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Bluegrass Bands Ready for First Round of Inaugural HayesGrass Competition

Band Battle Kicks Off April 15 and 16

Story by David Brewer

When the finalists for the Hayes Performing Arts Center’s inaugural HayesGrass bluegrass band competition were announced at the February 23 John McEuen concert, eight groups of pickers representing Ashe, Avery, Watauga and Caldwell counties began feverishly preparing setlists and practicing songs in the hopes of winning the big cash prize and the opening slot for the Lonesome River Band on May 17.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, April 15 and 16, the first four bands will strap on their instruments and take the Hayes Center stage for the quarterfinal round of the competition. Each band will perform a 45-minute set, counting on audience member votes to propel them to the next round.

Tickets for the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds are $10. Purchase tickets at Hayes Center box office, by telephone at 828-295-9627 or by clicking to www.hayescenter.org

Diana & Sarvis Ridge (Tuesday, April 15)

When High Country summer favorites Diana & Sarvis Ridge got word that they were tapped to compete in the HayesGrass competition, the band got an early start to dusting off the winter cobwebs and readying a solid set of originals and favorites for both the competition and several other upcoming shows.

“”There’s not a lot going on in the winter and you’ve got to get it all brushed up anyway,” said Diana Wilcox. “We’ve been working really hard.”

Stylistically, Diana & Sarvis Ridge lean in the direction of mid-tempo bluegrass and country numbers, preferring to rely on the strength of Wilcox’s vocals and the band’s solid backing instead of break-neck bluegrass picking.

When not playing music with longtime bandmates Phil Halbedel, Caleb Jackson and Rick Ramseur, Wilcox work at New River Light and Power. More accustomed to playing outside barbeques and parties, the Boone native is excited at the prospect of simply being offered the chance to play the Hayes Center.

“It’s a great place to play and if we get to play there more than once it’s just icing on the cake,” said Wilcox. “I just sent our press kit in thinking whatever happens, happens. I’m kind of anxious to see how it turns out.”

To hear music by Diana & Sarvis Ridge, click to www.myspace.com/sarvisridge.

Blood Bought (Tuesday, April 15)

The roots of Caldwell County bluegrass gospel act Blood Bought run deep in the High Country to the home of the Trivette family in Sugar Grove. Bandleader and multi-instrumentalist Andy Trivette has fond memories of being surrounded by musically talented family members, many of whom are familiar to High Country music fans. Brother and sister Gary Trivette and Connie Norris are longtime members of Southern Accent, and sister Liz Harmon has long performed in various settings locally.

Together for two and half years, Blood Bought performs primarily in churches throughout North Carolina and into Tennessee, Virginia and South Carolina for appreciative gospel audiences. In addition to Trivette, the band features his wife Callie Trivette on bass and vocals, Jimmy Coffey on mandolin and vocals and Stacy Shull on guitar and vocals.

“We were surprised when we got a call back,” said Trivette. “We were tickled to death.”

Trivette met Callie while a band member at the now-defunct High Country Round-Up family entertainment center in Boone. The couple is expecting a baby in the coming months, but continue to perform as often as possible.

“[Callie] says the baby kicks every time she plays the big old bass,” said Trivette.

Trivette noted that the band is excited to be the only gospel act in the competition and hopes that HayesGrass will provide an opportunity to play for audiences not always accustomed to hearing gospel music.

“The lord has really blessed us,” said Trivette. “I never imagined the opportunities that have come our way in the last year.

Want To Go?

Date: Tuesday, April 15
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Hayes Performing Arts Center
Cost: $10

Broken Wire (Wednesday, April 16)

Nothing about Galax quintet Broken Wire reveals that the band’s members have yet to graduate from high school. The band’s hard-driving traditional bluegrass sound is polished to a high shine as their songs virtually leap out of the speakers.

Together for only a year, Broken Wire has already shared the stage with Alison Krauss bandmate Ron Block, Sierra Hull and the Daily Vincent Band and has also logged an appearance at Floydfest.

Led by the soaring vocals of fiddler Courtney Burroughs, the band’s fluid harmonies, driving rhythms and energetic feel are likely to catch on with HayesGrass audience members. Other members include Houston Caldwell on banjo and harmony vocals, Nick Keen on mandolin and vocals, Asa Gravely on guitar and vocals, and Jonathan Campbell on bass and vocals.

“They’re all grade-A musicians,” said Caldwell. “We’re going to plan it just like another show.”

According to Caldwell, Broken Wire will throw in some bluegrass favorites to appeal to the crowd. However, if the songs on their MySpace page are any indication, all the band will have to do is act naturally.

To hear songs by Broken Wire, click to www.myspace.com/brokenwireband.

Lost Ridge Band (Wednesday, April 16)

According to Lost Ridge Band banjo player and vocalist Pete Washburn, it was only after news of HayesGrass finalists were announced over the airwaves that the veteran High Country band learned of their inclusion.

“We didn’t know we made it into the competition until we heard it on the radio,” said a laughing Washburn. “My mom heard it driving down the road.”

If you’ve been anywhere near the back deck of Murphy’s Irish Pub in downtown Boone on warm Friday nights for the last couple of years, chances are you’ve heard the Lost Ridge Band hosting their rowdy weekly picking party. During their seven-year tenure, the quartet has played nearly every venue in town and even a few places that aren’t.

In addition to Washburn, the Lost Ridge Band includes guitarist and vocalist Phil Washburn, bassist Elijah Davenport and mandolin player Shane Crawford.

Lost Ridge has also been a popular festival draw, turning up each summer at MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove, the inaugural Appalachian Roots Revival and last year’s Asheville Music Jamboree, as well as making several appearances for the Watauga Arts Council’s Concerts on the Lawn series.

Far from being a traditional bluegrass outfit, the Lost Ridge Band also performs regularly with drummer Peter Hannast, embracing the progressive sounds of acoustic roots bands like Railroad Earth while summoning the rowdy spirit of old-time revivalists Old Crow Medicine Show.

According to Washburn, the band plans to use its upcoming performances in Boone and Black Mountain to hone its 45-minute set and hopes that the band’s fans will come out and support them as they compete.

For more info on the Lost Ridge Band, click to www.lostridgeband.com.

Want To Go?

Date: Wednesday, April 16
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Hayes Performing Arts Center
Cost: $10