Old Time Bluegrass Music is Going Strong at the 42nd Annual NC State Bluegrass Festival this Weekend

August 18 - 20, 2016     42nd Annual NC State Bluegrass Festival   Featuring dozens of bluegrass musicians. Tickets are available at the gate or in advance by calling 706-864-7203. The event is held  "rain or shine" with performances under a covered pavilion. 

The cafe will be serving breakfast and lunch, with hot food and other concessions also available. Bring your lawn chairs - no alcohol, smoking or pets in the performance area.

This event is held at Tom Johnson's  Camping World located at 1885 US 70 West in Marion NC

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.

Brevard Music Center First Mondays Concert

February 4 at 12:30 PM - The Brevard Music Center First Mondays Concert features the McIver Quartet.

McIver Quartet, the quartet of faculty members from UNC Greensboro, was formed in 2009 when the four string players came together to dedicate their time to a medium often thought to be the capstone experience of chamber music composition and performance. While the quartet is in its youth, the four members have extensive experience as members of small chamber ensembles. 

Members have played alongside the great musicians of our day, including the Tokyo, Guarnari, Emerson, and Cleveland String Quartets. They are dedicated to bringing diverse repertoire to the region and have plans to tour Spain and the Northeast United States, as well as join forces with Dmitri Sitkovetsky for a program of viola quintets in North Carolina. The group is also committed to outreach work and enjoys playing more casual performances for audiences of all ages.

The quartet has been featured on several concert series at UNC Greensboro, as well as the Sitkovetsky and Friends Chamber Series in association with the Greensboro Symphony. Members include:

Marjorie Bagley, violin

Fabián López, violin

Scott Rawls, viola

Alexander Ezerman, cello

The Program is:

TURINA La Oración del Torero, Op. 34

ARRIAGA String Quartet No. 3 in E flat major

PROKOFIEV String Quartet No. 2 in F Major, Op. 92 on Kabardinian Themes.

The Brevard Music Center First Mondays Conerts are held at Scott Concert Hall at the Porter Center of Brevard College, 1 Brevard College Drive  in Brevard NC.