(A recent article about Feed & Seed)

  The new venue opened in July of 2007, and promotes a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere where good friends and good music come together for old-fashioned fun and entertainment.

Both the new venue and the Redeye Ramblers band are well worth the short drive down to Fletcher for a fun evening of bluegrass.  The Asheville-based group has been playing traditional and orginal bluegrass and gospel music since the fall of 2006.    Inspired by the music of Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, and The Stanley Brothers, the Redeye Ramblers strive to preserve the vocal and instrumental character of the “founding fathers” of this uniquely American form of music which is at the core of our Western North Carolina cultural heritage.  Members of the band include Tom Mckinney (banjo), Mark Canter (bass), David Troxler (guitar), Bob Reynolds (mandolin) and Lori Little (fiddle).

Just as exiciting as the band is the historic building which houses the concert.    The Fletcher Supply Company was built in 1919 by the Youngblood family and served as the “heart of downtown Fletcher” for many many years. Over the years, the building, has been a butcher shop, pottery and ceramics studio, TV repair shop, bingo hall and a feed store.   The hardwood floors, 12-foot ceilings and hammered tin tiles on the ceiling have stood the test of time and create a unique ambience for experiencing our regional musical heritage.  The building has been recently updated and restored with the addition of a stage and nice sound system. 

Fletcher has undergone rapid change in recent times and the old Fletcher Supply Co building has long been an anchor for the community.   Many old buildings have given way to the developers bulldozers and our heritage is being lost one brick at a time.   Fortunately, there are still those who value history and value communities having their own distinct identities. 

Over a year ago, Phillip Trees, had a vision for making Feed & Seed into a community center celebrating the arts and embracing contextual music, film  and visual art which pay tribute to the mountain heritage of the area.  “We would love to see the lights on every evening, and something going on culturally with arts, music, meetings, seminars, book clubs, art viewings and bluegrass,” Trees said.

 Thanks to generous donations from fellow Fletcherites, Trees has outfitted the  historic venue with comfortable pews, chairs, couches and even rocking chairs under the front awnings of the old store.   The old-fashioned atmosphere pervades throughout including RC  Colas and Moon Pies which are available for sale during the shows.

In addition to serving as a cultural center for the community, the historic building is home to a church pastored by Phillip Trees.

Bands interested in playing in this unique venue can contact   Phillip Trees  at 828-216-3492

Our Creed for Feed & Seed

1 Peter 4:7-10