Author: North Carolina Arts Council
On Tuesday May 28th, Mandolin Orange played a special set at the North Carolina Executive Mansion in Raleigh to help usher in a partnership between Come Hear North Carolina and the Americana Music Association (AMA). Governor Roy Cooper and First Lady Kristin Cooper hosted musicians, AMA members, and press to celebrate all that North Carolina has given to the world of music, and Mandolin Orange provided the perfect soundtrack to the occasion.
The duo – comprised of Chapel Hill’s Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz – treated the crowd to an intimate set, showcasing their range as both songwriters and musicians. The set concluded with a special version of fan-favorite “Wildfire,” with a surprise appearance from John Teer of Chatham County Line on fiddle. The song tells a brief history of America’s sordid past, begging an answer to why racism still prevails despite the bloody Civil War fought to end it, and how bigotry can spread like wildfire if left un-checked.
During the proclamation of the partnership, Americana Music Association’s Executive Director Jed Hilly remarked, “If everyone in the world listened to one hour of Americana music, we’d have world peace.” After that evening’s rendition of “Wildfire,” it would be hard to argue in the contrary. Hear for yourself below.