Roots rocker Andy Buckner adds grit to country

Without roots planted deep in Southern soil, American music would be missing one of its most important foundations.

Country rocker Andy Buckner has absorbed those legacies of old-time, blues, bluegrass, country and soul to create a personal style with an outlaw country edge. He calls his sound “just good Southern music.” Buckner has performed at the White Horse Black Mountain many times, attracting large and enthusiastic crowds, and he returns to the venue Aug. 15 for an evening of down-home music.

Buckner’s North Carolina mountain childhood was filled with music. He decided to become a performer after seeing David Holt play a concert with Buckner’s first cousin, Josh Goforth. He became obsessed with learning every instrument he could find. By the age of 16, he was playing bass, banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro and more.

During this time he also discovered his calling as a songwriter, all the while maintaining a busy schedule competing at festivals, touring, and performing with many established artists and bands.

After graduating from high school, he attended East Tennessee State University, becoming the first freshman since Kenny Chesney to earn a spot in the prestigious ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band.

Buckner has since positioned himself as a dynamic solo artist with an authentic Southern country boy perspective.

Down-home get-down

Who: Andy Buckner

When: 8 p.m. Aug. 15

Where: White Horse Black Mountain

Cost: $10