Singer and ukulele player Alison Self and the Hot Seats’ bluegrass maestro Joshua Bearman have both been local Americana favorites through the years, so it’s only natural that they’d combine for the bluegrass-country duo Sweet Fern. The pair plays sweet, old-time folk and bluegrass tunes in the classic vein of the Carter Family and Conway Twitty. While the songs are stripped down and a little rough around the edges, the fun and simple charm of the music still abides, just like in them good ole days. Sweet Fern performs at Ashland Coffee and Tea on Thursday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. $5-$7. ashlandcoffeeandtea.com.