FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Stacy Chandler
PineCone Communications Manager
communications@pinecone.org
919-664-8333 (office)
919-946-6685 (cell)
Amy Grossmann
North Carolina Folklife Institute
staff@ncfolk.org
336-223-5956 (office)
Raleigh, NC — September 3, 2025 — PineCone and the North Carolina Folklife Institute (NCFI) are partnering to present a powerful lineup of gospel music performances and dynamic panel discussions as part of the Raleigh Wide Open Festival, taking place October 3–4, 2025 in downtown Raleigh.
This new partnership reflects the organizations’ shared mission to celebrate and promote folk and traditional arts while creating meaningful opportunities for community engagement. Together, PineCone and NCFI will highlight the rich heritage of gospel music in North Carolina—its artistry, its history, and its enduring power to connect people across generations.
The gospel programming at Raleigh Wide Open has been developed under the artistic curation of Jared Payton, a Fayetteville-based musician, educator, and founder/director of The Legacy Chorale. Payton has shaped the vision of this year’s performances, ensuring the program both honors tradition and reflects the vitality of gospel music today. “I’m honored to serve as curator of the gospel performances for the Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival and thrilled my choir will share our gifts on this incredible stage,” said Payton.
Featured Gospel Performers
Audiences can experience performances throughout the festival from:
- Jared Payton & The Legacy Chorale (Fayetteville, NC)
- Jalessa Cade (Dunn, NC)
- The Gospel Jubilators (Raleigh/Durham, NC)
- Chris Johnson & Freedom (Fayetteville, NC)
- Kingdom Voices United (Harnett County, NC)
Featured Discussions Discussions
In addition to live performances, the festival will host four engaging panel sessions in the City of Raleigh Museum that bring artists, documentarians, and community voices together to explore the roots, influence, and future of gospel music:
Friday, October 3
- The Art of Gospel Quartet Bass Singing: Scholar and performer Kendall Kent explores the gospel quartet tradition through the powerful role of the bass voice, highlighting his inspirations and mentors Warren Baldwin of Raleigh’s Capital City Five and William Bobo of the legendary Dixie Hummingbirds.
Saturday, October 4
Gospel Radio Lab hosted by Cardo Grant
From its roots in church choirs and quartets to its role on the airwaves, these three talks celebrate gospel’s power to inspire, connect, and sustain community.
- Origins of Gospel Radio in the Piedmont: Trace the beginnings of gospel radio in North Carolina, from pioneering broadcasts at HBCUs to the partnerships between Black churches and local stations that gave rise to legendary DJs and voices.
- Gospel Radio’s Role in the Civil Rights & Post–Civil Rights Era: Discover how gospel radio became both soundtrack and lifeline – amplifying Black voices, spreading vital news, and preserving the living history of a community in motion.
- The Present & Future of Gospel Radio: Look ahead as innovators explore streaming, podcasts, and digital platforms, charting how gospel radio continues to inspire and connect new generations.
“A central part of our work at the North Carolina Folklife Institute is to create opportunities for North Carolinians to experience and engage with the cultural traditions that shape our communities,” said Amy Grossmann, Executive Director of NCFI. “Our collaboration with PineCone at Raleigh Wide Open allows us to celebrate the artistry and heritage of gospel music, while providing space for conversations that honor its deep roots in North Carolina’s cultural landscape.”
“I am so excited about this collaboration,” said PineCone Executive Director David Brower. “It’s nearly impossible to sit still when you hear these groups sing and perform, their joy and jubilation is infectious. I think we could all use a little more joy in our lives these days, and this lineup will deliver.”
The gospel performances and panel sessions are presented by the North Carolina Folklife Institute in partnership with PineCone with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the North Carolina Arts Council, with additional support from the City of Raleigh Museum.
For full festival details, visit raleighwideopen.com.
ABOUT THE NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLIFE INSTITUTE
The North Carolina Folklife Institute (NCFI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1974 to preserve, promote, and present the diverse folklife of North Carolina. Through documentation, education, public programs, and advocacy, NCFI supports the traditional cultures and communities that shape the state’s identity and history. NCFI collaborates with artists, cultural organizations, and community partners statewide to celebrate living traditions, from music and dance to craft, foodways, and oral history. Current programs include the NC Folklife Apprenticeship Program, cultural festivals, exhibitions, and the Legends & Lore Marker Program. Learn more at www.ncfolk.org.
ABOUT PINECONE
PineCone, the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Raleigh founded in 1984 with a mission to preserve, present and promote traditional folk music and dance in North Carolina. PineCone, a resident company at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, produces an annual concert series as well as the Raleigh Wide Open festival, one of Raleigh’s signature events drawing 200,000+ people downtown and generating an annual direct economic impact of $18 million for Wake County. PineCone also hosts jam sessions, workshops, and summer camps to help bring people closer to the music they love and build community. PineCone is where roots music matters. For more information, visit pinecone.org.
ABOUT RALEIGH WIDE OPEN
The Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival is one of North Carolina’s premier cultural celebrations, blending world-class music with local flavor in the heart of downtown Raleigh. A free, family-friendly event produced by PineCone and presented by PNC Bank, the festival features performances across multiple genres, including bluegrass, Americana, gospel, and folk, alongside craft markets, food trucks, beer gardens, and more. Now entering its 13th year, the festival continues to showcase Raleigh as a vibrant hub for music, community, and cultural tourism. For more information, visit raleighwideopen.com.
###
