Bird in Hand

Life as Western Carolina regional musicians 

By BRENDON VOELKER

They call their musical style Appalachian Thunder Folk, and the husband-and-wife duet is well known to locals and visitors at Western North Carolina's many venues. They produce a big sound with only a guitar and mandolin, complemented by their vocals. So, while their musical inspiration, American Folk, is regionally old and deep, their take on it is a fresh blend of new compositions and familiar standards. Megan and Bryan Thurman’s band, Bird in Hand, has echoed through these mountains for over a decade and draws a loyal following that appreciates their musical talent and onstage chemistry.

“I was always very musically motivated and listened to tons of music growing up,” Bryan states. He joined bands at an early age after purchasing his first guitar with prize money from a speech contest. He began playing punk rock first, but over time, he found folk music to be his muse. His other muse turned out to be his wife of 22 years.

He and Megan began playing together a little over a decade ago when she discovered she had a taste for the mandolin. After Megan picked up the mandolin, their harmonies came together as naturally as their stage presence. They became Bird in Hand and regularly booked shows on the plateau and in the many surrounding towns of Western Carolina. They have also enjoyed touring nationally but feel most at home in the Smokey Mountains.

The inspiration for their name, Bird in Hand, “References being happy with what you have. We think that our style represents simplicity and beauty. It reflects how we live and what is important to us,” the couple told us. They often sing about living life fully through traveling, love, and nature. Their way of life includes plenty of critters, including dogs, ducks, and chickens. Their mode of transportation? A VW van, the iconic symbol of freedom from decades ago.

New material from Bryan has its own way of being created. “Songwriting for me is very stream of consciousness,” Bryan notes. “I can’t always decide just to sit down and write a song. Sometimes, I write five songs in a week, and other times, one won’t come for a whole year.” And where they come from is a bit of a mystery, even to Bryan. Sometimes, he does not fully understand the meaning behind his song until he is on stage. “It hits me in that moment.” Perfecting the sound and lyrics of his songs happens through practice and evolution. "That seems to be a never-ending process, even for some of my oldest songs,” he continues.

In addition to their originals, Bryan and Megan enjoy performing covers embellished with their unique Appalachian Thunder Folk tone. Their sources for cover material do not always come from Appalachia. For instance, Trucker Speed by Fred Eaglesmith is a crowd-pleaser, and the composer is a legend among musicians. He is Canadian and lives outside of Toronto. It is a testament to how genres unique to a region are nonetheless influenced by artists many miles and several genres away.

As musicians living life fully, Bryan and Megan keep life interesting with various non-music projects. They manage a small off-the-grid farm on their property just outside Sylva, NC. A few years ago, they partnered with friend Jacque Laura to open Snake Song on downtown Sylva’s Main Street. The store showcases their passion projects, such as cut flower arrangements, Appalachian crafts, herbal blends, and self-care items. Other local artists and crafters are represented as well. Located next to the iconic Lucy in the Rye, down a small flight of stairs, just west of Spring Street.

The life of these Western Carolina troubadours includes an eclectic mix of gigs, entrepreneurial efforts and healthy outdoor adventures. Most recently, they have enthusiastically embraced mountain biking and bike packing. Locally, they enjoy hiking, foraging, and exploring waterfalls with their dogs Otto and Poncho.  Their outdoor adventures now include hitting the road with bikes in tow to conquer notably challenging long-distance rides. One they recently completed is the Trans North Georgia, a 362-mile route traversing the state's northwest corner.

Western North Carolina is well-known for its resident population of musicians, and there are plenty of venues on and around the plateau. A relaxed camaraderie among the musicians' community sometimes results in surprise guests sitting-in unannounced with cherished friends. Regional artists have loyal followings, so restaurants, taverns, and community spaces rely on their popularity to draw audiences. Visitors and residents can find a wide variety of outstanding live shows throughout the region, usually free.

Bird in Hand has played more venues around the area than they can count, but performing in their backyard for fans they have cultivated over the years is perhaps their favorite booking. They often play at one of the ever-popular Innovation Brewery locations in Sylva and Dillsboro and have been known to staff the bar occasionally. They frequently headline at The Bridge Park in Sylva during the summer concert series and can be relied on to donate their talent in support of important fundraisers around the area.

Find Megan and Bryan’s schedule at BirdinHand.com or follow them on @birdinhandnc on Facebook and @bird_in_hand_nc on Instagram.