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Ferguson and Northup is an acoustic duo from Western North Carolina. With rich harmonies and strong instrumentals, they provide a program of folk, traditional, and original tunes. They started playing together about five years ago and formed the duo in the spring of 2023. Andy is an accomplished vocalist, as well as guitar and mandolin player. He grew up in the mountains of Haywood County, picking traditional music and fiddle tunes on porches and under the influence of his grandmother, a church organist. Being a participant in the public school system’s band program, he learned clarinet, french horn, and drums. He studied music at Western Carolina University and graduated from Appalachian State. Andy teaches Creative Writing and English at McDowell High School in Marion and is advisor to the high school rock band. Jo is a vocalist and flutist. Like Andy, she was also a participant in the public school band program, She went on to Florida State University as a flute performance major. For many years, she played chamber and orchestral music, then began exploring flute in folk music. Over the years, she’s played with several orchestras, most recently as principal flutist in Ashevillle’s Blue Ridge Orchestra. In Raleigh, she joined Dulcimer Dan and the Blue Sky Band performing on seven of their CDs; she’s produced several of her own with guitarist, Richard Birt, and two compilations of seasonal tunes by Biltmore Christmas musicians. Jo performed flute and hammered dulcimer music for guests at Biltmore Estate for 17 years, at Candlelight Christmas, Festival of Flowers, and private events all around the estate.
