Dean Driver, Nancy Middleton, Jeff Hart & Wes Collins

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North 87 South, 8874 Hwy 87, Graham, NC

Come out and see four unique songwriters performing in the round (basically taking turns playing original songs) at North 87 South's first Songwriters' Round. Cost is $5, all of which goes to music scholarships for deserving students from northern Chatham and southern Alamance County schools.

Jefferson Hart Jefferson Hart has been playing in NC and the Southeast since '87. His music has been on college airwaves since the early 90s, was band member with such NC notables as Chris Stamey, Two Dollar Pistols, Robert Kirkland and co-founder of The Hanks, Jeff Hart & The Ruins, Brown Mountain Lights and The Ghosts of the Old North State. His music was featured on the Veronica Mars TV show.

“Built on a base of country twang but finished with touches of British Invasion rock, ’60s garage pop, ’70s Laurel Canyon and, of course, native North Carolina bluegrass and jangle pop, Ghosts of the Old North State reveals Hart as an equally fine collector and creator. ” - The Independent Weekly

Dean Driver Dean Driver’s music does not easily fit into any particular category, but has hints of classical, classic rock, and R&B. This is a reflection, no doubt, of his eclectic early influences like John Denver, the Beatles, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Cliff Eberhardt, along with healthy doses of Mozart and Vivaldi. A lyricist at heart, his songs orbit around big ideas – love, peace, and our interconnectedness – but try not to take themselves too seriously. Dean only began writing songs and performing in his late forties, and part of his message is to encourage listeners of all ages to step outside their comfort zones, embark on new adventures, and listen to their inner artistic voices. With the help of many talented, generous friends, he produced his first album in 2013, aptly named, “Late Bloomer.”

Nancy Middleton One of North Carolina’ iconic songwriters, Nancy gained national recognition with One of North Carolina’s iconic songwriters, Nancy gained national recognition with her album The Way I Do. After a successful move to Nashville, she returned home to Durham to continue her career as one of the most popular performers in the area. Her most recent album is the highly acclaimed "Loaded."

Wes Collins Wes Collins got a late start to songwriting but he's all about it now. Wes took first place in the 2012 North Carolina Songwriter's Co-op Song Contest, and made the finals in the 2013 Kerrville TX New Folk Competition. He released his first CD One Layer Down in January 2013, and in 2015 he made it back to Kerrville as one of the six winners.

In just the past year Wes has played Nashville's Bluebird Cafe, The Threadgill Stage in Kerrville, TX, Blue Rock Studio Stage in Wimberley, TX and more. He's hard at work writing his second album, and is excited about how it's turning out. I hope to take these new songs into the studio some time within the next year.