Ramona and the Holy Smokes

Based in Central Virginia and with family roots in South Texas, Ramona and the Holy Smokes represent a new generation of honky tonk music. With powerful female vocals that cover an emotional range from determined to comic to vulnerable, and a talented backing band steeped in classic country and western styles of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, the band exhibits a “clarity and sincerity that bring Patsy Cline to mind” (Nashville Scene, 2025).

Fronted by Ramona Martinez, whose songwriting has earned her recognition from Wide Open Country as one of the "15 Latino Artists Shaping Country Music," this Charlottesville, Virginia-based band is rooted in the traditional sounds of country music but unafraid of pushing boundaries and highlighting the connections across border cultures. They have appeared at several Americana festivals including Red Wing Roots (2024), Rooster Walk (2025), and Bristol Rhythm & Roots (2025), and has opened for touring artists like Margo Cilker, Colby Acuff, Willi Carlisle, Redd Volkaert, Joshua Hedley, Donna the Buffalo, and Kashus Culpepper. Their self-produced debut album, Ramona and the Holy Smokes, a collection of original songs about heartache and resiliency, was released on September 26.

Learn more at https://www.ramonaandtheholysmokes.com/

Kyle Petty

Kyle Petty grew up watching his father and grandfather behind the wheel before winning eight races over a three-decade NASCAR career himself. He was born into it and he loved it and he lived it, and none of it ever scared him as much as what he’s doing now. Holding on to a steering wheel for dear life is one thing. Holding on to a guitar and singing is another.

“I’ve done some fearful things, but this may be on a different level,” Petty said. “It’s just as scary sometimes.”

Yes, racing is still Petty’s primary profession, as a commentator and analyst for NBC Sports’ Cup Series coverage during the summer. It’s still in his blood: son of Richard, grandson of Lee, father of the late Adam. But music has been with Kyle Petty since he was a little kid, and even if he didn’t want to get sucked into the Nashville machine in his 20s, there’s nothing stopping him from singing his own songs now.

“I’m going to tell you what music was for me: Music has always been a place to go where there was peace and there was solace,” Petty said. “My uncle (Randy Owens, his mother’s brother) was killed on pit road when I was 14. I remember I just immersed myself in guitar and playing songs. When my oldest son Adam was killed in 2000, I just disappeared into a guitar case. It’s always been that kind of place for me, especially while I was racing. I’d have a bad day and go to the guitar. For me, in the big picture, it’s always been a safe place. It’s funny. I think music has always been that way for me.”

Petty said his sisters and his wife endorse his musical career, but his father thinks it’s a phase he’s going through, “like the earrings I used to have.” His crowds are a mix of Petty fans who want something signed, the morbidly curious – “this guy drove a race car, let’s see what he’s got,” Petty said – and lovers of live music. His goal is to reach someone from those from the first two with one of his songs.

“I’m not going to be a rock star,” Petty said. “Honest to goodness if I could sing three or four nights a week, maybe put out a CD or upload some stuff, have some stuff out there and people hear it, that would be the ultimate. I’m not going to be able to do TV my whole life. I couldn’t race my whole life. I always pick a job that has an end point down the road. I should have broken that habit a long time ago.”

Luke DeCock - The News & Observer

Learn more at https://www.kylepetty.com/about

Reeves Open Mic Winner

Twice a year, the Reeves Open Mic names a winner of its regular songwriter night, and they have brought us incredible artists, including: Ashley Virginia, Gregg Cagno, The Wild Hares, and MaisCéu.

Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/ReevesTheater