Back Porch Music on the Lawn

Pickers, rockers, groovers and all cool cats are invited to the return of American Tobacco"s legendary Back Porch Music on the Lawn concert series, May 12 - September 8. The FREE Thursday evening concerts will once again take place on the historic campus’ interior quad. All concerts are a joint production of the American Tobacco Campus and NC Public Radio WUNC-FM 91.5.

American Tobacco’s beloved restaurants will be open and preparing quick grab items for concertgoers to enjoy picnic style as they take in the shows. Beer and wine are available for purchase. Picnics, coolers and well-behaved dogs are welcome. Please no glass or exotic animals like emus or llamas.

DOM FLEMONS DUO – HEADLINER Dom Flemons is the "American Songster," pulling from traditions of old-time folk music to create new sounds. Having performed music professionally since 2005, he has played live for over one million people just within the past three years. As part of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, which he co-founded with Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson, he has played at a variety of festivals spanning from the Newport Folk Festival to Bonnaroo, in addition to renowned venues such as the Grand Ole Opry. A multi-instrumentalist, Dom plays banjo, guitar, harmonica, fife, bones, bass drum, snare drum and quills, in addition to singing. He says that he incorporates his background in percussion to his banjo playing. Dom’s banjo repertoire includes not only clawhammer but also tenor and three-finger styles of playing. He first picked up the instrument when he borrowed a five-string banjo from a friend who had removed the instrument’s fifth string. As a founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, an African-American string band, Dom was able to explore his interest in bringing traditional music to new audiences. The band won a GRAMMY for its 2011 album Genuine Negro Jig and was nominated for its most recent album, Leaving Eden, in 2012.

THE SOUTH CAROLINA BROADCASTERS – OPENER Stars of the Lowe Vintage Radio Show, John Boy and Billy recording artists, and masters of primitive bluegrass, The South Carolina Broadcasters bring southern music at its finest. to the stage. Their razor sharp harmonies, exceptional multi-instrumentation, and fabulous song selection will have listeners riveted to their seats. This unique trio has put their own spin on the music of the foothills. They"ve been members of The Smokey Valley Boys and Roan Mountain Hilltoppers yet they"re not looking backward. Between Andy Edmonds" and David Sheppard"s ability to write a new song that sounds old and Ivy Sheppard"s prowess for digging up obscure field recordings, The Broadcasters most always have new songs in the works. Their recent release "Tell Me Truly" features a broad and mature mix of sounds ranging from Surry County bluegrass to Carter Family country and even the Cajun sounds of Lafayette. Audiences wherever they go connect with the Broadcasters through heart songs and good old fashioned entertainment.