Leiper's Fork's 13th annual ForkFest brings a hometown band back to the stage for a free outdoor concert on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Rock 'n' soul group Hippies & Cowboys will headline the show at the Lawnchair Theatre, 4144 Old Hillsboro Road, behind Leiper's Creek Gallery, as first reported by Williamson Source. Singer-songwriter Alyssa Flaherty opens. The music starts at 3 p.m., rain or shine.
The band has deep roots in the village. Hippies & Cowboys performed some of their earliest shows during open mic nights at Fox & Locke and released their debut album, Live at Fox and Locke, in 2023. ForkFest manager Casey Wasner produced the band's EP, Fork in the Road, at his Purple House Studio in Leiper's Fork.
"We're always excited to have Hippies & Cowboys in The Fork," Wasner said in a statement. "They are one of the most exciting rock and soul bands in the country. We're lucky to have them this year."
The Nashville-based five-piece features lead singer Aaron Sparling on vocals and guitar, Victor Arruda on lead guitar, Connor Lafollette on keys, Kevin Riley Corbo on bass and Scott Metko on drums. Rockposer reported that Rolling Stone compared Sparling's voice to Aerosmith's Steven Tyler after the band's set at the 2024 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion.
The Fork in the Road EP, released in September 2024, was a six-song collection with four originals written or co-written by Sparling. Its release coincided with the band's appearance at the Pilgrimage Music Festival in Franklin. At the time, Sparling told Rockposer the band wanted its music "available to the masses" and was focused on delivering more original songs.
Opening act Flaherty moved from Annapolis, Maryland, to Nashville to pursue music and has become a regular performer at Fox & Locke. She has performed alongside Kevin Costner and his band, Modern West, and sang "Amazing Grace" in Costner's film Horizon: An American Saga.
Flaherty is also scheduled to appear at Women in Harmony at The Franklin Theatre on Friday, Oct. 23, two days before ForkFest.
The 12th annual ForkFest featured headliner Pat McLaughlin on Nov. 9, 2025.
Organizers encourage attendees to arrive early to explore Leiper's Fork's shops, restaurants and food trucks before the concert. Guests should bring lawn chairs and follow parking signs at the village's east entrance. No pets or coolers are allowed.
Upcoming area events:
- Friday, Oct. 23 — Women in Harmony featuring Alyssa Flaherty, Olivia Faye and Allora Leonard at The Franklin Theatre
- Sunday, Oct. 25 — 13th annual ForkFest with Hippies & Cowboys at the Lawnchair Theatre, Leiper's Fork, 3 p.m., free
