Balsam Range is Buddy Melton (fiddle, lead and tenor vocals); Dr. Marc Pruett (banjo); Tim Surrett (bass, dobro, baritone and lead vocals); and Caleb Smith (guitar, lead & baritone vocals). The four original members are all acoustic musicians and singers from western North Carolina. They thoughtfully and respectfully adopted the name of a majestic range of mountains that surround part of their home county of Haywood, NC where the Great Smoky Mountains meet the Blue Ridge, the Great Balsam Range.

The 2018 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year, Balsam Range, has become one of the genre’s most award-winning acts. Since forming in 2007, the group has garnered 13 IBMA awards on the heels of 13 critically acclaimed albums. Balsam Range has left audiences spellbound while headlining major festivals from coast-to-coast, selling out venues across the nation and in multiple appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. The band collaborated with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra Ensemble to record 2 albums, the second of which, Mountain Overture, debuted on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart at #5 and the Classical Crossover Chart at #6. Their album Mountain Voodoo debuted at #4 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums Chart and remained on that chart for 45 weeks. Three singles from that album reached #1 on the Bluegrass Today Chart, including “Blue Collar Dreams,” which spent three consecutive months at the top. The follow-up album, Aeonic debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart and spent 46 total weeks on the chart. The album featured hit songs like “The Girl Who Invented The Wheel,” “Get Me Gone” and “Angel Too Soon.”

The band most recently claimed the #1 radio chart spots with their singles, “Richest Man,” “Grit and Grace,” “Rivers, Rains and Runaway Trains,” “Santa Barbara” and “Highway Side” all from their latest album (#13 for the band,) 2021’s Moxie and Mettle.

In addition to winning Entertainer of the Year, Balsam Range vocalist Buddy Melton won IBMA’s Male Vocalist of the Year and bass player Tim Surrett won IBMA’s Bass Player of the Year in 2018.

In 2022, founding member Darren Nicholson left the band to pursue his solo career.

FAQs

By attending any event associated with the Surry Arts Council, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending the event, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold the Surry Arts Council liable for any illness or injury.

Handicap Accessible?

The orchestra section of the venue is handicap accessible. Please call 336.786.7998 for special seating requests. For mobility issues, drop-off is available in front of the venue. 

What is the refund policy?

Tickets are non-refundable.

Do I need to buy a ticket for my child?

Children of all ages are required to have a ticket at all Surry Arts Council events, unless otherwise specified. 

What are my parking options for the event?

Municipal parking (located at 127 Franklin St, Mt. Airy, NC 27030) offers free, all day parking and bus accommodations. Free on-street parking is available within walking distance of the venue. 

What time does the Box Office open?

Box Office opens one hour prior to event.

Are food/drinks available?

Yes. Popcorn, pre-packaged candies, and bottled drinks are available for purchase.

Restrooms?

ADA compliant restroom facilities are available. 

Are Pets Allowed?

Only service animals are permitted.

Only dogs are recognized as service animals under titles II and III of the ADA.

Service animals are further defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

Each service animal must remain with its owner and be restrained at all times.

How can I contact the organizer with any further questions?

You can email the organizer heatherw@surryarts.org