MAY 21, 2009 ISSUE
Mountain Home Music Presents Skeeter and the Skidmarks Saturday
Inimitable vocalist and top-notch bassist John Cowan will return with his band to Blowing Rock’s Hayes Center to perform on Saturday, January 24. Cowan’s 2008 Winterfest performance sold out.
Mountain Home Music opens its 16th season this Saturday night, May 23. The concert series features local and regional musicians who reflect the heritage of the Appalachian region. The opening concert will feature Skeeter and the Skidmarks at 8:00 p.m. at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium.
The Skidmarks are an old-time band from southwest Virginia who was popular throughout the Appalachian region in the ‘90s. The band had a signature sound that blended Celtic traditions with a bluegrass style and an offbeat humor that kept audiences in anticipation of each tune and every word. The band featured a wonderful clawhammer (old-time) banjo player who could play many different styles of music; an award-winning fiddler and mandolin player; a highly acclaimed singer, songwriter and pencil artist; and a pretty bass player who sang with passion and clarity.
The verb “had” is used because, as the century turned, life pulled the Skidmarks in different directions and to different parts of the country. But their personal bonds and their love of music were ever-present. Last year, the Skidmarks reunited for an event to honor one of their own.
The Skidmarks now, as in the past, include banjo player Edwin Lacy; fiddler and mandolin player Scott Freeman; singer, songwriter and nationally acclaimed pencil artist Willard Gayheart; and bass player Sandy Grover.
In 2008, Gayheart was honored by the Blue Ridge Music Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway for his contributions to Appalachian culture. Also in 2008, along with Bob Timberlake, Doc Watson and others, he received a Best of Blue Ridge Award from Blue Ridge Magazine. Gayheart is also the subject of the book Willard Gayheart: Appalachian Artist by award winning writer Donia S. Eley, and he received the honor of “Colonel” by his home state of Kentucky. Gayheart will have some of his artwork on display.
All Mountain Home Music concerts include the music and stories of Mountain Home Music founder and host, Joe Shannon. Since it started in 1994, Mountain Home Music has provided a stage for three National Folk-life Award winners, seven North Carolina Folk Heritage Award winners, three members of the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame and more than 1,000 local and regional performers. Select concerts have been broadcast over local and public radio and regional television.
Tickets are $12.50 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets for college and high school students are $10 at the door only. Tickets can be purchased at Mast General Stores, Rydell Music Center, Pandora’s Mailbox in Blowing Rock and Fred’s Mercantile on Beech Mountain. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.MountainHomeMusic.com.
On Sunday, May 31, Mountain Home Music will feature Mike Craver, Bill Hicks and Jim Watson of the Original Red Clay Ramblers, along with Joe Newberry.
Mountain Home Music is affiliated with the Blue Ridge Music Trails, a project of the North Carolina Arts Council. For more information, click to www.MountainHomeMusic.com or call 828-964-3392.
Want To Go?
Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Blowing Rock Auditorium
Cost: $12.50 advance/$15 door/$10 students at door
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
