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Up next: A good ol' mountain dance party
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The Slate Mountain Ramblers
Saturday, July 1, 7 p.m. | $10
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The Slate Mountain Ramblers are one of the premier contemporary, family-based string bands of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They have been a mainstay of the dance and festival culture in central and Western North Carolina and Southwest Virginia for 24 years. Known for their traditional take on classic old-time music and dance-inducing performances, the Slate Mountain Ramblers are Richard Bowman (fiddle, vocals), Barbara Bowman (bass, vocals), Marsha Todd (banjo, vocals), and Randy Hiatt (guitar).
The Zephyr Lightning Bolts are a popular, family-based, string band that carries on the old-time and American music traditions of the mountains. The group features bassist Steve Bowen, banjo picker Diane Bowen, and their son, Jacob, on fiddle. Rounding out the band is guitarist Chester McMillian, who was awarded the Brown-Hudson Folklore Award in 2013, which acknowledges lifetime achievement in furthering cultural traditions in North Carolina.
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Bluegrass & Brews in the Blue Ridge
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Don't miss our preconcert reception before the Steep Canyon Rangers performance
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On select occasions, we host small preconcert receptions in the Luthier Shop at the Blue Ridge Music Center. You won't want to miss this summer's event from 5 to 7 p.m., July 8, before the Steep Canyon Rangers take the stage.
You'll get to enjoy tasty bites and cold brews from Creek Bottom Brewing Company. Reception tickets are $35 and available
by calling
(866) 308-2773, ext. 212, or click here.
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Saturday, July 8, 5-7 p.m. reception, $35; 7 p.m. concert, $25
What does North Carolina sound like?
In a state that's produced Doc Watson, James Taylor, and The Avett Brothers, there's hardly a more well-rounded answer than the Steep Canyon Rangers. A bluegrass band at their core, the Steep Canyon Rangers are as danceable as the most progressive, party-oriented string band, and equally comfortable translating their songs for accompaniment by a full symphony. The group earned a Grammy award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2013. The group's members are Woody Platt (guitar, vocals), Graham Sharp (banjo, vocals), Mike Guggino (mandolin, vocals), Nicki Sanders (fiddle), Charles Humphrey III (bass), and Mike Ashworth (
cajón
box kit).
Eli, 14, and Aila Wildman, 12, of The Wildmans have been hailed for their highly skilled instrumentals on mandolin and fiddle and soulful vocals applied to bluegrass tunes with a smattering of old-time, blues, and jazz. Eli and Aila's mom, Deb, holds down the beat on bass, new member Victor Furtado plays the banjo, and Hunter Crawford rounds out the group on guitar.
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Snyder Family Band |
Saturday, July 15, 7 p.m. | $10
The Snyder Family Band from Lexington, North Carolina, creates a unique sound that includes bluegrass, Southern rock, blues, Texas wing, and newgrass. Samantha, who began classical violin lessons at the age of three, is an award-winning fiddler as well as a top-notch singer and songwriter. Zeb is a skilled multi-instrumentalist who is widely acclaimed for his lead guitar, songwriting, and distinctive rhythm. Supporting these gifted young musicians, their dad, Bud, holds down a rock solid upright bass rhythm. His ability to adapt to multiple genres that influence the band is a key ingredient of the trio's signature sound.
Five Mile Mountain Road is a Franklin County, Virginia-based old-time, bluegrass, and classic country band with an emphasis on dance music. Named after one of the county's signature rural byways, the group is a bright up-and-coming band. Five Mile Mountain Road's members are Billy Hurt (fiddle, vocals), Seth Boyd (banjo, guitar, vocals), and Steven Dowd (bass, vocals).
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April Verch Band |
Saturday, July 22, 7 p.m. | $15
Fiddler, singer, and step dancer April Verch was raised surrounded by roots music, including her father's country band rehearsing, the lively music at church and community dances, and the tunes she rocked out to win fiddle competitions. She is perhaps best known for playing traditional fiddle styles from her native Ottawa Valley, Canada, yet her performances extend into old-time American and Appalachian styles and far beyond. Verch and her fellow trio members, Cody Walters (upright-electric bass, banjo), and Alex Rubin (guitar, mandolin) pare down their arrangements, highlighting the simple pleasures of upright bass, guitar, clawhammer banjo, voices, fiddle, and stepping to create an intimate musical conversatio
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The members of Grayson County Daredevils are longtime aficionados of old-time Southern string band music. The group is known for playing a variety of lesser-known fiddle tunes and songs featuring three styles of banjo accompaniment. The Grayson County Daredevils are Tom Mylet (banjo, guitar, vocals), Kyle Dean Smith (guitar, banjo), Jerry Correll (fiddle, vocals), and Donna Correll (bass, vocals).
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Season passes are on sale now!
All passes include discounts on preconcert reception tickets and other special events.
Half Season Pass (any 7 concerts) = $100
Pick 3 (any 3 concerts) = $50
Season passholders and
members receive:
- Early concert entry (15 minutes before public)
- 15% discount at the Music Center Gift Shop
- A special gift
- Priority seating/early entry when shows are moved indoors due to inclement weather (must be present at time of early entry)
- Presale option on receptions, shows & events
- E-mail newsletter
- Preshow concert update
- Invitation to special interpretive programs
Visit
blueridgemusiccenter.org
or call (866) 308-2773, ext. 212.
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Join us at the Music Center the second Monday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (
July 10, August 14, and September 11)
for dance workshops with Marianne Kovatch of the Chestnut Creek School of the Arts. The session starts with step instruction, and at noon the group practices to the music of the Buck Mountain Band.
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Music Down the Road
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Whitetop Mountain Band |
Blended Grass (July 7)
Whitetop Mountain Band (July 14)
Rex Theater, Galax, Virginia
The Historic Rex Theater hosts the
Blue Ridge Backroads
radio show every Friday at 7 p.m. Broadcasted live from the Rex Theater by WBRF 98.1 FM, the program features talented and popular mountain music dance bands from Southwest Virginia and northwest North Carolina. Learn more
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The Blue Ridge Music Center is operated by the
National Park Service
. Since 2013, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has supported and overseen the concert programming at the Blue Ridge Music Center in keeping with the nonprofit's mission to ensure cultural and historical preservation, along with natural resource protection, educational outreach, and visitor enjoyment now and for future generations.
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Season Sponsors & Supporters
The Blue Ridge Music Center receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts,
Winston-Salem Journal, National Council for Traditional Arts,
88.5 WFDD: Public Radio for the Piedmont, Visit Winston-Salem, Yadkin Arts Council, Triad City Beat, and Eastern National.
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Blue Ridge Music Center
Open May through October
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700 Foothills Road, Galax, VA 24333
Milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
(276) 236-5309 www.BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org
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