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Tryon makes appearance in Episode 5

 

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens celebrates America’s rich and varied musical traditions and their modern offshoots through engaging performances and conversations. Presented by PBS North Carolina and distributed nationally through PBS Plus, My Music with Rhiannon Giddens will roll out to broadcast and streaming services for seven weeks of new episodes beginning the week of May 1, 2023. 

In seven half-hour episodes, Grammy winner and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient Rhiannon Giddens hosts musical performances and conversations with exceptional guest artists filmed on location around the South. 

Conservatory-educated and with deep roots in traditional music, Giddens has far-ranging musical interests and is passionate about her mentors, inspirations and the ongoing relevance of folk music to modern issues. 

“It’s thrilling to host a new PBS series that celebrates the intersection of music and storytelling,” says host Rhiannon Giddens. “I’m joined by some amazing artists—fellow collaborators, chosen family and friends—who have forged unconventional paths to find their voices. I hope you’ll be a part of this new journey with me—this is only the beginning!”

Guests this season include singer-songwriter and activist Allison Russell; country music artist and artist advocate Rissi Palmer; Indigenous Lumbee/Tuscarora singer Charly Lowry; Southern gothic blues artist Adia Victoria; virtuoso guitarist and singer Joy Clark; Giddens’ life partner and collaborator Francesco Turrisi; Carolina Chocolate Drops cofounder Justin Robinson; Giddens’ sister, singer Lalenja Harrington; and longtime friend, singer-songwriter Laurelyn Dossett.

The episodes featuring Adia Victoria and Joy Clark were filmed in Tryon and Spindale, respectively.

Episode 5 features Adia Victoria and will air Thursday, June 1, at 9:30 PM (Stream beginning Monday, May 29). Indie artist Adia Victoria grew up not far from Nina Simone’s childhood home in Tryon, N.C. Rhiannon Giddens meets her there to share music and hear stories about her strict religious upbringing and her self-discovery through the blues. Adia grew up in Campobello, but spent a lot of her childhood in Tryon. The Nina Simone House and Tryon Theatre are included in this episode.

Episode 6 features Joy Clark and will air Thursday, June 8, at 9:30 PM (Stream beginning Monday, June 5). New Orleans native Joy Clark is a lyrical guitarist and rising singer-songwriter on the Americana music scene. She and Rhiannon Giddens share music and talk about her religious upbringing and her lifelong love affair with the guitar. This episode was shot at Isothermal Community College, Spindale.

For the full schedule of shows and airtimes, mymusicrg.org.

Submitted by Will McIntyre