Don Smith first appeared at Sacred Grounds at the turn of the New Millennium and has been a regular artist here for over 25 years in two different trios, in various one-off collaborations, and as a solo performer. Our audiences know him well for his storytelling songs as well as the accompanying stories that he often relates. Tonight, he returns to our stage with his good friend and Durham resident, Jack Deason. Those of you who saw Don’s show with Eric Thomas in January will remember Jack as the gentleman who joined Don on stage with his mandolin to play accompaniment on the quirky pop favorite ”Stuck in the Middle With You”. Tonight, they’ll be joining forces for an entire evening of all-acoustic pop, country, bluegrass, and traditional folk music on guitar, mandolin, and octave mandolin. Mark your calendar now to be here for what should be a really good show.
July 25, 2026 – Blake Addison
August 1, 2026 – Tokyo Rosenthal
“Rosenthal can draw you into his lyrics much the same way that James Taylor and Don Henley can”. “Take Jackson Browne’s personal confessions and wrap them in Kris Kristofferson’s world weary tales of broken relationships and you have an idea of what to expect from Tokyo Rosenthal.” “This is Americana with real teeth in the lyrics”. This and more is what the critics are saying about Tokyo Rosenthal. Tokyo has opened for America, Stephen Still and other recording stars plus toured the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, Scotland, Netherlands , etc. To save room listing his accomplishments, please go to tokyorosenthal.com and see for yourself. This should be an interesting night of music you don’t want to miss.
August 8, 2026 – The Parsons
Jon and Caroline Parsons have shared the joys and trials of their lives together with audiences for 25 years. It’s all there – the love, the loss, the work, the celebration – and it’s the real thing. Their songs, stories and voices are built for audiences ready to embrace the humor, beauty and mystery of life. They live in rural southeastern NC (Grays Creek) just south of Fayetteville.. Caroline is a gifted songwriter, singer and bassist, and Jon will juggle guitars, banjo, and mandolins – in addition to doing his best to keep up with Caroline’s singing! This duet is seasoned by more than 18 years of playing and singing together – and it shows.
August 15, 2026 – New Direction
New Direction is one of our favorite Bluegrass Gospel Bands at Sacred Grounds and always give a great performance. Bobby Gales plays guitar and banjo, Charity Dixon Gales plays a bass guitar, Brice Hursey plays guitar, Bobby’s son, Kendall, plays the mandolin and Sarah Walters plays the fiddle. Brice is an excellent guitarist and has performed several solo guitar performances at Sacred Grounds; Sarah is the latest addition to the group and has been in her family gospel bluegrass band since she was young! Very talented!!This group is comprised of fine musicians and singers – New Direction is also a fan favorite for their annual Christmas Special.
August 22, 2026 – Peggy Harris
Peggy Harris has been singing since the age of five years old and competing vocally since the age of nine. She is self-taught on the guitar. She has been a member of many musical groups, an active member in several arts councils including Rose Hill Arts Council in Aiken, SC and the Franklin County Arts Council in Louisburg, NC. She has also participated on the stage in many musicals and dramatic performances. Peggy went on the road professionally in the duet Dawnshadow for an East Coast tour with the hotel chain Rodeway Inns, including many states in the eastern US. Upon her return from the East Coast tour, Peggy became the front performer with the seven-member Southern Rock group Lady Luck. She was soon joined by her future and now deceased husband, Buck Harris for a ten-year stint and then a five-year stint with the contemporary Christian group Joyful Noise. At the passing of her husband Buck, she formed the Java Jivers trio, graced by the amazing talent of Tokyo Rosenthal. The group dissolved during the Covid epidemic and she is now playing for weekly church services, fundraisers and public events. This will be Peggy’s 5th solo concert here in the past year and a half and we are really excited having her back at Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse.
Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse 