Famed bluegrass band performs one-night
only at Hayes Center Aug. 30
A musical staple of 1960s Appalachia, the bluegrass band
Blue Ridge Descendants was formed to celebrate and preserve
the music and tradition that made mountain life and the music
it begat so unique.
The Blue Ridge Descendants
will reunite for an Aug. 30 performance at the Hayes
Center in Blowing Rock. Photo
submitted |
Three of its original members — James Coffey, Bob Harman
and Glenn Bolick — come together to recapture that old-time
sound for generations both old and new in a special concert
at the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock on Aug.
30 at 7:30 p.m.
Master potter and musician Glenn Bolick is famous in these
parts for preserving the history of the Appalachian Mountains
via music and storytelling. Well-versed in the fiddle, guitar,
banjo and harmonica, Bolick, a true descendant whose family
was among the first to settle in Appalachia, excels in old-time
gospel, mountain ballads and bluegrass, and has been featured
on radio, TV and recordings.
Guitarist James Coffey, the grandson of 1940s and ’50s
roadside musician Happy John Coffey, has demonstrated his
considerable ax-picking skills by playing with such legends
as Doc Watson and Earl Scruggs. He also appeared on Ralph
Emery’s eponymous television show.
Bob Harman, a sixth generation grandson of the Goodwin Family
Weavers, began playing the dulcimer in 1960. Upon returning
from the Army in 1966, Harman began playing shows for civic
clubs, eventually hooking up with Coffey and rounding up Tommy
Cannon, Rand Shook, Ora and Arlie Watson, and Beth Jones to
form the Blue Ridge Descendents.
Rounding out the band is Lenoir native Doug Davis on guitar
and Denton native Becky Jones on banjo.
Tickets for Blue Ridge Descendants on Aug. 30 are $12 in advance
($15 at the door) and are available now by calling the box
office at (828) 295-9627. You may pay by credit card or by
cash (in person). Tickets can also be purchased online at
www.HayesCenter.org by credit card. Special group rates are
also available.
The Hayes Performing Arts Center is located at 152 Jamie Fort
Road (off U.S. 321) in Blowing Rock. For more information,
call (828) 295-9627.
Upcoming Shows
Aug. 21–Sept. 6
HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY
Musical portrait of the country music legend. By the Blowing
Rock Stage Company.
Sept. 6
DIANA & SARVIS RIDGE
Long-time Blowing Rock bluegrass staple Diana Wilcox and her
band grace the Hayes Center stage again by popular demand.
Winner of this year’s HayesGrass competition.
Sept. 13 - 16
JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
A benefit for the Temple of the High Country. Presented by
The Simon Wiesenthal Center & Moriah Films, Westglow Resort
& Spa, and the Hayes Performing Arts Center.
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