*Big Announcement* The OFFICIAL @carolinachocolatedrops documentary “Don’t Get Trouble in Your Mind” is now available and I can’t wait for folks to check it out on Amazon marketplace! From 2005 all the way up to the Carolina Chocolate Drops reunion, I’ve been working with filmmaker John Whitehead to showcase the Carolina Chocolate Drops story which began with the black banjo gathering and leads all the way until my last show in 2013. So if you want to learn more about the group and the ways in which we evolved from humble beginnings make sure to check it out. I’ll be sharing more about the film very soon.
Today is the 66th GRAMMY Awards and I’m proud to say that it is my 4th nomination in the Best Folk Album category ! The making of my album “Traveling Wildfire” began in Los Angeles and I’m excited to see it come back around full circle! Here are the photos from the nominees reception with my wife @vaniakinard ! Looking forward to the GRAMMY Awards today!
Photo by Getty Images for the Recording Academy®
Side note: Coming full circle! Since this nomination, the journey has continued with 'The Traveling Wildfires' supergroup and our new Radio program. Check the link in bio to see where we're headed next!
**MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT**
I’m excited to announce that I have officially created a brand new black string band supergroup “The Traveling Wildfires” after a decade of playing solo and with the @carolinachocolatedrops . I started this band as a way to celebrate the induction of Arnold Shultz into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame @intlbluegrass and the 20th Anniversary of the Black Banjo Gathering. This band symbolizes a fresh new chapter in my music career and for the longest time I’ve always wanted to create a rotating roster of musicians to join as a supergroup so I’m proud to finally make it happen.
This time I’ve invited Brian Farrow (former member of Gangstagrass), Dante Pope (former member of Old Crow Medicine Show), Tray Wellington, and Sule Greg Wilson (former member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops and Sankofa Strings) to join “The Traveling Wildfires” roster and I’ll be inviting more outstanding musicians to it. These guys have had tremendous success in other groups and I’ve been performing with them for many years in different capacities so these shows are going to bring fire to the stage with the variety of bluegrass, americana, country, gospel, and black string band music.
Since I’ve modeled this band after Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys along with many other bluegrass acts instead of there being permanent members this roster will continue to evolve for each show. It was really important for me to have a rotating roster of musicians so that I can expand the show to have different musical elements and give other artists the opportunity to join me onstage. I’m excited for the band to hit the road and we’ve already performed at the Arkansas Country Blues and String Band Festival. Plus, we are booked for almost two dozen shows and major festivals in 2026 so there will be more announcements coming soon!
** #didyouknow this video was created in collaboration @pineconenc with the @bluegrassfoundation Arnold Shultz Fund and features our special guest Dr. Richard Brown on mandolin.
Video Credit: Chris Charles
Produced by: @vaniakinard
Original Song: Shultz’s Dream by Dom Flemons
Booking agent: @praterday
Dom Flemons & The Traveling Wildfires’ performance on the Oklawaha Stage at the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival was one to remember🔥 Such incredible energy, musicianship, and storytelling to end the second day of the festival! 🎶
We were honored to be their first festival of the year ❤️
#floridashistoriccoast #staugustine #florida #folkmusic #domflemons
I became a mom at 26 years old and it’s been the best time of my life! My daughter Cheyanne Love is a such a beautiful soul and so much fun! When @domflemons and I found out that we were having a baby we decided to take her all around the world and the two of us raised her with lots of love and of course music. The three of us have had the biggest adventures together and I can’t wait for the future!
I’m so thankful to celebrate Mother’s Day and I appreciate all the moms in my life! Plus, special thanks to my dad @natekinardjr who is an awesome photographer and did this wonderful photoshoot with us in Chicago! 🦋💕
Let’s play some bluegrass! Glad to have banjo player @traywellington on the roster! He’ll be joining us at @merlefest too! Plus, our special guest Dr. Richard Brown is throwing down on the mandolin!🔥🔥🔥
