This summer, downtown Raleigh is proving to be a crucial part of the music scene with its latest project. Adding to a large selection of weekly music festivals, the new bluegrass concert series Pickin’ in the Plaza offers traditional southern variety. Produced by Deep South Entertainment, this bi-weekly series is held at City Plaza on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh on Thursday nights.
N.C. State alumnus and Pickin’ in the Plaza spokesperson Dave Rose credits the decision to start a bluegrass concert series in Raleigh after the state capital hosted the International Bluegrass Music Awards last year.
“After IBMA was over, Bluegrass bands were calling saying they wanted to play here because it is the bluegrass capital of the world,” Rose said. “The idea for this series became a precursor to the big bluegrass weekend that happens in September and will happen until 2018. This is a way to lead us in to the big finale that happens during the World of Bluegrass.”
Pickin’ in the Plaza is the sister series to DS Entertainment’s multi-genre Oak City 7. Pickin’ in the Plaza and Oak City 7 are distinctly different series’ except they take place in the same location on Thursdays. Oak City 7 is in its third year and has gained a huge following by offering food trucks, vendors and free music to downtown Raleigh. Pickin’ in the Plaza also helped to provide entertainment when Oak City 7 was on an off week.
“The reality was Oak City 7 had gotten pretty big,” Rose said. “The ‘7’ in the name refers to seven different shows every Thursday. Some people came for the food trucks and vendors; some came for the fact that it was a free concert. A lot of questions were asked about if it was an on or off week. A lot wasn’t happening in City Plaza on the off Thursdays. Pickin’ in the Plaza helped answer those questions because we were able to tell people on Thursday nights, DS Entertainment would be in City Plaza.”
DS Entertainment has maintained the festival feel of Pickin’ in the Plaza by hosting many of the vendors and food trucks present at Oak City 7. Keeping the series in the Raleigh area is a main goal for DS Entertainment. Rebecca Doyle of The Humble Pig food truck felt great respect for the music series’ hosts.
“We’re huge Deep South fans because they do a lot for Raleigh,” Doyle said. “Dave Rose and Amy were really great to us when we first opened our truck and let us park outside their bar.”
Instead of selling mainstream brews, DS Entertainment brings in Triangle breweries such as Lone Rider, Natty Greene’s, Big Boss, White Street, Starr Hill and Aviator to provide the alcohol at the concerts. Most of the food trucks such as Baguette About It and Tar Heel Creamery are Raleigh favorites, and the merchandise vendors, including Oak City Collective, House of Swank, The Record Krate and Bordeaux Lane Studio, feature North Carolina-made products that promote southern pride.
Being familiar with the area, Dave Rose wanted to work in music but also stay close to home. For many music professionals, this idea doesn’t seem possible.
“As I got my start in the music business, the number one piece of advice I got from other music people was to get out of Raleigh,” Rose said. “I didn’t like that answer, and I am very privileged to make a living in the music business in this city.”
Founded in 1995, Deep South Entertainment has continued to grow and serve the Triangle and surrounding area with quality productions and exciting events.
Dave Rose continues to find success in the music business, whether it be managing Grammy artists or operating his bar, Deep South. Rose is doing what he loves in the area he calls home.
“I have not worked a day in my life, and I throw parties for a living,” Rose said.
To find out more about Deep South Entertainment, visit www.deepsouthentertainment.com. Oak City 7 starts this week with bands taking the stage at 6 p.m. On July 31, Pickin’ in the Plaza begins at 5 p.m. with a Pre-Show Jam before Nixon, Blevins & Gage coming on at 6:30 p.m. and The Grass Cats starting at 8 p.m. Admission is free to both concert series.
