Concerts at The Grey Eagle

Rare Bird Farm & The Grey Eagle Present The Old Marshall Jail Ballad Swap is a celebration of Appalachian heritage, hosted by  Sheila Kay Adams, Donna Ray Norton, and Melanie Rice with MC Josh Copus. This casual “front porch” gathering brings together ballad singers from across the region to share stories and songs that have been passed down for generations. Madison County, known for its rich ballad tradition, was famously described by English folk song collector Cecil Sharp as a “nest of singing birds” in 1916. The ballad tradition here goes back at least nine generations, making it one of the oldest unbroken oral traditions in the U.S.

Although the Old Marshall Jail was damaged by Hurricane Helene, the Ballad Swap will continue at new locations, starting with the Grey Eagle. Join us as we preserve and celebrate this important cultural tradition on the road! We will also be sharing information about our upcoming album release – The Marshall Sessions as the Nest of Singing Birds and our recent invitation to the Folk Alliance International showcase in Montreal, Canada in Feb 2025.