August 18 - 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, N.C. 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 Hanks 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. Boo released a new album this June with Dom
Flemons called "Buffalo Junction," named after Boo's hometown. 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.
The Country Blues & Songsters concert starts at 7pm on Saturday, Aug 18th. Concert seating opens at 5:30pm. Admission $10/ $8 students & seniors. Children 12 and under are free.
Boo
Hanks grew up sharecropping tobacco in Vance County, N.C. 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 Hanks 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. Boo released a new album this June with Dom
Flemons called "Buffalo Junction," named after Boo's hometown. 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.
The Country Blues & Songsters concert starts at 7pm on Saturday, Aug 18th. Concert seating opens at 5:30pm. Admission $10/ $8 students & seniors. Children 12 and under are free.
A"Talkin' About the
Blues" performance-talk will take place in the small theater at 5 PM.
Free. Reservations for the talk recommended. 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 9am-8pm on this concert
night. Bring lawn chairs and the whole family. Picnics welcome.
Smokehouse BBQ available. No pets or alcohol.
For info call (276) 236-5309 x112. Tickets are available at the Galax Visitor Center, Barr's Fiddle Shop, online at www.BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org
and at the gate. 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 at the
foot of beautiful Fisher Peak. Sponsors for this concert include: NCTA,
ArtWorks, NPS, BRPF and the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.
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