Richie Owens – The UK Pub Crawl 2026
Richie Owens is a musician deeply rooted in the Appalachian tradition, carrying forward a rich heritage stretching back five generations. Raised in East Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains, his artistry is shaped by old-time gospel, early country, folk ballads, mountain blues, and the working-class stories that have long animated American roots music. Unlike many who arrive in Nashville chasing a dream, Richie was born into its tradition, sharing cultural bloodlines with icons like Dolly Parton.
On his UK Pub Crawl tour, Richie Owens, accompanied by lifelong friends Bob Ocker and Joe Sharp, offers a compelling live experience that transcends a simple concert. Their acoustic trio blends guitar, mandolin, upright bass, harmonica, and harmony vocals with spoken-word storytelling, evoking a living, breathing expression of Appalachian heritage rather than mere nostalgia. This tour celebrates the shared musical and storytelling legacies that connect the British Isles with the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
The tour highlights Richie’s recent album, Appalachia — Ballads, Bloodlines, and the Long Journey Home, a project intertwined with the companion film Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith, and Fables. Together, these works invite audiences on a journey through family tales, coal roads, faith, humour, and the historical threads linking two continents. Richie notes, “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.”
Grosvenor Hotel, Robin Hoods Bay
The Grosvenor Hotel, situated within the North York Moors National Park near Whitby, offers a welcoming and characterful setting for this intimate musical encounter. With free Wi-Fi and a well-appointed bar featuring an extensive food menu, it promises a relaxed atmosphere where audiences can immerse themselves in the deep Appalachian storytelling and music that Richie Owens and his band bring to the stage.
