News Archive

Lively Bluegrass and Vaudevillian Ragtime

JONESBOROUGH – Come out to listen and see the lively bluegrass fiddling and vocals of Dehlia Low and the vaudeville–esque ragtime of the Wiyos during Music on the Square in downtown Jonesborough Friday May 30 at 7 p.m.

Dehlia Low is a new Asheville band combining a classic bluegrass and country blues sound with fresh energy. The band features honest, hard-hitting vocals with powerful harmony singing backed up by masterful dobro and mandolin playing, lively fiddling and a booming upright bass. Members include Anya Hinkle on vocals, guitar and fiddle; Aaron Ballance on dobro, pedal steel and guitar; Stacy Claude on vocals and guitar; Greg Stiglets on bass and Bryan Clendenin on mandolin.

The Wiyos play and compose music inspired by the early American musical idioms of the 1920s and '30s. Their music comes from a time before commercial formatting separated blues from country, ragtime from gospel and swing from hillbilly. With an instrumentation of washboard/harmonica/kazoo, resonator guitar/banjo, upright bass and three harmony vocals, The Wiyos' live performance transports audiences back to an era before TV and mass media were the main sources of entertainment. With infectious exuberance and theatrical skill, they create a visual spectacle in the tradition of vaudeville–esque performers They appeal to everyone from hipsters to seasoned music connoisseurs, from children to bikers. Everywhere they play, The Wiyos charm and amuse audiences with their exuberant style of old–timey music, passionately carrying this rich musical heritage into the 21st century.

For more information, call the Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423-753-1010

the everybodyfields and Marci Salyer

JONESBOROUGH – Music on the Square brings the everybodyfields, Marci Salyer and Midnite Flyer to downtown Jonesborough Friday May 16 at 7 p.m.

The everybodyfields, from Johnson City, are rapidly gaining a reputation as the front-runners of the newest generation of the alt-country movement. The musicians/vocalists offer melancholic interpretations of universal human stories set to achingly beautiful melodies. They put these interpretations to life with such instrumentation as lap steel, lead guitar, electric bass, piano and acoustic guitar. Their influences are country, rock and roll and folk. Fronted by Sam Quinn and Jill Andrews, the band's gentle humor combined with songs about real-life sorrows demonstrate an appreciation for tradition, while at the same time conjuring up something that is not, in fact, traditional at all.

Marci Salyer will tell you she is the daughter of South Salyer, bluegrass musician extraordinaire and ex lead singer and guitar player for Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys and daughter of the world's greatest mother, Christine Salyer. Then she'll add, "I am the product of a good Eastern Kentucky raisin' and hundreds of bluegrass festivals."

Marci currently lives in Jonesborough and says she is "charging full speed ahead in artsy Appalachia" with her new band Midnite Flyer. They play what Marci calls "Blues Grass" – bluegrass infused with blues, swing, alternative rock, jazz, country and more.

For more information, contact the Jonesborough Visitors Center, 423-753-1010

"Powergrass with a Twang"

JONESBOROUGH – Music on the Square welcomes the Cherokee Mountain Boys and Wolf Creek to downtown Jonesborough, Friday, May 9 at 7 p.m.

The Cherokee Mountain Boys have a local and regional reputation of delivering traditional bluegrass instrumentation and word in a rhythmic style made for dancing. Members have performed at popular tri-cities bluegrass spots as well other stages throughout Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina.

Lead singer, Joe Adkins, plays guitar and an occasional doghouse bass. His dad, Tom, got him started playing guitar when he was eight years old. His role models are Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys. Joe has played bluegrass for 20 years and has been with CMB for around two years.

Terry Tester has been playing bluegrass for 33 years. He masters the banjo and sings high tenor. Bluegrass regulars may remember him from The Part-Time Grass and Elk River Band. Bill Monroe has been a personal favorite for him. Terry has played with CMB on and off for about six years.

Frank Culler started playing guitar in 1956 when he was 16 years old. For the past several years he has turned to the doghouse bass. His role model was his uncle, Lowbright White, who taught him how to play. Some of his past bands include Long Hollow Ramblers, Doe River Boys and The Red Barn Band. Frank has played with CMB on and off for around two years.

Bob Greene has lived the bluegrass life for 40 years playing guitar and singing baratone. Other bands he has played with include Spiritual Life Quartet, Country Blue Band and The Honeycutt Brothers. Doyle Lawson is his personal pick on style. Bob has been running with CMB about six years. The original Cherokee Mountain Boys was started by Bob's cousin, Jimmy Greene, in the mid 1950s.

Wolf Creek is the result of a creative collaboration among five of our area's most seasoned entertainers. Since playing the Tri-Cities' top venues and events, which include Bristol Rhythm and Roots, Blue Plum, The Down Home, Paramount Theatre, Twilight Alive and The Carter Fold, Wolf Creek has been defined as "Powergrass with a Twang."

Powergrass is the product of Bluegrass roots which are fused with the punch and impact of a tight and powerful rhythm section, which includes electric bass and drums. The "twang" is provided via the Telecaster guitar and a love for the classic country sounds of Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. The band's name was derived from Dan Fogelberg's song "Wolf Creek," which has been performed by some of the group's biggest influences - Doc Watson, Herb Pedersen, David Grisman and Jerry Douglas.

Jason Crawford (guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals), who grew up in a musically oriented family, started playing guitar around the age of seven. He has developed his skills over the last 22 years on a wide variety of instruments. Studio work and local gigs keep him busy on banjo, mandolin, guitar, dobro, bass and harmony vocals. Jason has played in several bands including ETSU's Bluegrass Band, Leisure Tyme, BlueRidge, Ridgeline, The Larkins, Wallace Switch and Springfield Exit.

Kevin Jackson (fiddle, guitar, harmony vocals) is one of the Tri-Cities' most prolific players. In demand both live and in the studio, he has added his talent to literally hundreds of recordings and performances throughout our region. With an open invitation from many of our area's top bands, Kevin has been seen regularly on stage during the past 30 years performing.

Edward Main (electric and acoustic guitars, vocals) is a seriously talented guitar player and it shows when he takes off on his 60th Anniversary Custom Telecaster. Since he was 10-years-old, Ed has always loved a good guitar. "I started playing bluegrass when I was young and a Guild or Martin were the guitars of choice," he says. "In high school I started playing Rock and Roll and Gibson or Fender were the way to go." He adds, "the Telecaster has been my favorite guitar for a long time." Numerous bands in North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida have been fortunate to have Ed in their camp.

Simple and solid are how other musicians describe the playing of bassist Jim Price (bass guitar, harmony vocals). In his 25 years of performing, Jim has logged thousands of miles traveling with bands performing many styles of music. Prior to his term with the Reagan Boggs Band he was a member of critically acclaimed Americana act Jubal Foster. In addition to his occupation as a picker, he has developed a successful career as a recording engineer, working with acts ranging from Ralph Stanley, Doc Watson and The Oak Ridge Boys to local bluegrass supergroup Blue Highway.

Robbie Stevens (drums, percussion, harmony vocals) has a musical pedigree that combines experiences in music that range from gospel to progressive rock and most everything in between. He is a veteran performer who has traveled extensively throughout the country. He is known for tight and precise drumming, and despite being on stage with many highly talented performers, plenty of audience members will leave the show commenting "That drummer was great! Who was that?"

The members of Wolf Creek not only serve up a musical experience rich in the musical tradition of our region, but combine a wealth of experience to produce a highly entertaining show.

As always, the MOTS summer concert series is a free, outdoor, family event. Main Street is blocked off to through- traffic so the audience can bring lawn chairs and sit in front of the courthouse steps. Parking is found behind the courthouse. Restrooms are available, handicap access is available for parking and seating, local shops are open for dining and desserts and overnight accommodations are available for those who decide to stay! For more information, contact the Jonesborough Visitors Center, 753-1010.