Bluegrass Experience. Things got started, as they often do in this bluegrass rich region, with six friends competing together at the many fiddlers conventions in western North Carolina. When they won the World’s Championship Bluegrass Band at The Union Grove Fiddler’s Convention in 1972, the Experience was off and running, becoming a fixture at the Carlton Haney festivals and finding plenty of dates on the burgeoning college music scene.

They were invited to perform at the Finnish National Folk Festival in 1975, the only American band to be asked, and hosted a regular Thursday night show at Cat’s Cradle in Chapel Hill for nine years starting in ’72. Those shows at the Cradle often included visiting artists like Peter Rowan, Bobby Hicks, Dan Crary and Tony Williamson hopping up on stage to join them.

And they’re still going strong.

At 7pm the music starts. There is an outdoor stage (and an indoor stage in the store if it rains!). A different band each week: John Howie Jr, the Bluegrass Experience, Knee Deep, Neville’s Quarter… A pith helmet is passed to pay the band. Young and old dance.

There is room for the kids and toys and books... and screen doors for kids to learn to bang. No pets or alcohol. Fireflies. Sometimes thunder. Summer nights - listening to the clear voices and sweet songs melding with the cacophony from crickets, owls, tree frogs and toads. Not being able to tell if the white lights are fireflies or Christmas lights. 3/4 time. Not worrying. Not rushing. Just being. As twilight descends.

Come rock with us!