Wayne Erbsen

Wayne is a master of a number of styles of music including old-time, bluegrass, folk, Appalachian, cowboy, pioneer, railroad, gospel and music of the Civil War. As a solo performer living in Asheville, North Carolina, he plays clawhammer and bluegrass banjo, fiddle, mandolin and guitar. His repertoire is over one thousand songs. A typical program would include songs, stories, history and humor mixed with hot instrumentals. Wayne can design an educational musical program perfectly suited to the occasion and the audience.

If your festival, party, wedding celebration or conference is looking for a larger group, Wayne often performs with additional musicians as a duet, trio, or four-piece bluegrass or old-time band. He can also play for old-time dances and provide a dance caller.

Wayne has performed at colleges, coffee houses, concert halls, historic societies, museums, clubs, and festivals both in America and in western Europe. He has recorded eighteen solo CDs and written twenty-nine instruction and song books.  Wayne has appeared on Sesame Street and his music has been selected to be distributed by NPR’s Wireless Catalog. Many of Wayne’s recordings have been included on numerous educational interactive CDs including American Heritage’s CD of the Civil War and Microsoft’s Encarta 2004. He has won numerous prizes at fiddler’s conventions including 1st place clawhammer banjo (Galax, Virginia, 1973) and 1st place senior old-time fiddler (Fiddler’s Grove, NC 2004). Wayne is included in North Carolina Touring Arts Directory.

For the past thirty years, Wayne has had his own radio show called "Country Roots" on Asheville’s public radio station, WCQS, 88.1 FM. Listen Sunday nights from 7:00 - 9:00 EST at http://www.wcqs.org/

The Wayne Erbsen Band, from Asheville, North Carolina, showcases their powerful, soulful singing and fiery instrumentals. Playing bluegrass and clawhammer banjo, guitar, fiddle and mandolin is Wayne Erbsen himself. Dana Ward is featured on lead and harmony vocals and rhythm guitar. Dudley Wilson sings harmony and lead vocals and plays the doghouse bass. Picking the Dobro, pedal steel and banjo is Tom Pittman, who is a former member of the legendary Austin Lounge Lizards.

This band is perfect to play for your wedding celebration, party, or other festive events.

For information about open performance dates and fees, call Wayne at (828) 299-7031, or email him at banjo [at] nativeground.com

Here's Wayne demonstrating a minstrel banjo.

Wayne Erbsen singing the North Carolina murder ballad, "Little Sadie."

 

 

Listen to Wayne's music by clicking on the music icons, below.

Silver Bells RA

Billy the Kid RA

John Brown's Dream RA

Brother Green RA

Waiting for the Federals RA

Battle of Bull Run RA

Dony Gal RA

Turkey in the Straw RA

Jack of Diamonds RA

Sugar in the Gourd RA

Sweet Evelina RA

Wayfaring Stranger RA

Rock Island Line RA

Railroad Corral RA

Paddy on the Railway RA

Man of Constant SorrowRA

Freight Train Boogie RA

Arkansas Traveler RA

Soldier's Joy RA

" The audience was enthralled with the wonderful Wayne Erbsen concert last Sunday. He had a wonderful stage presence - he had everyone singing along on some songs." --Patricia Samford,  North Carolina Historic Site, Bath, North Carolina.

"I'd like to thank you for the splendid program you did for us. You blended just the right amount of history and music and the audience participation was perfect. Thanks so much for a lively evening." --Carrie Holthouser, Western N.C. Civil War Roundtable.

Thanks for the excellent programs you brought to Harnett County, NC. Everywhere I've been the past few days, people are talking about the concert. Thank you for being willing to bring your gifts so far." --Susan Morrow, Harnett County Schools.

 

Workshops

Free Tabs

Facebook: nativeground Twitter: Native_ground

Free Video Lessons