McKinney

McKinney is a bass player and singer-songwriter. She spent her formative years in southern West

Virginia where she literally LIVED inside a music school. Deeply incapable of leaving the Appalachian

mountains, but needing an escape from her 6,000 person hometown, she landed right around the

bend in Asheville, NC.

When McKinney isn’t on stage you might find her teaching music lessons at LEAF Global Arts,

working shows at The Orange Peel, or at lock on the rugby pitch.

McKinney's music genre is about as fluid as the average Asheville resident's sexuality. Her Indie Pop

sound is blended with influence from her blues singer mother, a BFA in Jazz, and the 8 year old

version of herself that just wants to play classic rock. Although pinning down her genre may be hard,

you can consistently expect sad lyrics. You will probably enjoy her lyricism if you are emotionally

suppressed and enjoy listening to sad songs to make yourself feel better.

McKinney’s debut album “Bones” released on Feb 9th and explores themes of survivor's guilt, death,

and loss.

MAMA

Guest vocalist, MAMA recently won 2nd place at the International Blues Challenge representing the

Triangle Blues Society. She also won the Merlefest Band Competition in 2025 with McKinney on

bass. The family harmony between McKinney & her mom make for an unforgettable musical

experience.

Grace Campbell

Hailing from West Virginia, Grace Campbell brings her unique charm to the music scene. Her

captivating songwriting and magnetic personality have garnered her a dedicated fan base both locally

and on social media. "Bloom," her debut release, showcases Grace's evolution from a budding

songwriter into a fullfledged artist, navigating the challenges of adolescence to the identity crises

common in young adulthood. The album takes listeners on a journey through tales of young love,

heartbreak, self-discovery, and ultimately, self-acceptance

Emily Musolino

Hailing from Durham, North Carolina, Emily Musolino has been crafting a unique combination of soul

inspired, powerhouse vocals for nearly two decades. Influenced as a child by iconic female vocalists

Etta James and Janis Joplin, Musolino’s music emits a dynamic combination of blues and shredding

rock guitar with hints of jazz and classic outlaw country that only those with a mastery in music

composition can create. Traversing addiction, discrimination, and growing up LGBT in the southeast,

Musolino finds strength for her recovery in songwriting that culminates in authentic, pure music

infused with strong feminist and queer positive messaging.

After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2012, Emily moved back home to Durham, North

Carolina where she built her own recording studio, Blue Moose Studios. She quickly found her talents

recruited by Dark Water Rising and spent the following 4 years performing over 200 shows a year. In

2017, she transitioned to focus primarily on her solo work, fronting the Emily Musolino band and

releasing three albums of original material.

Studio owner, producer, singer-songwriter, Berklee graduate - Emily Musolino is a unique musical

talent that fits in no bounded box and brings an energetic excitement to every crowd, stage, and

venue that experiences her performances. You will find Emily on stages all across North Carolina and

beyond, from local Triangle staples like The Pour House Raleigh and Shakori Hills Grassroots

Festival to tours and festivals across the U.S. and Europe. No matter where she is playing, Emily

always delivers positive, inspiring music. Stay tuned on social media for upcoming show dates and

new releases.