Bluegrass fans will be glad to hear of the James King Homecoming at the Blue Ridge Music Center August 5th featuring the James King Band and the Cana Ramblers. This Sunday evening concert at the Music Center will kick off the following great week of music at the Old Fiddler’s Convention in Galax.
Virginia native, James King, grew up in Carroll County — one of the most fertile breeding grounds for bluegrass and old-time musicians. Known for singing such bluegrass and country classics as “30 Years of Farming,” “Saginaw Michigan,” and “Carroll County Accident,” King has gained national recognition.
As a young man James began to take the music seriously, particularly the music of his fellow Virginians, the Stanley Brothers and banjoist, Ted Lundy, whose raw and heartfelt brand of bluegrass exerted a particularly strong influence on his music.
King went on to perform and record with many bluegrass musicians of note including: T.J. & Bobby Lundy, Dudley Connell, Don Rigsby, Joe Mullins, Glen Duncan and others. King now resides in Danville, Virginia with his wife Julie but this special concert at the Blue Ridge Music Center on Sunday, August 5th, will bring him home to Carroll County.
Local, family-band favorite, the Cana Ramblers, will kick off the show. The Cana Ramblers include: flatpicking guitar phenom, Will Jones, talented sisters Laura Leigh and Ashley on vocals, mando and bass along with father/songwriter, Phillip on vocals and guitar. Rick Allred rounds out the group on mandolin and dobro.
The concert that will honor and celebrate the music from Cana, Virginia.
The James King Homecoming Concert starts at 7pm on Sunday, August 5th. Concert seating opens at 5:30pm. Admission $10/ $8 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. 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. 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:
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.
