The Honeycutters and Bob Sinclair are set to take the Summer Tracks stage at Rogers Park on Aug. 23 for the sixth and final concert of the 2013 season.

The evening begins at 7 p.m. with Hickory singer/songwriter Bob Sinclair. A true genre blender, Sinclair’s original songs bring together the sounds of jazz, country and folk. His smooth voice, bright lyrics and skillful guitar create a space where porch swings, poetry and American music all find common footing.

Hailing from Asheville, the popular Honeycutters have been on tour most of this summer and fans are expected to turn out in good number to welcome them home at this Tryon event. At their heart, the Honeycutters are the musical collaboration of singer/songwriter Amanda Anne Platt and lead guitarist/producer Peter James. While their sound has drawn comparisons to such artists as Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, as well as Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Platt and James produce refreshingly original Americana music that is comfortingly familiar. Like so many of country music’s great duos, Platt and James have a chemistry that is felt by all who hear them. Adding their own rich talents to Honeycutter’s sound are Tal Taylor on mandolin, Rick Cooper on bass and Josh Milligan on drums.

The band’s most recent release, “When Bitter Met Sweet” (2012), hit no. 23 on the Americana Chart and landed at no. 94 for the year. It was also one of the top ten best selling albums at Merlefest in 2012. The record came in at no. 4 in WNCW’s listener voted top 100, and no. 2 in the regional favorites (right behind The Avett Brothers).

Their first full-length studio release “Irene” (May ’09) garnered radio support across the USA as well as overseas.

Platt, herself, has been hailed as “one of the best songwriters coming out of WNC these days” by WNCW programming director Martin Anderson. Her song, “Little Bird,” won second place in the general category of the Chris Austin Songwriting contest in 2011.

Peter James is rapidly becoming one of Western North Carolina’s most sought after guitar players. His natural talent and attention to detail made him an asset to The Slant Six Cowboys, a New Hampshire based group founded by James and singer/songwriter Don Witcher. In 2004, they released a self-titled album, which reached No. 14 on the AMA chart.

The Honeycutters have shared the stage with Americana giants Guy Clark, Tony Rice, The Seldom Scene, Donna The Buffalo and The Steep Canyon Rangers. They have been voted Western North Carolina’s favorite local Americana act (2011 Mountain Xpress reader’s poll) and delighted audiences from upstate New York to Seattle.

In case of rain, the concert will move indoors to the Tryon Fine Arts Center. Directions and information can be found at www.tryonarts.org. All Summer Tracks concerts are free, though a voluntary donation is encouraged.

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. Last year, the concerts drew an estimated 2,000 people to downtown Tryon.

For more information, contact Polk County Travel and Tourism at 828-894-2324 or visit www.firstpeaknc.com.

– article submitted

by Peter Eisenbrown