While we're in the doldrums between college basketball seasons, here's a chance to see some really good alt-country music in western North Carolina. An extremely talented singer-songwriter from the Washington DC area (and a friend of mine), Mary Battiata will be playing two shows.

The first show is Monday, August 12, at 7:30 p.m. in Black Mountain, at White Horse Black Mountain. More info here: https://www.whitehorseblackmountain...of-events.html

The second show is Wednesday, August 14, at 8 p.m. in Asheville, at Fleetwood's on Haywood. More info here: https://fleetwoodschapel.com/events/

Mary's music is a beautiful blend of country, rock, and folk. Her latest album, The Heart, Regardless, has earned her comparisons to Dolly Parton and Rosanne Cash. It was my favorite album of 2017 and I still play it an awful lot. If you want to get a preview of it, it's on Spotify (but if you like it, please help the artist and buy the album). More info about Mary's music here: http://littlepinktheband.com/index2.htm

If you go, tell her Matt Chambers sent you!