Whitney Mongé

Well-Crafted at IAC is a five-part intimate music series presented by the Iredell Arts Council and curated by Asheville pedal steel guitarist Matthew Smith. Set inside Statesville’s historic Old Jail, the series brings exceptional musicians together for evenings that blend live performance, storytelling, and conversation.

Each installment highlights the creative relationships Matthew has built through more than two decades of touring, recording, and making music. This installment features Matthew Smith alongside Nashville-based Americana Soul singer-songwriter and guitarist Whitney Mongé, with Rick Cooper and Mike Rhodes.

Mongé is known for her smoky, soulful vocals, raw guitar playing, and deeply personal songwriting. Raised in the Pacific Northwest, she began her musical journey busking on the streets of Seattle, where her powerful voice and honest storytelling connected her with audiences.

Her music draws from a life lived authentically, blending Americana, soul, blues, and rock into a sound that is distinctly her own. Together, these musicians will create an intimate evening of music, collaboration, and conversation in the unique setting of the Old Jail Americana Soul singer-songwriter & guitarist, Whitney Mongé built her 16 year music career starting as a prolific street performer in Seattle, WA, working her way to major stages around the world.

She has supported Ziggy Marley, KT Tunstall, Amy Helm, Allen Stone, Big Boi, and performed main stage with Black Opry at Newport Folk Festival (2023). Whitney has also sold out her own headlining shows, and has toured the US & Europe in support of her four album releases Steadfast (2014), Stone (2017), Carry On (2018) and Whitney Mongé Live with The Seattle Symphony (2021) showcasing her relatable songwriting, powerhouse vocals and rhythmic blues guitar playing.

Mongé also stars in an award winning film about her busking journey, "Find Your Way: a Busker's Documentary" with Chris Ballew (Presidents of the United States) & Joshua Bell (violinist). On September 6th, 2024 Whitney released her new single "What Would Love Do Now" produced by Anthony Ferrell at Bud's Recording Studio in Austin, TX.

This unifying, vintage soul track reminds listeners of revolution through song and heavily inspired by songwriters Sam Cooke, John Lennon and Bob Marley. Currently, Whitney is working on her full length debut album set to be released in 2027.