MOTS: Dehlia Low and the Wiyos

Music on the Square
Published: May 28, 2008

JONESBOROUGH – Come out to listen and see the lively bluegrass fiddling and vocals of Dehlia Low and the vaudeville–esque ragtime of the Wiyos during Music on the Square in downtown Jonesborough Friday May 30 at 7 p.m.

Dehlia Low is a new Asheville band combining a classic bluegrass and country blues sound with fresh energy. The band features honest, hard-hitting vocals with powerful harmony singing backed up by masterful dobro and mandolin playing, lively fiddling and a booming upright bass. Members include Anya Hinkle on vocals, guitar and fiddle; Aaron Ballance on dobro, pedal steel and guitar; Stacy Claude on vocals and guitar; Greg Stiglets on bass and Bryan Clendenin on mandolin.

The Wiyos play and compose music inspired by the early American musical idioms of the 1920s and ‘30s. Their music comes from a time before commercial formatting separated blues from country, ragtime from gospel and swing from hillbilly. With an instrumentation of washboard/harmonica/kazoo, resonator guitar/banjo, upright bass and three harmony vocals, The Wiyos’ live performance transports audiences back to an era before TV and mass media were the main sources of entertainment. With infectious exuberance and theatrical skill, they create a visual spectacle in the tradition of vaudeville–esque performers They appeal to everyone from hipsters to seasoned music connoisseurs, from children to bikers. Everywhere they play, The Wiyos charm and amuse audiences with their exuberant style of old–timey music, passionately carrying this rich musical heritage into the 21st century.

For more information, call the Jonesborough Visitors Center, 423-753-1010 or click http://www.musiconthesquare.com.