Kentucky, a land of beautiful landscapes, tasty bourbon, and the singer/songwriter duo of Montana Hobbs and Linda Jean Stokley who, together, front The Local Honeys. The progressive Americana folk duo brought their unique blend of traditional Appalachian music and storytelling to The Pour House in Raleigh, North Carolina this past Tuesday.
As Montana and the band stepped onto stage to begin tuning instruments, Linda Jean soon followed along with five glasses of bourbon that were promptly passed out amongst her bandmates. This quickly set the tone for the rest of the evening and let the crowd know that The Local Honeys were there for a good time and good vibes. As Stokly strummed the first chord of her guitar and Hobbs picked the first string on her banjo, the small venue was immediately transported to the blue skies and rolling hills of rural Kentucky. The performance that followed for the next hour showcased powerful lyrics, masterful harmonizing and an excellent example of what it means to honor traditional music while staying true to yourself as well.
Something that makes a Local Honeys show special are the stories behind the ballads that the duo craft so well in their lyrics. In addition to their obvious musical talents, Montana and Linda Jean have a way of conveying the stories behind their songs that will have you laughing in one moment and ready to shed a tear in the next. Stories detailing growing up and living in rural Appalachia with topics ranging from poverty, to drug addiction, and to just the simple honesty of life are what draws the audience in. But the way these stories are presented is what makes the audience fall in love with The Local Honeys by the time the stage lights dim out.
The Local Honeys currently have a slate of shows lined up across the east coast and through the midwest of the US and they are constantly adding more to their calendar. You can check to see if they have a date near you on their website and this writer highly suggest that you do so!
The Local Honeys Official Website
