The Blue Ridge Music Center is presenting Rissi Palmer and Martha Bassett with an evening of soulful singing at 7 p.m., Saturday, July 15, in the outdoor amphitheater. The Music Center is located at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, just south of Galax.
Palmer’s gift lies in reaching across all musical boundaries. While she made her mark in country music, she is equally at home in R&B, bringing the entire spectrum of popular music to bear on music she calls “Southern Soul.”
The daughter of Georgia natives, Palmer was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and spent her adolescent years in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2007, she released her self-titled debut album, charting singles “Country Girl,” “Hold On To Me,” and “No Air.” Her most recent album, Revival, was released in 2019, and has been critically hailed as her most personal and uplifting work to date.
As a passionate voice for country artists of color and those who have been marginalized in mainstream country music, Palmer has helped shift the musical landscape in a positive direction. She launched the radio show Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer on Apple Music Country in 2020, treating listeners to in-depth conversations with artists of color, including Brittney Spencer, Cam, Chapel Hart, Crystal Shawanda, Maren Morris, Miko Marks, The War and Treaty, Darius Rucker, Mickey Guyton, and author/journalist Andrea Williams.
A few highlights throughout her musical career include performances at The White House, New York’s Lincoln Center and multiple appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. She has toured extensively across the country, sharing stages with Taylor Swift, The Eagles, Chris Young, Charley Crockett, and most recently with Miko Marks.
Opening the show is Martha Bassett, a native of West Virginia who is now based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Her alto-voice radiates as she performs in a wide array of musical genres, including jazz, folk, and country gospel. As a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, her solid stage presence captivates audiences.
She has performed at MerleFest, the Eastern Music Festival, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, and concert venues across the region. She is also the host, bandleader, and curator of the popular monthly radio program Martha Bassett Show held at the Reeves Theater in Elkin, N.C.
Tickets are $20 adults, free for children 12 and younger. Advance tickets are available online at BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org. Tickets can be purchased on the evening of the show at the admission gates.
Parking opens at 5:15 p.m. and is free. Admission to the amphitheater begins at 5:45 p.m.
