Music
current releases
Beneath Blue Water
Released 2024
Bett Padgett’s Beneath Blue Water, her 11th studio album, is a testament to her range as a multi-instrumentalist, seamlessly blending guitar, clawhammer banjo, mandolin, piano, and harp into a textured folk tapestry. As the album progresses, Padgett’s varied approaches keep you engaged, from bluegrass inflections to airy, whimsical charm. Beneath Blue Water offers a unique blend of emotions and genres, creating a listening experience that feels deeply personal yet wide-ranging. It’s an album that invites you into Padgett’s world, one that balances folk tradition with an adventurous spirit.”
Read more here at Pitch Perfect
Turning Over Stones
Released 2021
“Padgett plays and sings with an immediately memorable delivery, where her wise and eloquent stories make an impact akin to seeing an old friend that you’ll want to visit with again and again.”
Read the full review here
If I Catch My Dream
Released 2019
Bett Padgett’s sophomore release sparkles within a new layer of sophistication in her writing, singing and sound, yet with a very simple theme that we should all be able to take for granted but can’t— kindness in all its forms, and in the world we live in. In subtle ways, Bett’s message extends all those who inhabit our planet and also to our precious earth. 
As Bett has caught her dream as a performer and writer, after supporting many others in their dreams by serving as a music teacher and house concert presenter, Bett’s thoughtful and carefully crafted songs shine through with a vision of a world we want to live in. Bett plays guitars, rootsy claw-hammer banjo, mandolin, harp and piano on this new CD which was produced by Chris Rosser at Hollow Reed Studio in Asheville. Chris himself plays guitar, bass guitar, piano, harmonium, octave mandolin and keyboard as well as lending his smooth vocal harmonies on several songs. Eliot Wadopian plays upright bass, River Guerguerian on percussion.
These three musicians together form a band called “Free Planet Radio” and tour internationally playing a combination of world/jazz and pop infused music. David Johnson adds final touches to the mix with fiddle, mandolin, dobro and pedal steel. He is no stranger to the music world— an inductee to the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame, he played with Doc Watson for many years. Bett is joined by Chris and Lynn Rosser, David Roth and the Enloe High School (Raleigh) chorus in singing “Tell Us When”.
At the End of the Day
RELEASED 2017
An Indigogo Campaign was created to help with radio promotion, but as the title song, “At the End of the Day” is about understanding people with great needs, 65% of contributions to the campaign went to help vicitms of recent hurricanes and our local Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. More than $3000 went to those in dire need of supplies and food.
I’m thrilled that At the End of the Day made it into the top 20 of the Folk DJ charts, ranking #16 in November and #15 in December out of 75 and ~ 14,000 radio airplays each month. Many thanks to these DJs for playing my music.
Read the one sheet for information about the CD and the track card for a description of each song.
Produced by Chris Rosser at Hollow Reed Studio in Asheville and joined by Eliot Wadopian on upright Bass, River Guerguerian on percussion, these three musicians together form a band called “Free Planet Radio” and tour internationally playing a combination of world/jazz and pop infused music. Josh Goforth on fiddle plays regularly with North Carolina folk and folklore musician David Holt and Laura Boosinger. The addition of these four consummate musicians/performers is a perfect blend for this music. Chris himself plays guitar, bass guitar, piano, dotar, and keyboard as well as lending his smooth vocal harmonies on several songs. I play guitar, high-strung guitar, banjo, mandolin, mandola and harp.
My belief of strength in family is prevalent in this CD. Unity and fellowship while facing issues in today’s world contribute to our understanding of ourselves. These are common themes throughout the album.
All the Tears in the World
(songs of hope and courage)
Released 2015
This 7th CD brings strength and wisdom to many of life’s struggles. Everyday realities such as homelessness, climate change, death, mental illness and religion are approached and interpreted with optimism. Finding joys in relationships and love can make coping with the adversities we all face possible and is embraced in this CD. The use of partial capos and alternate tunings on guitars gives a big sound with little instrumentation. Also on the CD are two longtime favorites: “House Carpenter” and “Wayfaring Stranger”. Instruments include mandolin, mandola, banjo, high-strung guitar, piano, violins, cello and flute. Dave Groening joins by adding light percussion. This CD takes you on through real-life trip & promises to make you feel good. Produced by Bett Padgett and Dick Hodgin, Osceola Studios in Raleigh.
It’s About Time
Released 2013
After a ‘dead period’, known as ‘writers’ block’, the banjo brought music back to life for Bett. This CD title song is about time and it was about time that she started enjoying writing music again. This album is sparsely produced with only banjo, mandolin, guitars and Bett’s vocals. It is filled with tales of the Civil War based on letters written home, the settling of NC in the 1700’s, plus many songs of life, living, love and loss. The sound can be described as a blend of folk, Celtic, Old-time, mostly because of the instruments. The CD promises to make you smile, laugh, and shed a few tears along the listen. With the exception of “How Can I Keep From Singing?”, “Oh, Susanna!” and “The Water is Wide”, (all have been favorites for years), all songs are original. Produced by Bett Padgett.
My Shooting Star
Released 2009
This CD comes back to basics—just guitars, mandolin, voices and a little percussion. The songs are mostly of songs encouragement and look into life (and death). Based on true stories, a song, ‘The Mailbox at Bird Island”‘, is written about a letter found in a mailbox on Bird Island, a deserted island on the borders of North and South Carolina. It is from a hurt, forlorn lover who asks his girl to marry him. “Amy’s Journey” is a song thanking those who participate in the Turtle Watch program and help protect turtles such as Amy in her journey. Some songs are whimsical in nature, but all heartfelt. Produced by Bett Padgett.
Conversations, Surprises and Other Stories
Released 2002
This CD is exactly what it says: Stories, conversations, and surprises! There are conversations with grown children about the difficulties of becoming an adult, about love letters written by Bett’s parents before they were married, a conversation between a mother with Alzheimer’s Disease and her daughter. There are songs about North Carolina’s history as well. Joined by Jeremie McGown on electric and upright bass, and cello, Sarah Bruck on violin, Dana Robinson on fiddle, Sara Murray on flute, Tom Mohbat on drums, Ravi Shing on percussion, Bett plays guitars, mandolin, piano. Produced by Bett Padgett and Tom Mohbat of Bad Dog Productions.
Trefalen
Released 1999
Unusual tunings help tell stories in this CD—stories based on 12th century legends, books and experiences through travels in the UK. Bett plays guitars, mandolin, mandola and piano. She is joined by Jonathan Kramer on cello, Bruce Ridge on upright bass, Tom Mohbat on drums and Ravi Shing on percussion. Produced by Bett Padgett and Tom Mohbat of Bad Dog Productions.
Hatteras: If a Lighthouse Could Speak
Released 1999
In 1997 while noodling on the guitar and searching for a haunting tuning Bett had previously heard, “If a Lighthouse Could Speak” melody came to her. At the time the plight of the lighthouse was a hot topic in North Carolina. It was feared to fall into the ocean. Bett was inspired to write an entire CD of songs about the history of the lighthouse, the relocation, and how people worldwide felt about it. She learned of the deep attachment that those who lived on the island had. This CD is tribute and appreciation of this famous beacon, the keepers of the light and their families. There are many styles of music, folk, pop, blues, and ‘new age’. Bett plays guitars, mandolin, piano, synthesizer, She is joined by Jon Gerler on electric bass, Bruce Ridge on upright bass, Jonathan Kramer on cello, Libo Nash on harmonica, Tom Mohbat on drums, and Ravi Shing on percussion. Produced by Bett Padgett and Tom Mohbat.
More Than Time
RELEASED 1997
More Than Time was recorded in 1997, in part from a grant from the United Arts Council. There are songs of loss. Both of Bett’s parents died during the writing of songs and just before recording the album. There are whimsical, funny songs as well, such as asking why do dogs sniff each other’s tails, and some traditional ballads and lullabies. This is a very bare recording with only Bett on guitars, mandolin, and a little percussion but joined by friend Jonathan Kramer on cello. There is something everyone will enjoy! Produced by Bett Padgett and Tom Mohbat of Bad Dog Productions