A Patrick County Tribute at The Blue Ridge Music Center off The Blue Ridge Parkway
July 23, 2012
Patrick County, Virginia, is famous for its deep-rooted musical traditions.
You'll understand why when you hear these two outstanding bands: The Slate Mountain Ramblers and the Country Boys on Saturday, July 28th at the Blue Ridge Music Center.
As always, there will also 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.
Decades of playing music together creates a special sound that is evident
when you hear this Patrick County family band, The Slate Mountain Ramblers.
This popular stringband, featuring fiddler, Richard Bowman, have long been
a staple both at fiddlers' conventions and dances in the northwest North
Carolina and southwest Virginia area. Fueled by Richard's energetic,
traditional fiddling, and backed up by daughter Marcia's rock-solid,
clawhammer banjo and wife Barbara's driving bass, the Slate Mountain
Ramblers provide the perfect elements for a square dance; good rhythm and
great old-time tunes. They've won their share of blue ribbons too - as a
group, on their instruments and for flatfoot dancing. They even call square
dances while they perform! The Slate Mountain Ramblers formed 30 years ago.
Members have changed over time, but for the last 20 years the band
formation has been primarily the Bowman family with additional musical
support from guitarist, Ted Ashe. This stringband has performed in England,
Austria, and across the US but they are best known as a mainstay of the
dance and festival culture locally here within the region. Dance boards
will be out for the dancers!
The Country Boys are one the best kept secrets from Patrick County. The
group has been playing bluegrass and gospel for over 35 years at fiddlers'
conventions, festivals, churches and porches along the Virginia/North
Carolina line. Great vocal harmonies and fine musicianship are their
trademark. The Country Boys consist of Johnny Joyce on guitar, Tim Bowman
on banjo, J.A. Midkiff on fiddle, Kevin Easter on mandolin and Donald
Clifton on bass. Come hear why local folks think this group is one of the
best in the Blue Ridge.
The Patrick County Tribute concert starts at 7pm on Saturday, July 28th.
Concert seating opens at 5:30pm. Admission $8/ $5 students & seniors.
Children 12 and under are free. 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.
Upcoming Performances:
SUN. Aug. 5 James King Homecoming / Cana Ramblers
$10/$8 students & seniors
SAT. Aug. 18 Country Bluesmen: Dom Flemons / Boo Hanks / Lightnin' Wells
$10/$8 students & seniors
SAT. Aug. 25 Hot Pickers, New Bands! Jus' Cauz / Old-Time Pals
$8/$5 students & seniors
SAT. Sep. 1 Travers Chandler & Avery County / Dry Hill Draggers
$10/$8 students & seniors
SAT. Sep. 8 Last Chance to Dance! Jack Krack & The Bing Brothers / Giles
Mountain Stringband $10/$8 students & seniors
SAT. Sep. 15 Celebrating 100 Years of Banjo Master Kyle Creed
$10/$8 students & seniors
Children 12 & under free.
For info on all shows and tickets call: (276) 236-5309 x112 or purchase
online at
www.BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org
Open 7 days a week (9am-5pm) through October 28th.
Mid-Day Mountain Music 12-4pm daily. Free.
Roots of American Music Museum: 9am-5pm daily (later on concert nights).
Free.
