Our state has a rich musical history, producing trailblazers and all-time greats like John Coltrane and Nina Simone alongside contemporary favorites like The Avett Brothers and J. Cole.

The NC Museum of History continues to honor these humble beginnings with its ongoing concert series, Tar Heel Troubadours.

This celebration of music provides an intimate and accessible platform (tickets are $15 and under) featuring up-and-coming and seasoned NC artists in genres like Americana, bluegrass, roots, traditional + more.

Let’s look at three upcoming shows and see how these artists are digging their heels into NC’s music history.

Shannon Whitworth + Woody Platt

Catch this Brevard-based husband and wife duo on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Whitworth and Platt both boast their own unique musical accomplishments, including Whitworth’s critically acclaimed 2009 album Water Bound, which drew comparisons to Emmy Lou Harris. Platt is also a founding member of the Grammy award-winning band Steep Canyon Rangers.

Rissi Palmer + Miko Marks

Experience Southern Soul (a genre-shattering blend of country, R&B, Southern rock, and gospel) on Friday, Oct. 4 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Palmer and Marks are carving out a new path in country music for artists of color, who have traditionally been marginalized in mainstream country music.

Henhouse Prowlers

Round out the fall performances on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with these bluegrass ambassadors. The quartet travels worldwide, sharing the history of traditional American folk music through performances, including in North Carolina classrooms. Founded two decades ago, the group now embraces the intersection of performance, diplomacy, and education.

All performances are held in the North Carolina Museum of History's intimate 300-person venue, where each seat offers an exceptional view + optimal sound quality. Tickets are available online.

Bonus: You can listen to every artist from the 2023-2024 concert series on this curated playlist.

Reserve your spot