STATESVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 12, 2026) — Asheville pedal steel guitarist Matthew Smith is investing his time, his talent and more than two decades of musical relationships in Statesville. Through Well-Crafted at IAC, a five-part intimate music series he leads for the Iredell Arts Council, Smith invites artists he has toured and recorded with to join him on stage inside the historic Old Jail.
Each Well-Crafted evening is more than a concert. Smith blends live performance with storytelling and conversation, giving audiences a close look at the friendships and collaborations behind the music. For Statesville, the series brings nationally touring artists from Smith's network into a room small enough to hear the stories behind the songs.
The next installment, on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., pairs Smith with Nashville-based Americana Soul singer-songwriter and guitarist Whitney Mongé, along with Rick Cooper and Mike Rhodes, at the Iredell Arts Council, 203 S. Meeting St.
Mongé is known for her smoky, soulful vocals, raw guitar playing and deeply personal songwriting. Raised in the Pacific Northwest, she began her career busking on the streets of Seattle before taking her music to stages across the U.S. and Europe. Her work includes a live album recorded with the Seattle Symphony, an appearance at the Newport Folk Festival with Black Opry, and a featured role in the award-winning film Find Your Way: A Busker's Documentary. She won the 2025 Cayamo Soundcheck Contest and is writing her first full-length album.
Event details
What: Well-Crafted at IAC with Whitney Mongé, Rick Cooper and Mike Rhodes
When: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, 7:30–9 p.m. Doors open at 7PM
Where: The Old Jail, Iredell Arts Council, 203 S. Meeting St., Statesville, N.C.
Tickets: $15, available on https://iredellartscouncil.com/calendar-of-events/well-crafted-october
Sources for artist background: Whitney Mongé on SoundCloud, whitneymonge.com.
