ROB McHALE and RUPERT WATES
Rob McHale
Rob McHale is a North Carolina songwriter and storyteller whose songs can take you through a small town, down a dirt road or on an historical journey – and bring you back home again.
Rob currently performs regionally, internationally, and in select US cities, combining stories and songs about some of our greatest legends. He sometimes leads a band but will perform solo at Fiddler’s Green. Since 2017 he has told the Tom Dooley Legend at the grave of Laura Foster (for whom Tom was hanged for murdering ) at sundown under candlelight at the Happy Valley Fiddler’s Convention, in the heart of Tom Dooley Country. Rob released a podcast, “The Real Tom Dooley Story”,‘ on January 9th, 2020.
In addition to general performances, Rob performs as a host at libraries. historical societies and arts councils, presenting historical programs of songs he has crafted about some of our greatest folk legends, including Woody Guthrie, The Saluda Grade, Moonshine Racers, Junior Johnson, General George Custer, Jesse James, Billy the Kid, and Tom Dooley. He also offers ballads and stories about small towns and a few love songs. Rob was named Folk Artist of the Year 2019 by the International Music and Entertainment Association ( IMEA).
Rupert Wates
Rupert Wates was born in London, UK, and has been based in the US since 2007. He signed a publishing deal with Eaton Music (London) in 1994 and has been a full-time songwriter ever since.
Rupert has won over 50 songwriting and performing awards. In 2018 he performed as a Finalist in the Kerrville New Folk Song Contest, and an Emerging Artist at Falconridge Folk Festival. He was voted Artist Of The Year by the Listening Room Network in both 2013 and 2016. More than 25 of his songs have been covered by other artists, including two full length tribute albums to his material recorded by independent artists in Nashville and Los Angeles.
He has released 10 solo albums, tracks from which have been played on radio worldwide. He averages 120 live shows a year, in every state in the US, in Canada and in Europe. Colorado Central Magazine describes his songs as “sublime folk hymns,” while Folk And Acoustic Music Exchange adds, “This is one gifted s.o.b… If you’re not hip to this guy you’re missing out.”