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Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05
January 25, 2007 issue
Ashe County Public Library Hosts Winter Concert Series
Story by Celeste von Mangan
Here’s another good reason to go to the library. If you have a case of the doldrums in this mid-winter season, the Ashe County Public Library can help cure your blues with the Winter Concert Series.
The next concert in the series is Friday, February 16, when Backstreet, a bluegrass band from Wilkesboro, performs at 7:00 p.m., followed by Bluegrass 1101 at 8:00.
The members of Backstreet have been together for almost 20 years. Members include Randy Gambill, Roger Miller, Keith Oliver, Billy Gee and Jeff Pardue. Their music reflects the rich music heritage of the Southern Appalachian region, from the blues of Blind Boy Fuller to the bluegrass banjo of Earl Scruggs to the old-time mountain fiddling of Tommy Jarrell. Just when you think they are purely traditional, they will belt out some folk, swing or rock and roll.
The musicians of Bluegrass 1101 are Danny Campbell from Lansing on guitar and Brian Hicks from Todd on the banjo. Since September 2006, the duo has performed every week at Woodlands Barbeque and Pickin’ Parlor in Blowing Rock. Bluegrass 1101 also performs at craft and bluegrass festivals. With their unique arrangement of guitar and banjo, Campbell and Hicks bring a new approach to traditional fiddle tunes.
The final concert of the series takes place on Friday, March 30, at 7:00 p.m. A solo performance by guitarist Scot Pope starts the evening. Pope plays songs from the ‘50s and ’60, including folk rock and some original tunes. He has lived in Ashe County for almost 15 years. Next up is Richard Easley, a classical guitarist whose repertoire includes works by Fernando Sor and Andrés Segovia. His performances and recordings have been featured on National Public Radio. For the past 10 years, Easley has resided in Watauga County.
Performances are in the Ashe County Public Library auditorium. Admission is free, but tickets are required and can be picked up at the Ashe County Public Library located at 148 Library Drive in West Jefferson.
The concerts are supported by a grant from the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council and a Projects Pool Grant from the Ashe County Arts Council. Friends of the Library supplied matching funds.
For more information call 336-846-2041.