Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
May 15, 2008 issue
Winner Will Perform Saturday with Lonesome River Band
Story by David Brewer
Bands applied, the judges listened, audiences voted and now the eight High Country bands and musicians that picked and sang for a chance to win have now been whittled down to the final two. This Friday, bands Diana & Sarvis Ridge and the Surefire Bluegrass Band will compete in the contest’s championship round for the chance to win an opening slot for the Lonesome River Band’s Saturday show and an $800 performance fee.
“We’ve already come farther than we thought we would,” said Diana Wilcox. “We didn’t expect to win the second round.”
According to Wilcox, she and her bandmates have been working during each round to hone their set to include the best possible combination of songs that appeal to the Hayes Center audience.
“It’s the 12 songs that we feel we got the best audience response,” said Wilcox. “We’re pulling out all the stops for the finals.”
Regardless of the outcome, Diana and her bandmates Phil Halbedel, Caleb Jackson and Rick Ramseur have enjoyed the unique HayesGrass experience.
“It’s been a lot of fun. I’m getting kind of spoiled just waling in and having the sound ready for us,” said Wilcox.
According to Surefire Bluegrass Band mandolin player Robbie Norris, he and his bandmates John Bryan and Tom Isaacs had low expectations entering HayesGrass, but are thrilled to be in Friday’s final round.
“We went into [the competition] expecting to lose, so that way, we were surprised when we won,” said Norris.
During the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, the Surefire Bluegrass Band performed two completely different sets of music, showcasing their deep repertoire. For the final, Norris and company plan to cull the best from each for their final set. Norris noted that the HayesGrass competition has helped the band sell several copies of their debut CD.
Norris admitted that waiting for judges to tally the votes during the first two rounds has been a nerve-wracking process. Nevertheless, the young band is ready for the final round, no matter the outcome.
“We’re trying to get it over with as fast as we can,” said Norris. “We’re going to go out there and do our best and let the audience do the rest.”
Tickets for the final round of HayesGrass tickets are $15. Tickets for the Lonesome River Band are $20 for adults and $14 for students, and are available now by calling the Hayes Center box office at 828-295-9627. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.hayescenter.org. Special group rates are also available. Season and Flex Passes can be purchased and used throughout the entire ‘08 season.
Date: Friday, May 16
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Hayes Performing Arts Center
Cost: $15
Round by round, the Surefire Bluegrass Band and Diana & Sarvis Ridge each worked their way through a talented field of local musicians, facing pair of bands to reach this Friday’s final round. Below are the round-by-round results thus far:
Quarterfinals
April 15, Diana & Sarvis Ridge vs. Blood Bought
April 16, Broken Wire vs. Lost Ridge Band
April 22, Boss Hawg vs. Ten Broeck
April 23, Amantha Mill vs. Surefire Bluegrass Band
Semifinals
May 6, Diana & Sarvis Ridge vs. Lost Ridge Band
May 7, Ten Broeck vs. Surefire Bluegrass Band
Finals
May 16, Diana & Sarvis Ridge vs. Surefire Bluegrass Band