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Founded 05-05-05

A Modern Musical Family Tradition

Possum Jenkins & Lost Ridge Band Return to Murphy’s for Another St. Paddy’s Party

Special to High Country Press

On March 17, 2004, newly formed alt. country quartet Possum Jenkins, still rough around the edges and unknown to local audiences, waded through the tightly packed barroom at Murphy’s Irish Pub in Boone to set up for their second-ever show together. Entrusted by booking agent John Rush with the highly coveted St. Paddy’s Day gig at the holiday’s most popular spot in town, the band was understandably nervous.

After three hours of sweaty, guitar-fueled Americana mayhem, the capacity crowd left with their ears ringing and Possum Jenkins left with a roomful of new fans.

Since that fateful night in the band’s history, Possum Jenkins has served as the go-to act, a guaranteed rowdy rock n’ roll good time, for St. Paddy’s crowds at Murphy’s. Next Monday, March 17, will be the fourth time in five years Possum Jenkins has braved wall-to-wall, green-clad revelers to play what the band considers their home venue on its biggest night of the year.

“I’d rather play Murphy’s on St. Paddy’s Day than almost any other venue on any night of the year,” said Possum Jenkins multi-instrumentalist David Brewer. “The energy in the room is incredible and the fans and friends who come out always make the night an unforgettable experience.”

To the delight of some and dismay of others, Possum Jenkins shows at King Street’s most earthy venue have been a license to cut loose for unhinged fans looking to get wild. Bartenders have more often than not looked on helplessly as female fans dance along the bar and male onlookers cheer them on wildly.

Throughout Possum Jenkins’ four-year run, the intimate barroom stage at Murphy’s has served as a testing ground, allowing the band to develop their music and stage show in front of supportive audiences and staff members, eventually propelling the band to venues and festivals across the North and South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.

For the band’s show on Monday, Possum Jenkins’ usual four-man lineup will be augmented by harmonica player and recent band addition Brent Buckner, as well as frequent collaborator and keyboardist Aaron Burleson. Burleson co-produced the band’s fall 2007 release On Time.

“We’ve got a few surprises up our sleeves for this year’s St. Paddy’s madness,” said Brewer. “We’re going to do our best to ensure that fans will remember this show for years to come once their hangovers wear off.”

Another indispensable part of the Murphy’s St. Paddy’s traditions in recent years has been an early show by good-time bluegrassers the Lost Ridge Band. With plenty of St. Paddy’s partakers enjoying pints of Guinness and green beer all day, Lost Ridge has served as the perfect picking primer while contributing a few hours of music to a long and wild night.

Perhaps more than any other group, the Lost Ridge Band has endeared themselves to Murphy’s regulars through their ongoing performances on the restaurant’s back porch during warm weather Friday nights. The band’s amalgam of acoustic rock and traditional bluegrass stylings has resulted in a loyal following that is more interested in high-energy performance than note-by-note perfection.

On Monday, March 17, the Lost Ridge Band will hit the Murphy’s stage at 6:00 p.m. followed by Possum Jenkins at 10:30 p.m. For more info, call Murphy’s at 828-264-5117.

Want To Go?

Date: Monday, March 17
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Murphy’s
Cost: $6