From Hills to Stage

Courtesy of Brandon Lee Adams
Courtesy of Brandon Lee Adams

Brandon Lee Adams is capturing attention across the country while bringing an Emmy home to our region.

Photo above: Courtesy of Brandon Lee Adams

It’s not every day someone from our Appalachian mountain community brings home an Emmy, but that is what artist, songwriter and television host, Brandon Lee Adams, has done.

Blending the soul of Appalachian folk with the sophistication of Americana and the longful beauty of bluegrass, Adams is widely recognized in the industry for his authentic talent. His latest single, “I’ll Follow Summer,” was recorded live-in-studio alongside well-known acoustic stars: Vince Gill, Tim O’Brien, John McEuen, John Jorgenson and Glenn Worf. The warm presence and timeless songwriting shines through the video, capturing the attention of national music television outlets and the hearts of those streaming.

“I’ve always tried to write the music as I heard it in my mind,” Adams says. “It feels like those sounds made in the hills from my childhood will always be echoing inside of me.”

Like any true resident hailing from the hills between West Virginia and Kentucky, Adams knows how to connect with others through conversations and storytelling. As an outlet, Adams is the creator and host of the Emmy-winning series “The Life of a Musician.” Stories shared during the show have been broadcast to over 100 million homes and streamed through PBS Passport to over 208 million.

Adams will be performing live-in-studio for a solo performance on Tuesday, January 6, at 7:00 p.m. at the Shokoe Sessions Live in Richmond, Virginia. Returning again to Richmond, Virginia, Adams will host a full band show ranging from jazz, folk to contemporary with John Jorgenson and Lauren Mascitti on Wednesday, April 8, at 7:00 p.m.

Visit brandonleeadamsmusic.com for more event details and updates from Brandon Lee Adams.


The story above is from our January/February 2026 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you!  

Author

You Might Also Like:

New residential construction home framing against a blue sky.

Ask The Home Experts

Building a new house, tackling a renovation, or just looking to keep your current home in tip-top shape? Local experts answer common questions and share practical advice to help you make informed decisions with confidence.
The Vegabonds

The Vagabonds

Heads turned in August 1918 when Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone arrived unexpectedly for lunch at Hotel Roanoke.
It’s Soup Season!

It’s Soup Season!

Time to cuddle up and enjoy some comforting soup.
Cindy Petersen

Do You Know…Cindy Petersen?

Cindy Petersen is the longest tenured executive director of Roanoke’s flagship museum, the Taubman Museum of Art.
The Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir

The Sound of a Legacy

The Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir celebrates 40 years.
Elbit Systems of America

Elbit Systems of America

A former telephone-era manufacturing site now supports night vision technology.
VBR Restaurant Week Returns

VBR Restaurant Week Returns

A region-wide event returns to cheerlead your favorite restaurants with special menus and pricing.
Roanoke College alum and popular muralist Jon Murrill painted a red tail hawk (the school’s mascot) on the outside walls of the Maroon Village common space.

Ship Shape

Roanoke College retrofitted containers into dorms. The students are here for it.
10001126762663566___IMG_5928_CMYK

One Person’s Trash is Another’s Art Supplies

‘Creative reuse centers’ open across Roanoke.
rkr-faces-of

2026 Faces Of Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Welcome to the third edition of FACES of Virginia’s Blue Ridge!