Riyen Roots an American blues, roots and soul musician from the music rich mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. With his unique vocal styling and captivating original songs and covers from some of the best in blues, southern soul, he is one of the busiest acts in the in the south east. Having toured Europe and his duo, Roots and Dore and their annual New Orleans shows during the first week of JazzFest has led them to playing 150-200 shows a year. He has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the business including Bobby Rush, Eric Gales, Cedric Burnside, John Dee Holeman, (Mentors Mac Arnold and Bob Margolin many times), Maria Muldaur, Guitar Shorty, Janiva Magness, Mark Hummel and many more. The last album recorded at Echo Mountain Studios featured longtime Doc Watson duo partner David Holt (Founder of MerleFest and four time Grammy winner), Tony Black from Marshall Tucker Band and Muddy Waters Band’s Bob Margolin and his band Roots & Dore Band is the preferred opening act for Billy Bob Thornton’s band The Boxmasters when they have shows in the Carolinas.
