Coverfest IV

Since its inception in early 2020, Coverfest has been one of the Asheville area’s biggest no-brainer benefit shows. 

Featuring 10 local bands playing thoughtfully curated mini-sets of familiar tunes, the annual event raises money to help offset costs for Asheville Middle School students to attend the 8th Grade capstone trip to Washington, D.C. each spring. Likewise helping the worthy cause is a music-themed silent auction of items donated from national and regional acts, which this year include R.E.M., Wilco, and Neko Case.

“Nearly 40% of our students will apply for financial assistance, and this is one way to help offset that financial need as 100% of proceeds go to funding the trip,” says event organizer and AMS teacher Joe Hooten.

With performances from Why, Why?, Double Love & the Trouble, Santiago y Los Gatos, Eleanor Underhill & Friends, The Moon & You, Moon Water, Fancy & the Gentleman, John Kirby JR & New Seniors, Paul Edelman (Jangling Sparrows), and Hooten’s band Pinkeye, Coverfest IV takes place Sunday, Jan. 19, at The Grey Eagle.

Hall pass in hand, Hooten spoke with Asheville Stages about the event, his covers philosophy, and the event’s significance to local families.

Edwin Arnaudin: What initially inspired the first Coverfest and how has the event evolved over the years?

Joe Hooten: The staff at Asheville Middle is deeply committed to ensuring that every 8th grader can attend the capstone trip to Washington, D.C., regardless of their family’s financial situation. Since the budget doesn’t cover scholarship requests, it’s up to the staff to find the resources to make it happen. But year after year, we find a way to ensure that no student is left behind.

The first Coverfest took place in January 2020, and at that time Asheville Middle had a strong community of teacher-musicians and parents involved in various bands. I was just a performer at the first event. Organizing the silent auction and Coverfest is now my little way of contributing to this important cause.

EA: What memorable feedback have you received from students and parents who’ve attended past Coverfests?

JH: Students lose their minds when they see their teachers on stage — it’s always a blast. Honestly, my most unforgettable "throw-your-guitar-pick-into-the-crowd" moment happened at a Coverfest. [laughs]

Families come out, grab dinner at the Grey Eagle Taqueria, hit the dance floor, and sing along. It’s an all-ages, family-friendly event that truly brings the community together for a night of fun and connection, and the Grey Eagle has been the perfect host every year.

EA: What do AMS students get to experience on the capstone trip to DC?

JH: For many of us, the 8th-grade trip was a rite of passage — one we hopefully still remember fondly, right? But for so many students, it’s their first time stepping beyond the familiar sights of Asheville, maybe even the first time away from home. 

Asheville Middle School prides itself on being a community that offers engaging and inclusive learning experiences, and the 8th-grade Washington, D.C. trip is a cornerstone of that mission. It’s not just a trip — it’s a chance for students to step into American history and government, to feel it, see it, and experience it in ways a classroom simply can't replicate. The memories made on this journey will stay with these students for a lifetime, shaping how they see the world long after they’ve returned.

EA: How do you pick the Coverfest lineup?

JH: The process has definitely evolved over time. What started as reaching out to friends and posting an open call on Facebook has now transformed into a creative process — curating a lineup that’s both diverse and exciting. Finding 10 artists to join the fundraiser is never the issue; the real challenge is fitting in everyone who wants to play Coverfest. 

This year, we’ve got some familiar faces returning, along with a few fresh talents who are true Asheville mainstays. One thing’s for sure: every act is going to bring their A-game Sunday night. The best part of Coverfest? The thrill of seeing what covers each artist picks — it’s always something unexpected, and it’ll leave you wanting more.

EA: What will Pinkeye be playing at the event and why did y’all choose this focus?

JH: We tossed around the idea of doing a Violet Femmes set for a bit, then flirted with the idea of going all Velvet Underground. I won’t give away too much, but let’s just say it’s firmly under the punk umbrella — definitely in our wheelhouse. And to keep things exciting, there’ll be a few songs we’ve never played live before. 

EA: What’s your personal creed/approach with covers?

JH: Everyone has their own take on this [and] my philosophy has definitely evolved. In my younger, more stubborn days, I refused to touch covers, but my time with the Dark City Kings altered how I see reinterpreting someone else’s song. For me, it’s important to respect the original while making it your own, whether that means changing up the structure or pouring a new emotion into the performance, it’s about putting your own stamp on something familiar without completely ruining it. [laughs] 

EA: What are some of your all-time favorite covers?

JH: One of my all-time favorite covers to listen to is Uncle Tupelo’s version of the Creedence [Clearwater Revival] classic "Effigy" from the '90s No Alternative compilation. Their version hits me like a ton of bricks, especially in today’s political climate — it feels so relevant. 

As Tin Roof Echo, I’ve put my own spin on a couple of covers, one of which is a quietly nuanced rendition of [The Ramones’] “Blitzkrieg Bop” that I’m pretty sure Joey Ramone is rolling in his grave over, but I love tagging it at the end of one my originals. John Prine’s “Hello in There” is so beautifully poignant. I play it during soundcheck, but haven’t brought it to an audience yet. 

Pinkeye took a swing at Liam Lynch’s “United States of Whatever” a few times. It always felt like a runaway train about to derail, but somehow we managed to make it work and do it justice. [laughs]

EA: Which auction items are you especially excited to feature this year? Any especially neat stories how some of these items were acquired?

JH: Right after the Caverns of Gold WNC Hurricane Relief project, I got back in touch with some of the artists who had contributed, as well as a few who weren’t able to participate at the time. The timing felt right, and with [Tropical Storm] Helene still fresh in people’s minds, it seemed like a good moment to reach out as local and area businesses were not in a position to donate to the auction as in previous years.

Bertis Downs, R.E.M.'s manager, has been a huge help in securing items from the band for the past few years. He’s amazing. The Feelies, too, have been incredibly generous and continue to impress me. I’m still trying to convince them to come play Asheville. [laughs] I take this thing year by year, always adjusting based on what we need.

I really have to mention the band Goose [which was forced to cancel its October shows at Harrah's Cherokee Center — Asheville]. When I reached out to them about donating to the auction, they totally surprised me by offering a monetary contribution instead. They had set up a special fund for Asheville in partnership with Conscious Alliance, a nonprofit out of Colorado. By the end of our conversation, they made a truly generous and extremely sizable donation to our cause that left me speechless. I can’t thank Goose and Conscious Alliance enough for their support.

IF YOU GO

What: Coverfest IV
When: Sunday, Jan. 19, 4 p.m.
Where: The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., thegreyeagle.com
Tickets: $17.95

(Clockwise from top right, Eleanor Underhill photo by Silas Durocher; John Kirby JR & New Seniors photo by Heather Askew; Santiago y Los Gatos photo by Rey Castillo Jr.; Double Love & the Trouble photo by Heather Askew)