Wyatt Espalin to Headline Hayesville’s Music on The Square Concert

On Friday, June 6, 2025, the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association will host its second Music on The Square concert of the season at 25 Herbert Street in Hayesville, North Carolina. The two-hour event, open to the public, will feature local favorite Wyatt Espalin, an award-winning singer-songwriter, fiddler, and storyteller whose music is deeply rooted in his Appalachian heritage.

Espalin, raised on a rustic campground in North Georgia by his grandparents, began his musical journey as a championship-winning clogger and Appalachian buck-dancer before transitioning to songwriting and performance. His artistry has earned him accolades, including the 2014 L.E.A.F. Festival New Song Singer-Songwriter Competition and finalist placements in the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Troubadour Competition, Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase, and Eddie’s Attic Bi-Annual Open Mic Shootouts. He has performed alongside notable artists such as the Indigo Girls, Jim Lauderdale, Patty Loveless, Shawn Mullins, Lorrie Morgan, and Sam Bush.

In 2025, Espalin will release his debut full-length album, Lies From A Lonesome Valley, featuring his band, The Riverstones, with guest appearances by Amy Ray of Indigo Girls and singer-songwriter Grace Pettis. The album explores themes of identity, belonging, and the search for home through haunting melodies, evocative storytelling, and rich instrumentation, adaptable to both intimate duo settings and full-band performances. The concert will also celebrate Espalin’s 50th birthday, making it a special evening for attendees.

Starting at 6:00 PM, food and beverages will be available from local vendors, including Hayesville Q, Papa Kash, American Legion Auxiliary, Nocturnal, Shooting Creek Vines, and Sunny Sips. Free transportation to and from nearby parking areas will be provided by the Red Rider, courtesy of Historic Hayesville Inc.

The event is supported by sponsors, including Highway 69 Storage, Edward Jones Financial Advisor Jodi Sullivan, The Richard Kelley Group - RE/MAX Town and Country, Rotary Club of Lake Chatuge, Historic Hayesville, Inc., Clay County Historical and Arts Society, and American Legion. In case of inclement weather, updates on delays or cancellations will be posted on the event’s website, Facebook, and Instagram.