Music to Your Ears Discussion Series: JODY CARROLL

Hosted by the
Asheville Guitar Bar, a discussion series provides deeper understanding and
greater enjoyment of music forms including rock, soul, blues and jazz. Led by
Asheville author and music journalist Bill Kopp, Music to Your Ears is an
interactive experience that shines a light on important music. Music to Your
Ears is a 90-minute conversation, held at the Guitar Bar, a music magnet in
Asheville’s historic River Arts District. The May 3 event features special guest Jody Carroll.
Delta blues is one of the richest and fascinating strains of American music. From the muddy Mississippi Delta
comes this primarily acoustic, deeply soulful and historically significant style. Charley Patton, Robert Johnson
and Big Joe Williams were important figures in the music; more than a century old, Delta blues remains vital
thanks to current-day practitioners like Jody Carroll. (jodycarroll.com)
Carroll combines his interpretations of Delta blues classics with his original material, stories and an engaging
presentation that showcases his fingerstyle guitar work. His music draws from other genres – rock, jazz,
country and more – creating something unique in the process. Carroll is a traveling musician, though for a time
he set aside his itinerant ways and was based in Asheville. During that time he was a regular and beloved
fixture at Asheville Guitar Bar. He has since returned to the road, but Carroll is making a special and long-
awaited return for a performance at AGB on Thursday, May 4.
And this month’s Music to Your Ears is a special entry: it provides an additional opportunity to see, hear and
meet Jody Carroll. On Wednesday, May 3 – the evening before his concert – MTYE host Bill Kopp welcomes
Jody Carroll for an evening of conversation and music. We’ll explore Carroll’s musical roots and inspirations,
learn about his creative process, and enjoy some up-close-and-personal music. As always, Music to Your Ears
is a discussion, and the active participation of attendees is what makes the evening an experience far beyond
a talk or a mere concert.
ABOUT THE DISCUSSION SERIES
Music to Your Ears is Bill Kopp’s monthly discussion series hosted by Asheville Guitar Bar and co-sponsored
by AshevilleFM. On the first Wednesday of each month, music enthusiasts gather to discuss an important
album, artist or musical movement. An interactive evening, Music to Your Ears isn’t a lecture; it’s a discussion
led by experts and designed to enrich the listening experience. The character of each session is defined by the
participants (that’s you). The conversation goes where the attendees take it: the person seated next to you
might have attended Woodstock or seen The Beatles in concert. The insights of everyone in the room are what
make each and every Music to Your Ears a unique experience.
ABOUT BILL KOPP
With over 500 bylines in Western North Carolina publications (Mountain Xpress, Bold Life, WNC Magazine and
more), Asheville-based author and music journalist is an acknowledged expert on popular music. Author of two
books – Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon and Disturbing the Peace:
415 Records and the Rise of New Wave – Bill Kopp writes for publications across the country and abroad. A
contributing editor at Goldmine Magazine and contributing writer at GRAMMY.com, he has authored more than
30 album liner note essays and conducted more than 1000 interviews. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions
on artists and albums of historical importance, and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and
podcasts.