NextThreeDays: Event Display

Country Blues & Songsters Concert
Venue: Blue Ridge Music Center, Galax
Directions: Google Map Link
Date: Saturday, August 18, 2012
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Event Types: Music, Food, Miscellaneous, Family Friendly
Cost:
General Public: $10.00 Students & Seniors: $8.00 Children 12 and Under: Free

Description:
Blue Ridge Music Center rresents the Country Blues & Songsters Concert on Saturday, August 18th.

Blues masters will converge at the Blue Ridge Music Center and explore the blues of the Piedmont, the mountains and beyond at the Country Blues & Songsters concert. Performers include three top bluesmen: Dom Flemmons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, 84-year-old blues songster Boo Hanks of Virgilina, VA, and North Carolina ace guitarist/singer Lightnin’ Wells. There will also be a pre-concert performance talk called, “Talkin’ About the Blues,” led by folklorist, Gregg Kimball.

Boo Hanks grew up sharecropping tobacco in Vance County, NC. His father played blues guitar in the style of Blind Boy Fuller and would entertain those in his small community at local events and all-night tobacco curings. Boo grew up hearing this music and listened to blues records. He bought his first guitar from Sears-Roebuck for $2 and entertained his local community much like his dad did. In recent years, Boo has gained national recognition and started performing further afield from his home. Tim Duffy, Music Maker founder, says, “Boo Hanks is the last remaining beacon of pure Piedmont blues.”

Dom Flemons is a Grammy award winning artist who has played all over the country with his band the Carolina Chocolate Drops. On stage, Dom, rolls from one instrument to another, (guitar, harmonica, banjo, bones), with a fearless attitude toward tradition and repertoire. He is also a great singer and a deep well of information on all aspects of the tradition of black stringband music in America.

Lightnin’ Wells breathes new life into the vintage tunes of the 1920s and depression era America and has been performing for over thirty years at almost every festival, camp and blues venue in the country. He is an avid researcher and accomplished guitar, harmonica, uke and banjo player. With his experience, knowledge and well-honed performance skills, Lightnin' Wells has established himself at the forefront of the traditional blues revival.

As always, there will be free Mid Day Mountain Music in the BRMC breezeway from 12-4pm and the free Roots of American Music museum will be open 9-8pm on this concert night.

Tickets are available at the Galax Visitor Center, Barr’s Fiddle Shop, online at http://www.BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org and at the gate.

A“Talkin’ About the Blues” performance-talk will take place in the small theater at 5 pm. Admission is free. Reservations for the talk are recommended. Call 276-236-5309.

Bring lawn chairs and the whole family. Picnics welcome. Smokehouse BBQ available. No pets or alcohol.

The Blue Ridge Music Center is located at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The summer-evening concert series occurs every weekend through mid-September in the outdoor amphitheater.

For more information, visit: http://www.blueridgemusiccenter.org/ or call 276-236-5309 x112.