Railroad Earth
You can’t call yourself a food-devoted Southerner without making at least one pilgrimage to the Highlands Food & Wine Festival – and November 13–16 is your next chance to earn those stripes.
And so it follows that if barbecue is your gospel, then you’d best be at Smoke Signals on Friday, November 14, at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.
That afternoon, the church of smoke and flame will echo with the sounds of two powerhouse acts: Paul McDonald and the Mourning Doves, whose soul-drenched Americana sets the stage, and Railroad Earth, progressive bluegrass torchbearers known for turning live sets into near-religious experiences.
Among the pitmasters is Kyle Bryner of Dillard’s Blue Hound Barbecue, the Season 6 winner of Food Network’s BBQ Brawl, who brings his signature “Southern Appalachian BBQ”—a bold fusion of Texas firepower, Carolina vinegar, and deep mountain soul. The music won’t just accompany the meal—it’ll rise with the smoke and carry through the trees.
Paul McDonald
McDonald, the raspy-voiced troubadour who captured hearts during American Idol’s tenth season, has evolved far beyond his reality TV roots. After years of chasing an elusive sound, he’s found his musical home with the Mourning Doves, a band that channels the raw magic of his early days. His voice – often compared to Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan – delivers poetic narratives that demand to be heard, with that distinctive rasp that’s impossible to ignore. Drawing from Southern rock legends like the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd, mixed with Laurel Canyon influences and a dose of Tom Petty, McDonald’s sound has matured into something authentically his own.
Then comes Railroad Earth, the New Jersey septet that’s been redefining bluegrass since 2001. These aren’t your grandfather’s bluegrass pickers — they’re musical alchemists who blend traditional mandolins and fiddles with progressive elements. Named after a Jack Kerouac prose poem, they embody that wandering, improvisational spirit laid forth by the Grateful Dead. Led by songwriter Todd Sheaffer’s distinctive voice and guitar work, their technical virtuosity combines seamlessly with keen improvisational skills and a blend of Celtic, jazz, and Americana influences.
And while the music might steal a few headlines, don’t think for a second the food takes a backseat. Smoke Signals is still a showcase of open-fire cooking at its finest – chefs from across the region bring the smoke, spice, and Southern heat in a way that perfectly syncs with the sonic backdrop. Every brisket bite or smoked oyster feels amplified when Railroad Earth hits full stride.
At Smoke Signals, the faithful gather, the pit is pulpit, and the gospel is written in smoke and song. Call it barbecue. Call it bluegrass. Whatever it is, Smoke Signals makes believers out of us all.
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