Nikki Talley plus Letters To Abigail take the Summer Tracks’ stage for the fifth concert of the 2013 season at Rogers Park in Tryon on Aug. 9. The event, sponsored by Jerry Steel and WNCW 88.7 Radio, starts at 7 p.m.

The evening begins with Letters To Abigail featuring songs from their just released debut CD titled “Say Anything.”

Hendersonville’s “home town band,” Letters To Abigail is an acoustic three-piece, modern-day string band including James Harrell (guitar and vocals), Kelli Redmond (vocals) and Lauren Bandy (bass and vocals).

Their multi-genre style, lyrics that stretch emotional boundaries and tight harmonies take you on a journey with a new and refreshing approach to a sweet familiar sound.

Asheville’s Nikki Talley and bass player-guitarist and husband Jason Sharp take the stage next. A mountain girl with a big voice, critics have compared Talley to an early Liz Phair and Gillian Welch.

However, to leave the comparisons there would be a disservice to her fiery stage performance, lifted by a voice that harkens back to her Appalachian roots and shored up on the edges of Southern rock, country, blues and jazz.

Talley’s energy is as big as her voice and has taken her all over the southeast, playing such prestigious festivals as Magnolia Fest in Live Oak, Fla. and the Shakori Hills Festival in Pittsboro, N.C. She also has had the pleasure of opening for such national acts as Edwin McCain and Susan Tedeschi.

Talley’s release Beautiful Charmer garnered the No. 7 spot in WNCW’s top 20 regional releases of 2010 and 23rd spot in top 100 releases. Their latest release Nikki Talley Live at the Altamont Theater, includes previously unreleased originals as well as some traditional numbers.

In case of rain, the concert will move indoors to the Tryon Fine Arts Center, located on Melrose Avenue in Tryon. Directions and information can be found at www.tryonarts.org.

As with all Summer Tracks concerts, the show is free, though a voluntary donation at the gate is encouraged. Audience donations along with the generous sponsorships of local businesses and individuals make these shows possible. JR’s wood-fired pizzas, water and soft drinks will be for sale.

Summer Tracks is produced by the Town of Tryon in affiliation with Peter Eisenbrown of Blockparty Productions. The popular series attracts people from all over the region. Last year, the concerts drew an estimated 2,000 people to downtown Tryon.

For more information about Summer Tracks and the performers, contact Polk County Travel and Tourism at 800-440-7848 or 828-894-2324 and visit www.firstpeaknc.com.

Schedule for 2013 Summer Tracks (Shows start at 7 p.m. in Roger’s Park, Tryon)
Aug. 9 — Nikki Tally, Letters To Abigail, Singer-songwriter, Americana. Sponsored by Jerry Steele & WNCW 88.7 Radio.
Aug. 23 — The Honeycutters, Bob Sinclair will open with rocking Americana from Asheville. Sponsored by Tryon Fine Arts Center

– article submitted by Peter Eisenbrown