News

Jim Lauderdale, Aaron Burdett return for JAM Kids benefit

JAM Kids performed at the Mountain State Fair in September.

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 8, 2026

Acclaimed bluegrass musicians Jim Lauderdale, Aaron Burdett and Molly Johnson will perform at A Holiday Homecoming, an annual fundraising concert benefitting the Junior Appalachian Musicians of Henderson County, at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, at Trailside Brewing Co., 873 Lenox Park Drive.

Jim Lauderdale is a North Carolina-born country, bluegrass, and Americana singer/songwriting legend. Recently inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Lauderdale has recorded more than 34 studio albums, is a two-time Grammy winner and has written songs for George Strait, Blake Shelton, the Chicks, and more. He has graciously donated his time for the JAM Kids of Henderson County the past four years.

A Hendersonville native, Aaron Burdett is a Americana/folk singer-songwriter and performer who WNC magazine recognized listed as one of the region’s most important musicians. He’s won top awards in songwriting competitions hosted by Merlefest, the USA Songwriting Competition, Mountain Stage, the North Carolina Songwriter’s Co-op and Our State magazine. His last four albums have been voted top 20 Albums of the Year by WNCW radio listeners. In 2022, he joined the Grammy-winning Steep Canyon Rangers, and is currently on tour with the band full-time. 

From Pickens, South Carolina, Molly Johnson is an accomplished banjo player in both the three-finger and clawhammer styles. She grew up in the YAM/JAM programs and is now an instructor in Pickens, SC. She currently plays and sings in the band The Wilder Flower, which has performed at festivals such as Earl Scruggs Music Festival, Grey Fox, and MerleFest. She also tours with Lindsay Lou's Bluegrass Women project.

JAM Kids of Henderson County is an after-school program for children to learn to play our regional, traditional old-time, and bluegrass music. Executive Director Carol Rifkin, a nationally known performing artist, journalist and radio host, is an instructor and coordinates a group of accomplished classroom instructors. The children learn fiddle tunes, square dance, mountain songs, American folk songs and more, mainly by ear, playing fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass.

There are currently 46 students enrolled in the program. More information about the program, upcoming events and registration information can be found at frenchbroadvalleymusic.org.
The JAM Kids program is solely funded by donations and grants. All proceeds from the fundraiser go directly to help the students with:
• Loaner instruments
• Subsidized instruction
• Tuition scholarships for financially challenged families
• Music education and theory focused mainly on learning by ear.
• Local, regional and national performance opportunities.

The French Broad Valley Music Association is a non-profit that promotes regional mountain (old-timey) music in the French Broad Valley of Western North Carolina and sponsors the JAM Kids of Henderson County. To order tickets, donate or register visit frenchbroadvalleymusic.org.

Concert sponsors are United Community Bank, Boyd Automotive and Trailside Brewing Co.  All proceeds support the JAM Kids program, which is administered by the non-profit French Broad Valley Music Association. Tickets are $60 general admission, $100 VIP, and available here.