JUSTIN WELLS x ABE PARTRIDGE

@ The Spot on Kirk in Roanoke, VA

Justin Wells:

With Justin Wells’ latest album, Cynthiana, the Kentucky singer-songwriter once again stokes the fiery depths of his pure intent, the core elements of the record revolving around things that matter most in life — steadfast family, genuine friends, and creative fulfillment. “This album’s just coming from the place where my heart is right now,” Wells says. “It feels gentler, especially when you put it in the context of the work that I did 10 or 15 years ago.” Captured by Grammy-nominated producer Duane Lundy at his legendary studio in Lexington, Kentucky, Cynthiana came about as an ode to Wells’ wife, Andrea, with whom he first crossed paths with in their high school gymnasium when they were teenagers. That was exactly 25 years ago. “Cynthiana is the small central Kentucky town where we met,” the 42-year-old Wells says. “This album is inspired by Andrea — her femininity and her grace and her power,” Wells says. “There’s little pieces of her in all of these songs.”

The 10-song LP harnesses the raw power and lyrical honesty that’s made Wells a stoic figure in the rich, vibrant tapestry of Americana, alt-country and folk bubbling up over the last decade or so from The Bluegrass State — with Wells’ tone and talent quickly spilling out to the rest of the country. For Wells, it’s the endless open road and cultivating his audience gig by gig, whether it be some middle of nowhere neon-lit roadhouse or jumping onstage at major American festivals each year.

“Cranking up the amps and gliding down the fretboard of his Fender Telecaster, singer-songwriter Justin Wells — in a similar tone to the late, great George Jones — rumbled across the Outpost stage, the sweat of a humid mid-summer afternoon dripping from his forehead,” Rolling Stone wrote of his recent AVLFest appearance. It doesn’t matter to Wells the portals by which he’s able to reach the listener. What counts is this internal mission to connect with whoever’s in the room — folks in search of compassion and something real in a sometimes lonely and confusing world. “I don’t make country music. I don’t make Americana music. It’s blue-collar music,” Wells told Rolling Stone. “It’s for people who struggle day-to-day in this world. Ultimately, it’s about the human condition — distilling your story down to the common thread.”

justinwellsmusic.com

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Abe Partridge:

Abe Partridge is a heralded musician, singer/songwriter, visual artist, storyteller and documentarian based in Mobile, Alabama. Since the release of his debut album Cotton Fields and Blood for Days in 2018, Partridge has toured relentlessly, including several tours throughout Europe. He is a regular at several great music festivals such as the 30a Songwriters Fest, and the Laurel Cove Music Fest as well as listening rooms across the country including the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Eddies Attic in Atlanta, and Duke's in Indianapolis. Recently, he toured extensively with Matthew Sweet, Drivin' N Cryin', and Dar Williams in support of his latest release Love in the Dark. He has performed on several syndicated NPR radio programs including, Mountain Stage and Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour.

Partridge along with co-producer Ferrill Gibbs created the Alabama Astronaut podcast, where Abe attempts to properly record songs previously undocumented at holiness, serpent-handling churches in Appalachia. It was in the Top Ten documentary podcasts on Apple Podcasts within days of its release and now has over 100k downloads and a 4.9-star rating.

When Partridge is not writing or touring, he is also a highly acclaimed visual artist. His paintings, primarily acrylic on tarred board and watercolors, now hang in art galleries around the southeast and in the private collections of Tyler Childers, Mike Wolfe (American Pickers), Rick Hirsch (Wet Willie), Tommy Stinson (The Replacements) and Tommy Prine. Abe's art is featured yearly at Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens. His artwork was featured in Stephen King’s 2019 sequel to The Shining - Dr. Sleep. He painted the cover art for Charlie Parr’s, Last Of The Better Days Ahead (Smithsonian Folkways). He also created art for Tyler Childers’ 2022 release, Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven? (RCA), as well as promotional posters for The Red Clay Strays' 2024 release Made by These Moments (RCA) and a limited version cover art for their 2026 single, Demons In Your Choir (RCA).

Partridge's first major art exhibition With Signs Following was on display at the Alabama Contemporary Art Center in Mobile, AL in 2023. His book "With Signs Following - Portraits + Stories from the Serpent-Handling Faith" released following the exhibit to wide acclaim.

Three members of The Red Clay Strays occasionally join Abe for a punk side-project they share together, The Psych Peas. They have one album, Lackluster, that has only been released on physical formats. The band has created a reputation for giving high-energy, chaotic live performances, and has garnered a cult-like following. John P. Strohm of The Lemonheads compared them to "Scratch Acid and Butthole Surfers in their prime".

Abe also works with the legendary North Carolina songwriter, David Childers and his band The Serpents. Together, they are The Satan, You're a Liars, with an album, Let's Build This House Together, released on vinyl, CD, digital download, and Bandcamp in early 2025.

He is now gearing up for a 2027 release of a new album produced by Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth.

American Songwriter Magazine said, “Abe Partridge has established himself as one of the most respected songwriters and visual folk artists in the southeast.”

abepartridge.com

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026

Doors 7:00pm | Starts 7:30pm