Barrel Room Concert – Randal Bays with Don Penzien

Saturday, March 8th, 2025 –  Randal Bays and Don Penzien perform an intimate Barrel Room Concert at Stonefield Cellars Winery – 7:30-9:30pm  (Door opens at 7:00pm for wine purchases and seating)

We celebrate our own Scotch-Irish heritage this month by bringing you a  real deal, traditional style Irish music concert performed by two master instrumentalists in Fiddle and Guitar.

Tickets are $25 (Reserved Table Seating) or $20 (General Admission Chair seating).

Randal Bays is an American born, Irish style fiddler and guitarist who brings power and passion to the old tradition. He’s devoted many years to learning not just the tunes, but more importantly the feeling of Irish traditional music as handed down by the many great players and music lovers past and present. He renders the music with an intensity not commonly heard in any genre, powered by a deep love of the music, the culture, and a heartfelt wish to share this magnificent tradition with audiences.

“A commanding presence on the fiddle.” – The Irish Times

“His playing has power and passion… simply a joy to listen to.” – Dirty Linen Magazine

“Randal Bays is one of the few Americans to have mastered the complex art of traditional Irish fiddling.” – Gearoid O hAllmhurain (author of “A Pocket History of Irish Traditional Music”)

“Bays is a rare beast, a true master of both fiddle and guitar.”

– Cork Examiner (Ireland)

As a guitarist, he is acclaimed thusly by other Celtic style masters:

Tony McManus – “My first awareness of Randal was the exquisite backing he provided to Martin Hayes landmark debut album- guitar playing so precise, so appropriate that I studied it in great detail. Only later did I get the full measure of Mr Bays’ phenomenal musicality both as a player of guitar as melody instrument and also as an excellent fiddler in command of a huge repertoire of tunes both familiar and not so. As a guitarist Randal brings to bear a deep and grounded understanding of the essence of the tune as well as fabulous technique. Indeed, these work together to produce great music that is both original and idiomatic. This is a serious contribution to making the guitar sing within the tradition we love. Good on ye!”

Daithi Sproule – “Randal’s apparently effortless command of the guitar, profound knowledge of the music, and impeccable taste and flair form, in my opinion, a combination unequalled in the field of Irish/Celtic music

Don Penzien has long been a top-flight performer of Irish traditional music. He frequently is on the road playing concerts and festivals with Haley Richardson, Gailfean, Brian Conway, Gerry O’Connor, and The Máirtín de Cógáin Project, and he has served as accompanist for numerous other well-known performers (e.g., Seán Gavin, Randal Bays, Máirtín de Cógáin, John Whelan, Tim Britton, John Williams, Pat Broaders, Gabe Donohue, Ben Jaber, Tony DeMarco, Billy McComiskey, Sean Clohessy, Bridget Fitzgerald, Kevin Doyle). Widely recognized for his reserved backing style, Don’s dexterous work on DADGAD-tuned guitar provides solid, driving rhythms to traditional tunes as well as perceptive and sensitive accompaniments to songs and airs. Don is a Michigan native with strong roots in Irish culture and an affinity for Celtic music. He now resides in NC where he works as Professor at the Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Tickets may be purchased Online up till 3pm day of show (see below), Over the Phone at 336-644-9908, or In Person at the winery during Business Hours.

Tickets:  Advanced Ticket purchase is highly recommended as seating in our Barrel Room is limited.

Wine and beer sold separately. Stonefield Cellars appreciates your support through your purchases of beverages!  NOTE:  no food truck tonight, please eat before you come – some snacks will be available for purchase.