Richie Owens – The UK Pub Crawl 2026
Richie Owens stands as a fifth-generation Appalachian musician deeply entrenched in the rich musical traditions of East Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains. Unlike many artists who chase a distant dream, Richie was born into a revered lineage of storytellers and multi-instrumentalists, growing up surrounded by old-time gospel, early country, folk ballads, mountain blues, and the everyday tales that have shaped American roots music. His heritage links him to the same cultural origins that produced icons like Dolly Parton, with whom he has toured as a band member, lending a profound authenticity and intimacy to his work.
Currently, Richie brings his music and storytelling in an acoustic trio with lifelong friends Bob Ocker and Joe Sharp. Their performances combine guitar, mandolin, upright bass, harmonica, harmony vocals, and spoken word, creating a textured and vivid expression of Appalachian heritage that goes beyond nostalgic recreation. This trio embarks on Richie Owens – The UK Pub Crawl 2026, a tour that celebrates the shared roots linking Britain and Appalachia, taking their distinctive sound to historic pubs and venues across the UK.
Central to Richie’s music is his latest album, Appalachia — Ballads, Bloodlines, and the Long Journey Home, released in August 2024. This project delves deeply into Appalachian history with original ballads and narratives, complemented by the film Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith, and Fables. Audiences attending these shows are invited to experience more than music alone — it is a journey through family stories, coal roads, old churches, floods, faith, humour, and loss, all woven into the long transatlantic thread connecting the British Isles and the Southern Appalachian mountains. Richie Owens' words capture this spirit:
“I’ve been blessed to perform across the UK for over 35 years, but Smoky Mountain DNA has given those journeys a whole new meaning. Every show is now a chance to celebrate the shared heritage, music, and stories that connect Britain and Appalachia. I’m excited to bring this new chapter of that story to audiences across the UK.”
If you appreciate artists who blend traditional American roots with contemporary storytelling — capturing both history and humanity — Richie Owens’ intimate performances will resonate deeply. You might find kinship with the works of Appalachian storytellers or Americana contemporaries who honour their musical heritage without sacrificing immediacy or relevance.
Red Lion Pub, Cropredy
This show is hosted by the Red Lion Pub in Cropredy, an atmospheric venue known for its part-thatched 18th-century building beside the North Oxford Canal. The pub’s authentic village setting provides a fitting backdrop for Richie Owens’ storytelling and Appalachian ballads, lending an intimate and historical character to the evening’s experience. It is the kind of place where live acoustic music and connections to heritage take centre stage, offering a welcoming space for audiences to engage fully with the art of Appalachian music.
