After a nearly three-year hiatus, Five Way Friday returns to the iconic Windjammer. Formed in 1997, the band spent the better part of the next decade touring the Southeast and releasing three full-length albums – Moon Driven World (1997), Run Like This (2000), and Wrecked (2003/produced by Mark Bryan of Hootie & the Blowfish). During that time, Five Way Friday shared the stage with such national acts as Vertical Horizon, Edwin McCain, and Cowboy Mouth, and regional favorites like the Blue Dogs, Cravin’ Melon, and Uncle Mingo. Five Way Friday enjoyed peak success when Run Like This reached #4 on Billboard‘s Top Internet Albums and album tracks “Homecoming” and “Everyone” were featured on the hit show Dawson’s Creek. Despite families and careers taking center stage, Five Way Friday managed to maintain a limited tour schedule in the years that followed, playing to familiar faces in some of its favorite places.
In October 2021, the band tragically and unexpectedly lost founding member Michael Helmly. Michael’s energy, infectious smile, unmatched harmonies, sincere songwriting, and effortless rhythm guitar playing made him the heart and soul of Five Way Friday. On October 26, 2024, his music and memory will be honored and celebrated when remaining band members Joe Good, Randy Helmly, Gibbs Leaphart, Mac Leaphart, Michael McWhorter, and Rivers Pearce take the stage at their favorite venue.