The Carolina Chocolate Drops will be coming to Charlottesville’s Jefferson Theater on Friday, April 25. Coming to mainstream attention over the past five years or so, the Carolina Chocolate Drops have done a lot to disrupt the typical stereotypes that surround country music.
The Carolina Chocolate Drops will be coming to Charlottesville’s Jefferson Theater on Friday, April 25. Coming to mainstream attention over the past five years or so, the Carolina Chocolate Drops have done a lot to disrupt the typical stereotypes that surround country music. A classic old-time “string band,” featuring fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and other traditional folk instruments, the Carolina Chocolate Drops have helped to shed light on the often-forgotten but very real tradition of African-American country music, which dates back a century or more. The attention they received for their 2010 major label debut, Genuine Negro Jig, led to tours with Bob Dylan, appearances at both Bonnaroo and the Grand Ole Opry, and an appearance on the Hunger Games soundtrack.
The group’s widespread appeal is largely due to their unconventional approach to a traditional style; rather than paint-by-numbers recreation of bygone sounds, the Carolina Chocolate Drops incorporate modern styles of music, especially hip hop and R&B, into their traditional Americana. This is demonstrated on their 2012 single “Country Girl,” from their most recent album, Leaving Eden. Check out the video below, and listen for the beatboxing and turntable sounds they throw into the mix:
At the end of next week, the Carolina Chocolate Drops will be bringing their invigorating and unique sound to the stage at the Jefferson Theater. Still led by Rhiannon Giddens and Hubby Jenkins, the group features a revamped lineup incorporating cellist Malcolm Parson and multi-instrumentalist Rowan Corbett, and will most likely be playing material from their upcoming T-Bone Burnett-produced new album, which we can look forward to later this year. Incorporating everything from traditional folk tunes to Tom Waits classics and popular R&B covers into their repertoire, there’s never a dull moment when Carolina Chocolate Drops are onstage, so you can expect an evening of fine entertainment when they play the Jefferson Theater next Friday!
WHAT: Carolina Chocolate Drops Bring Classic Americana With A Modern Twist to Charlottesville!
WHO: Carolina Chocolate Drops, David Wax Museum
WHERE: Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St, Charlottesville VA
WHEN: Friday, April 25, Doors open at 7 PM
ADMISSION: $22 in advance, $25 at the door–order tickets HERE
Best of all, you could see this show for free! Your friends at RVA Magazine have a pair of tickets to give away, and you could win them by plugging your info into the handy-dandy Punchtab widget below. Giveaway ends Friday at 5 PM, so enter before then, and keep an eye out for bonus chances to win!
