Photo Gallery

Moments Along the Way

Every performance has a story. These photographs capture the people, places, rehearsals, festivals, open mics, and behind-the-scenes moments that have shaped—and continue to shape—Jewel’s musical journey.

Jewel Ward performing at the Fonta Flora open mic on 6 August 2026. She sang 3 songs: Lavender Blue (Burl Ives/Traditional); Dreaming My Dreams with You (Waylon Jennings); and her original song, Dance Again (Jewel Ward).
Jewel Ward performing her original song, "Dance Again" at Indivisible Burke NC's This Moment Art Show, Selected Artist Performances on 12 July 2026 in Morganton, NC.
Chris Eselgroth, Jewel Ward, Ethan Herndon, and Brantley Davis enjoy the music and brews at Fonta Flora in downtown Morganton, NC on 2 July 2026.
Jewel Ward returned to Fonta Flora Brewery in Morganton, North Carolina, for her thirteenth open mic performance—and after a 100-degree summer day, the cold beer, welcoming room, and enthusiastic audience were especially appreciated.
Tony Robles, Tiara Channer, and Jewel Ward at the 2nd annual "Juneteenth Celebration: Say Their Names". Held at the Union Grove Baptist Church in Hendersonville, NC on 27 June 2026. The event is held in honor of Tiara's mother, the late Crystal Caule
Jewel Ward — 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration: "Say Their Names" — 27 June 2026. Photo courtesy WLOS TV, c. 2026 All Rights Reserved.
A few of the open mic artists at Fonta Flora Brewery on 2 April 2026.
Jewel Ward about to perform at her 12th open mic for guitar and vocals, at Fonta Flora Brewery, 2 April 2026.
Jewel Ward sings while Chris Eselgroth plays guitar during a live performance at the Fonta Flora Brewery open mic in Morganton, North Carolina.
Michael Stillwell, Lilly Brown, Ethan Herndon, and JP Terry, performers at the Musician Showcase at Fonta Flora Brewery on 7 February 2026.
Jewel Ward reciting one of her original poems at the Burke Arts Council Poetry Open Mic on 6 February 2026.
Jewel Ward singing Christmas songs at the open mic at Fonta Flora Brewery, Morganton, NC on 4 December 2025.
Jewel Ward performing at the Fonta Flora Brewery Open Mic on 6 November 2025.
Chris Eselgroth performing at the open mic at Fonta Flora Brewery Morganton, NC on 2 October 2025.
Lilly Brown and Ethan Herndon singing duets at the open mic at Fonta Flora Brewery, Morganton, NC on 2 October 2025.
Jewel Ward performing at the open mic at Fonta Flora Brewery in Morganton, NC on 2 October 2025.
Line up for the open mic at Fonta Flora Brewery in Morganton, NC on 2 October 2025.
Chris Eselgroth rockin' and rollin' at the open mic at Fonta Flora Brewery on 4 Sept 2025.
Lilly Brown and Ethan Herndon singing duets at the open mic at Fonta Flora Brewery on 4 Sept 2025.
Jewel Ward playing guitar and singing at the open mic at Fonta Flora Brewery on 4 Sept 2025.
Set list for the Open Mic at Fonta Flora Brewery on 4 Sept 2025.
Host Jewel Ward opening the Hootenanny – Play Music on the Porch Day 2025
Jewel sang her original song, "Red Dirt Girl", and a cover of "Savage Daughter" at the Fonta Flora Open Mic on 7 August 2025. She dedicated the songs to a childhood friend who passed recently.
Ti Channer, Jewel Ward, and Robert Zachary at The Crystal Clear Stair Event, honoring Ti's late mother, Crystal Cauley, who passed unexpectedly in June 2024.
Tyler Penington and Serina Penington celebrating after completing their first open mic, ever, at Fonta Flora Brewery on 3 April 2025, with Jewel Ward cheering them on.
Serina Penington and son, Tyler Penington, playing at their first open mic on 3 April 2025 at Fonta Flora Brewery in Morganton, NC.
Jewel Ward singing a cover of Waylon Jennings' "Dreaming My Dreams with You" at the open mic at Fonta Flora Brewery on 3 April 2025.
Jewel Ward and Serina Penington have come a long way together. It's great to see their names on a set list board!
Jewel Ward singing and playing guitar at the open mic at Fonta Flora Brewery on 6 March 2025.
Jewel Ward singing and playing guitar at the open mic at Fonta Flora Brewery on 6 February 2025.
Jewel Ward and Jimmy Buchanan singing a duet at the open mic at Fonta Flora Brewery in Morganton, NC on 2 January 2025.
Jewel Ward live at Fonta Flora Brewery's open mic, 5 December 2024. Photo (c). Kelly Bowers Messenheimer. All rights reserved.
Relief at the end of Penington & Ward's first duet in public. Success! Also, it was the last song of "Jewel's Open Mic/Friends and Family Jam" for Morganton Play Music on the Porch Day, 31 August 2024.
Serina Penington and Jewel Ward duet on "Amazing Grace" at Morganton Play Music on the Porch Day, 31 August 2024.
Jewel Ward playing with Robbie Gibson and Paul Macy at the Celebration of Life for their sister, Candi Delite Richman, on 15 June 2024 in Burnsville, NC. It was a lovely celebration and an honor to be asked to play by her daughter, Cassy. Photo (c).
Jewel Ward was a guest vocalist for Sami Steve & Smith at Linville Falls Winery in Newland, North Carolina on 1 June 2024. That's Samantha Allen Reid on the left, and Gregg Smith on the right on keyboards. Photo (c). 2024 by Cassy Macy. All Rights Re
Shenanigans after the set at Linville Falls Winery, May 4th, 2024 in Newland, North Carolina. Left to right: Chris Abernathy, Samantha Reid, and Jewel Ward. In the back: Nicholas Propst. Jewel Ward was a guest vocalist with Sami & Smith.
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Jam session at the 2nd Biennial River (Otter & Crane) Fish Fry, held in the Oak Hill area of Burke County, North Carolina on 20 April 2024. Left to right: Brad Farnham, Debra White, Brad Ferree on bass, and Jewel Ward. The informal quartet was (proba
Jewel Ward singing at Community Fest 2 in Hendersonville, NC on 9 September 2023. Jewel was part of a larger ensemble of performers and artists.
Tatiana, Jewel Ward, and Crystal Cauley at Community Fest 2. Crystal organized the festival at Brooklyn Park in Hendersonville on 9 September 2023. Jewel was part of a larger ensemble of performers and artists.
Jewel Ward singing and playing guitar on "Dreaming My Dreams with You", with Jimmy Buchanan monitoring the sound. Play Music on the Porch Day, 26 August 2023 in Morganton, North Carolina USA. Photo (c). 2023 Jewel Ward. All Rights Reserved.
Play Music on the Porch Day, 23 August 2023 in Morganton, North Carolina USA. Tim Pittman, Jewel Ward, and Jimmy Buchanan. This is the first time since high school these 3 have performed at an event together. Photo (c). 2023 Jimmy Buchanan. All Right
Samantha Allen Reid of Sami & Smith, with Jewel Ward at Silver Fork Winery in Newland, NC on 29 July 2025.
Porch practice: Serina Pennington and Jewel Ward, 24 June 2023.
The organizers of the Juneteenth Event! 2023 at the Carl Sandburg House in Flat Rock, NC cancelled the show about an hour before it was supposed to begin. There was rain and possible lightning. The event was outside. A few of the performers met and d
Improv Juneteenth Event! 2023 In Hendersonville, NC on 11 June 2023. Here, I am singing a cover of Katy Perry’s “Firework”. The original event at the Carl Sandburg House that day was postponed due to rain and lightning. The cancellation occurred ab
Jewel Ward sang "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" and "Summertime" as part of a larger ensemble of performers in "Rise Up!". The event was held on 25 February 2023 at Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Hendersonville, NC. Photo (c). 2023 Jewel H. Wa
Group photo of the performers in Rise Up!, a performing arts event held on 25 February 2023 as part of Black History Month. Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Hendersonville, NC USA hosted the program. Photo (c). 2023 Jewel H. Ward. All rights
Jewel Ward singing and playing guitar on her original composition, "Red Dirt Girl", in public for the first time in Asheville, NC on 10 December 2022. The event was a recital for Kylie B. Music Studio. Photo (c). 2022 Jewel H. Ward. All rights reser
Performance of Des'ree's "Gotta Be" at “Juneteenth Freedom 2022: No Crystal Stair”. 4 June 2022, Hendersonville, NC. Photo (c). 2020 Jewel H. Ward. All rights reserved.
Group photo of the ensemble for “Juneteenth Freedom 2022: No Crystal Stair” on 11 June 2022 in Hendersonville, NC. Photo (c). 2022 Crystal Cauley. All Rights Reserved.
Rehearsal for “Juneteenth Freedom 2022: No Crystal Stair”. 4 June 2022, Hendersonville, NC. Photo (c). 2022 Jewel H. Ward. All rights reserved.
Group photo of the ensemble for “No Crystal Stair” on 15 May 2022. Photo (c). 2022 Isabel Cutler & Crystal Cauley. All Rights Reserved.
Colby Landers adjusts the microphone for Jewel Ward at “No Crystal Stair” on 15 May 2022. Photo (c). 2022 Isabel Cutler & Crystal Cauley. All Rights Reserved.
Relieved faces after a 3 hour logistics meeting on 7 May 2022 for “No Crystal Stair”. Left to right: Jewel Ward, Crystal Cauley (front), Deborah Shelton-Ogiste (back), and Tynesha Carden. Photo (c). 2022 Crystal Cauley. All Rights Reserved.
Guitar buddies Serina Pennington and Jewel Ward practicing on 17 April 2022. Photo (c). 2022 Jewel H. Ward. All rights reserved.
Jewel Ward volunteered backstage at the fundraiser, “Big Love for Liana Joy!”. Kylie Irvin organized the event. Salvage Station in Asheville, NC hosted the event on 30 November 2021. Photo (c). 2021 Jewel H. Ward. All rights reserved.
Jewel Ward, recital and singing circle, Asheville Music School/Irvin Music Studio, 20 November 2021. Photo (c). 2021 Jewel H. Ward. All rights reserved.
Jewel Ward, one year guitar progress, 6 July 2021. Photo (c). 2021 Jewel H. Ward. All rights reserved.
Jewel Ward and the Carolina Diva Diamonds, Juneteenth Event! 2021, 12 June 2021. Photo (c). 2021 Adriana Chavela. All Rights Reserved.
Jewel Ward on WLOS for the Juneteenth Event! 2021 coverage, 12 June 2021. Photo (c). 2021 WLOS. All Rights Reserved.
Jewel Ward, backstage at Juneteenth Event! 2021, 12 June 2021. Photo (c). 2021 Adriana Chavela. All Rights Reserved.
Singing Circle at Kylie Irvin Music Studio, 26 May 2021. Photo (c). 2021 Kylie Irvin Brown. All Rights Reserved.
Jewel Ward, virtual recital, 14 November 2020. Photo (c). 2020 Jewel H. Ward. All rights reserved.
Jewel Ward, lunch time guitar practice, 27 October 2020. Photo (c). 2020 Jewel H. Ward. All rights reserved.
Jewel Ward, outside practice session, 18 October 2020. Photo (c). 2020 Jewel H. Ward. All rights reserved.
Jewel Ward singing at the virtual benefit for Mountain Care Services by Asheville Music School, 15 October 2020. Photo (c). 2020 Jewel H. Ward. All rights reserved.
Jewel Ward at Asheville Music School, 30 June 2020. Photo (c). 2020 Jewel H. Ward. All rights reserved.