JANUARY 14, 2010 ISSUE
Music Festivals Thrive in ‘09
Many of us High Countrians bide our time through the long, six-month mountain winters, knowing that eventually the snow will melt, the temperatures will warm and it will be safe to venture outside without four layers of clothing. To us, the glory of the Blue Ridge in the summertime makes it all worthwhile.
The High Country climate and landscape form the perfect setting for a music festival, with mild temperatures, cool breezes and plenty of shady escapes. In 2009, several longstanding festivals once again brought great live music to the area, and new festivals saw their numbers increase.
If you’ve never enjoyed the festival experience, make 2010 your year. Don’t forget your blanket, lawn chair, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, cooler, jacket, oh, and antacid—for all that delicious festival food. Your stomach will thank you.
MusicfestMusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove
After illness forced him to cancel his 2008 performance, folk guitar legend Doc Watson returned to MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove in 2009, picking and singing alongside his grandson, Richard Watson, and good friend and fellow musician Charles Welch. The 2009 festival, which also featured standout bands the Carolina Chocolate Drops, the Kruger Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers and many others, attracted record crowds of nearly 4,000 people to the historic Cove Creek School on July 10 and 11. The 13th annual festival is scheduled for July 9 and 10, 2010, with Doc, Richard, Charles and the Krugers on board for another year. Click to www.covecreek.net for details.
The GrascalsHigh Country Bluegrass Festival
There was no scarcity of talent at 2009’s High Country Bluegrass Festival, with seven-time International Bluegrass Music Association Vocal Group of the Year winner Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver leading the way. Bluegrass lovers undoubtedly had their fill at the High Country Fairgrounds with The Grascals and the Darin Aldridge and Brook Justice Quintet and local acts Surefire, Southern Accent and Avery County’s “Big Al” Johnson. Click to www.highcountrybluegrassfestival.com and be on the lookout for this year’s lineup.
Playhouse Family Music Festival
The only local music festival dedicated to kids expanded to two days in its third year, with performances by Sol Driven Train, Big Bang Boom, the Lazybirds, The Forget-Me-Nots, Lost Ridge Band, Lisa Baldwin and Dave Haney and more, along with tons of children’s activities. The proceeds benefited the Children’s Playhouse, a nonprofit children’s museum in Boone. Bookmark www.goplayhouse.org to watch for this year’s schedule.
Music on the MountaintopMusic on the Mountaintop
In its second year, Music on the Mountaintop saw its numbers swell to nearly 4,200 at the High Country Fairgrounds. Named the greenest festival by Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine, Music on the Mountaintop featured solar-powered stages and raised $5,000 for the Appalachian Institute for Renewable Energy. Top acts Sam Bush and Keller Williams and regional favorites Naked Gods, Do It To Julia and Bafoodus helped reel in the happy concertgoers. This year’s festival will expand to two days and is scheduled for August 27 and 28, 2010. More info? Click to www.musiconthemountaintop.com.
Daniel Boone DaysDaniel Boone Days
Also in its sophomore year, the Daniel Boone Days Music & Culture Festival welcomed 1,250 fans from 25 states and three foreign countries to downtown Boone and Horn in the West. The beautiful Horn in the West amphitheater was filled with dancers who traveled from all over to see Donna the Buffalo, who followed great performances by Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Upright & Breathin’, the Forget-Me-Nots and others. Knowledge-seekers packed the room at ASU for the Dr. Edwin Arnold Daniel Boone Symposium, featuring authors Robert Morgan and Randell Jones. The 2010 event is slated for September 4—click to www.danielboonedays.com for all the info.
High Country Praise Festival
Held indoors at the Holmes Convocation Center, the High Country Praise Festival featured Christian recording artists Brandon Heath, Josh Wilson, Meredith Andrews and 7 Miles, as well as a performance by A Temple Cry, the 2008 winner of the Stars in His Crown Talent Search. The event also featured Pastor Reggie Hunt and ASU All-American football player Cortez Gilbert as inspirational speakers. For info on the 2010 festival, click to www.sonslightministries.com.
New River Blues Festival
High Country-based blues artists The King Bees proudly hosted the 7th annual gathering of “real deal,” world-class blues performers in Jefferson September 6. By the river at Jefferson Landing, attendees enjoyed an afternoon of soulful tunes by “Empress of the Blues” Sandra Hall, Pop Ferguson, Big Ron Hunter, Bob Thames and the Bees themselves. Look for info on 2010’s event by clicking to www.myspace.com/newriverbluesfestival.
Todd New River Festival
The annual Todd New River Festival, held October 10 at Cook Park, featured a full day of roots, bluegrass and Americana music by the Corklickers, the Norris Family, Surefire, Amantha Mill, the Wolfe Brothers and the Buck Haggard Band, along with clogging, kids’ activities, prize raffles and puppet shows. The family-friendly event is sure to return in 2010—click to www.toddruritan.org/newriverfestival.htm next fall.
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