Join us at the Floyd Country Store on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 7:00 pm for a live concert with The Wildmans & Highland Reverie. Tickets are $20, available for sale online and in the store.

The Wildmans

The Wildmans come from the hills of Floyd, Virginia, in the heart of the Appalachian mountain music tradition. From campsite jamming at festivals and fiddler’s conventions comes the foundation for musical exploration that sets this group apart, taking the audience on a musical journey that reflects the growth and passion of these talented musicians.

The band features award winning players: Eli Wildman, first place winner in mandolin at the Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention, 2018 and 2019, first place winner at the Mount Airy Fiddler’s 2017, 2018, 2019; Aila Wildman, first place winner in Old Time Fiddle and Best All Around Performer at the 83rd annual Galax Old Fiddlers convention in 2018; Victor Furtado, winner of the 2019 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo, and first place Old Time Banjo at Galax 2015, 2016 and 2019

The group has appeared on stages large and small, performing in festivals such as Red Wing Roots, Chantilly Farm’s Bluegrass and BBQ festival, Grey Fox Bluegrass, Floyd Fest, and The Steep Canyon Rangers’ Mountain Song Festival. They also regularly represent young talent along the Crooked Road in regional fiddler’s conventions. Having shared the stage with talents such as Bela Fleck, The Steep Canyon Rangers, The Steel Wheels, Danny Knicely, Sammy Shelor, Sierra Hull, Billy Strings, and more, these young musicians are making their way in the American stringband scene.

Highland Reverie

Influenced by the rich musical heritage of Appalachia, Luke and Madison Morris’ sound is rooted in the folk traditions they grew up in. Nonetheless, they use folk tradition as a jumping-off point into new sonic landscapes and imaginative songwriting. After crossing paths at bluegrass festival, the duo began playing together regularly in 2018. Both Luke and Madison grew up making music in the bluegrass scene.

Their lyrics and smooth harmonies take the front seat while soft arrangements help to tell the story of each song. Together, Luke and Madison Morris bring a modern take on tradition that continues to evolve while remaining rooted in the music of Appalachia. The first part of their name “Highland” simply refers to the area we call home. Old-time and bluegrass music from the Appalachian highlands is the foundation for everything they create. The second part of their name “Reverie” is a noun that describes a daydream or a trance. It is used in a musical context to describe music that provokes a dream-like, meditative state. They love the feeling of being completely locked into a musical moment while the world fades away around them and want their music to leave people lost in a reverie.