‘Bluegrass: The Early Years’ at MHM

Before “bluegrass” became a style of music, it was simply the name of a band: “Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys.”

In 1938, the band made its first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, and the music was so well received – and became so popular – that over time, “bluegrass” evolved from a name into a style of music.

This Saturday night, Aug. 4, Mountain Home Music will present “Bluegrass: The Early Years, Vol. II.”
“Last year, we started telling the story of bluegrass music,” said Joe Shannon, founder and host of Mountain Home Music. “This year, through the music of bluegrass legends, the story continues.”

“Bluegrass: The Early Years, Vol. II” will feature music from the founders of bluegrass — Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs and the Stanley Brothers — plus the music of second-generation players, including the Osborne Brothers, J.D. Crowe, Larry Sparks and others.

Leading the musical history will be Dave Haney (guitar and mandolin), Lisa Baldwin (guitar), Ronnie Swan (bass fiddle), David Johnson (fiddle and dobro) and Eric Ellis (five-string banjo). Both Johnson and Ellis are members of the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. Dulcimer player Neil Hellman will also be on hand to demonstrate the connection between Celtic and bluegrass music.

“Bluegrass: The Early Years, Vol. II” will take place at the Meadowbrook Inn, which is located at 711 Main St. in Blowing Rock. Starting time is 8 p.m.

“The Meadowbrook Inn will also serve a preconcert meal for anyone who wants to combine a traditional southern meal with traditional southern music,” Shannon said.

The meal will include fried chicken and related side dishes. Seating for the meal begins at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for the concert are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Student tickets are $10, and children’s tickets are $5. Tickets for the combined concert and dinner are $29 in advance and $34 at the door. Combined children’s tickets (10 and younger) cost $12.50.

Tickets may be purchased at the Mast Store (Boone and Valle Crucis), Fred’s Mercantile on Beech Mountain, Kudzu Music (formerly Rydell’s) in Boone, Pandora’s Mailbox and the Dulcimer Shop, both in the Martin House on Main Street in downtown Blowing Rock, and at the Meadowbrook Inn.

Tickets may also be purchased online though the Mountain Home Music website, http://www.mountainhomemusic.com. For more information, visit the website or call (828) 964-3392.

The purpose of Mountain Home Music is to honor the music and the musicians of the Appalachian region.

Mountain Home Music is affiliated with the Blue Ridge Music Trails, a project of the North Carolina Arts Council.