Entertainment

A who’s who of NC musical acts will perform together (virtually) for the arts

9th Wonder, Ben Folds, Fantasia and other North Carolina musical luminaries are coming together to help the arts community as it struggles during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Under One Roof” will stream live throughout the evenings of April 24-26 with viewers asked to donate to the North Carolina Arts Foundation. The nonprofit foundation will then distribute proceeds to the numerous relief funds for artists that have been established as concerts, performances, festivals and entire seasons have been postponed or canceled.

The lineup features a mashup of artists across genres, some who typically wouldn’t be seen on the same bill together: Think power-pop pianist Ben Folds and rapper Petey Pablo, for example.

But all of the acts either grew up or still live in North Carolina and have been advocates for the state’s music scene.

The lineup, according to a news release, includes: “Anthony Hamilton (Charlotte), 9th Wonder, Fantasia (High Point), Ben Folds (Winston-Salem), The Hamiltones (Morrisville, Charlotte, Greensboro), Petey Pablo (Greenville), Tift Merritt (Raleigh), Jim Lauderdale (Troutman), Steep Canyon Rangers (Asheville), Chatham County Line (Raleigh), Joe Troop of Che Apalache (Winston-Salem), and The Harvey Cummings Project (Charlotte).”

After the initial event announcement, organizers added Rapsody, Little Brother, Mandolin Orange and Brooke Simpson to the lineup.

Besides performances of their own music and covers, the artists will share previous performances and “offer messages of encouragement.”

The performances and appearances will be broadcast in one-hour segments on Facebook and Twitch from 8 to 9 p.m. Go to https://bit.ly/3adDyeP for the schedule.

Line Up of Artists and Schedule

Friday April 24, 8-9 p.m.

  • The Harvey Cummings Project
  • Mandolin Orange
  • Ben Folds
  • The Hamiltones
  • Little Brother

Saturday April 25, 8-9 p.m.

  • Brooke Simpson
  • Tift Merritt
  • Chatham County Line
  • Rapsody
  • Steep Canyon Rangers
  • 9th Wonder

Sunday April 26, 8-9 p.m.

  • Joe Troop (Che Apalache)
  • Jim Lauderdale
  • Petey Pablo
  • Fantasia
  • Anthony Hamilton
  • Community Land Trust

Like other industries, performing and visual arts organizations as well as individual artists, both big and small, face devastating economic losses during the coronavirus pandemic. With stay-at-home orders and bans on large gatherings in place for the near future, it’s unclear when things will return to normal.

The event is organized by CLTure, a Charlotte-based entertainment publication, as part of Come Hear NC initiative that promotes the state’s music and its heritage.

This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 2:30 PM with the headline "A who’s who of NC musical acts will perform together (virtually) for the arts."

Follow More of Our Reporting on Coronavirus in North Carolina

Jessica Banov
The News & Observer
Jessica Banov is a news editor and audience growth specialist at The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun. She was part of the team from The N&O and The Charlotte Observer that was named a 2025 Pulitzer Prize finalist for Breaking News for coverage of Hurricane Helene. She also serves as The N&O’s intern program coordinator. 
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