Blue Ridge Music Center Features Balsam Range and Cullen's Bridge

August 4 - The Blue Ridge Music Center Special Music on The Mountain Concert featuring two notable bluegrass bands, Balsam Range and Cullen's Bridge from North Carolina, kicking off a week of great music and the beginning of the Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax, VA.

This is the third special concert programmed at the Blue Ridge Music Center to celebrate the region's bluegrass music before the activities at the Fiddlers convention begin - giving locals and visitors alike, more opportunity to hear the highest caliber, mountain music.

Balsam Range is a band of five, outstanding musicians and singers from Haywood County featuring: Tim  Surrett - lead vocals and bass,  Buddy Melton - tenor vocals and fiddle,  Caleb Smith - guitar and vocals, Darren Nicholson - mandolin and harmony vocals,  as well as Marc Pruett - bluegrass banjo and vocals. The group is known for their fine musicianship, original song-writing and their tight arrangements. 

Balsam Range has seven National #1 Songs. Including: "Last Train To Kitty Hawk," "Caney Fork River," "Trains I Missed," and others. Recently, they were presented the "keys to the city" in Canton, NC where they were honored with an official declaration of "Balsam Range Day" in their home county for their positive contributions to our community. Since the start of Balsam Range, they have raised tens of thousands of dollars for regional and national charities. Balsam Range has quite a following of loyal fans and when you hear them you will know why they are so popular!

Cullen's Bridge is a bluegrass band formed by Mickey Galyean and other hot pickers from Lowgap that honors the music of Mickey's father, great songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Cullen Galyean. The group's musical experience combines a century of rich bluegrass and gospel music. From pure gospel to traditional and contemporary bluegrass, Cullen's Bridge is known for precision picking, great harmonies, and their warm stage presence.

The Music on the Mountain concert starts at 7 PM. Gates open at 5:30 PM. Tickets: $15. Children 12 and under are free. All ticket sales support the daily free programs and non-profit traditional music concert series. Advance tickets are available at the Blue Ridge Music Center, Barrs Fiddle Shop, the Galax Visitor Center, online at www.BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org or by calling (276) 236-5309 x112.

Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center Offers Dinner and a Concert

June 30   An Appalachian Evening - Balsam Range   A Bluegrass , Gospel and Country Music concert. All the fellows in the band grew up in the rich musical heritage of the Appalachian South, surrounded by culture and heritage steeped in traditions of The Grand Ole Opry…as well as the important influences of the Scotch-Irish settlers of the Southern Mountains, English ballads, Western songs…and tunes written by the band members themselves.

Family style dinner is available before the show for $15.95 for adults or $9.95 age 12 and under. Or you can get a lighter meal in the Schoolhouse Café in the main building.

Appalachian Evenings is an annual concert series presented by the Stecoah Valley cultural Arts Center in Robbinsville (Stecoah Valley) NC.