Photo by Justin Casey
This year, you may see only one Americana string band from the tiny island community of Ocracoke, N.C. (known in the 18th century as a hangout for Blackbeard the Pirate). That band is Molasses Creek, coming Jan. 17 to Ashland Coffee and Tea. If you're a regular radio listener to A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor, you've likely heard them performing traditional as well as original music that's by turns humorous, wistful and moving. Molasses Creek, celebrating 20 years together, is made up of Gary Mitchell (guitar/vocals/bass), Dave Tweedie (fiddle/vocals/cittern), Lou Castro (dobro/bass/vocals), Marcy Brenner (mandolin/banjolin/bass/vocals) and Gerald Hampton (mandolin/upright bass/guitar). 8 p.m. $12 in advance, $15 day of show. 798-1702 or ashlandcoffeeandtea.com .
