Singing on the Land Celebrates NC Historic Sites Through the Voices of Musicians

“Singing on the Land” celebrates the stories of historic sites across North Carolina through the voices of North Carolina musicians. The nine-week series offers a new release every week on Wednesdays throughout the fall.

“With ‘Singing on the Land’ we stitch together the power of place with history and music, through the extraordinary artistry of North Carolina musicians,” said Michelle Lanier, director of the N.C. Division of State Historic Sites. “These virtual events amplify our diverse voices and allow for a powerful reflection of community, providing a much-needed source of solace and connection.”

Each episode of “Singing on the Land” will feature a single song acoustic performance paired with short interviews and environmental footage of the site’s landscape and landmarks.

The series features performances by North Carolina musicians and singers, including Country-soul singer Rissi Palmer with James Gilmore, Blues musician Lakota John, traditional musician Jimmy Vipperman, classical singer Carly Prentis Jones, N.C. Heritage Award winner Arnold Richardson, opera singer Andrea Edith Moore and cellist Shana Tucker, the trio of Bill Amey, Kennedy Atkinson and Nicole Sibalo Chagwiza and kora player Teli Shabu.

Developed by North Carolina State Historic Sites and Properties in partnership with the North Carolina Arts Council and Come Hear NC, the series also will make stops at Town Creek Indian Mound in Mt. Gilead, Historic Stagville in Durham, Brunswick Town and Fort Anderson in Winnabow, the Alamance Battleground in Burlington, the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum in Sedalia and Somerset Place in Creswell. 

The “Singing on the Land” full playlist is available on YouTube.

“Singing on the Land” received fiscal sponsorship from The Friends of Town Creek Indian Mound and funding from the Orton Foundation.