence High School. All of these accomplishments are made possible by his Fiddleworm bandmates.
Russell Mefford is a Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist from Florence, Alabama. Russell started playing professionally in clubs in Birmingham, Alabama when he was 19years old. Russell, with Chris Quillen, formed the Fiddleworms in 1992 to support songs that Mefford had written. After Quillen’s tragic death in 1996 Russell carried on with different line ups. Mitch Mann has been involved in most of the bands formations. The Fiddleworms were Semi Finalists in Musican Magazine’s Best Unsigned Band Competition in 1996 and their studio album “See The Light” reached #6 nationally on the Jam Band Charts in 2015. For the past 8 years Russell has produced the “Muscle Shoals Meets” shows to raise money for local charities and support local musicians and artists. Last Year’s Muscle Shoals Meets the 80s show raised over $217,000, paid 48 musicians and artists, made a $20,000 donation to the Healing Place, a $1,000 donation to the Shoals Community Theatre, and built two Special Needs Playgrounds; one at the Muscle Shoals Middle School and one at Florence High School. All of these accomplishments are made possible by his Fiddleworm bandmates.
Tickets are $10 each day (with an option to give more if you feel so inclined). Advance tickets are on sale now; tickets will be available at the door as well.