Dan Tyminski Band plays on opening day of the festival. See below for a link to a slide show and audio files of the performers.
GROSECLOSE, Va. -- A world-class line-up of bluegrass and Americana bands and musicians are scheduled to appear on stage at the third annual Song of the Mountains Festival-Smyth County Celebration at the Davis Valley Winery's amphitheatre in Groseclose June 25-27. The Davis Valley Winery is just off exit 54 of Interstate 81 near Marion, Virginia.
"It is hard to say who is headlining the event," said Tim White, executive coordinator of Song of the Mountains. "Practically every band we have booked is a headliner!"
The Dan Tyminski Band will appear on Thursday, the opening day of the festival. Tyminski is the voice of George Clooney in the movie Oh Brother, Where art Thou? when Clooney sings the song Man of Constant Sorrow. Also appearing on Thursday will be local legend Wayne Henderson, the Farewell Drifters and the Carolina Travelers.
Goose Creek Symphony, along with the John Cowan Band and Lou Reid and Carolina, will take the stage on Friday. All of these bands are high-energy and have many faithful followers. Also on Friday the festival will feature Michael Reno Harrell with his distinct style of singing and songwriting, and the unique old time and bluegrass music of West Virginia's Hillbilly Gypsies.
On Saturday, the festival will help Jesse McReynolds of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry celebrate his 80th birthday. Jesse and his late brother Jim McReynolds were originally from nearby Coeburn, Va., and became members of the Grand Ole Opry in the mid 1960s. Jesse continues to perform on the Opry to this day.
To help celebrate Jesse's birthday will be the legendary 89-year-old Curly Seckler. Originally from North Carolina, Seckler performed over the years with Charlie Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, the Bailey Brothers and Jim and Jesse. Longtime friend and fellow band member Willis Spears will accompany Seckler on the show. Spears and Seckler traveled and performed together during the time Seckler took over the Nashville Grass from the late Lester Flatt. Spears and Seckler will perform their "high lonesome" tunes and will be backed during the festival by Big Country Bluegrass.
Also on Saturday the festival will include music from another living legend, Paul Williams and his band, the Victory Trio. Williams has written many songs which have became standards in the bluegrass world. He performed in the late 1950s and early '60s with the late Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys. Williams was also a member of the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers in the early 1950s. Williams and his band perform bluegrass gospel music now and are always a crowd favorite.
The Moron Brothers will offer "comedy relief" during the Saturday line-up with their unique style of music and humor. From Kentucky, the Moron Brothers have performed all over the southern United States and beyond. They blend "joke telling" with humorous songs, many of which they write themselves.
During the weekend there will be free workshops by Bill and Maggie Anderson from nearby Fancy Gap, Va. Bill is an authorized Martin Guitar repairman and will offer workshops on guitar maintenance. His wife Maggie will offer free workshops to children on proper "jam etiquette" when performing and learning to play music. The couple will also appear on stage on Saturday. The Appalachian Cultural Music Association (ACMA) is sponsoring the workshops.
The ACMA also will be sponsoring the Bluegrass Bus Museum, a hands-on interactive museum that allows children and adults to become immersed in the history of country and bluegrass music.
There will be several huge tents set up on the grounds for shade and shelter and the festival will go on rain or shine.
"Our ticket prices are very affordable!" said White. "This is a great opportunity for an entire family to take a 'day trip' and enjoy the music which was born in our region."
Daily passes are available and special rates offered for three-day passes. Children under the age of 12 are admitted free with a paying adult. Jammers and parking lot pickers are welcome and urged to attend. Pets must be kept on a leash. No coolers or outside alcohol are permitted.
Many motel and hotel accommodations are available nearby and camping is available on site.
Tickets are available at all Bank of Marion locations, the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia, the Davis Valley Winery in Groseclose, Virginia or online at www.songofthemountains.org. Tickets will also be available at the gate.
For more information call 276-783-6093 or 276-686-8855.
Song of the Mountains/The Lincoln Theatre and Smyth County Celebration are non-profit organizations.
PRE-FESTIVAL EVENTS
Leading up to the Song of the Mountains Festival-Smyth County Celebration, three towns in Smyth County will offer pre-festival festivities.
The town of Chilhowie will have a special Smyth County Jam night on June 22.
Saltville will have a special concert in town on Tuesday, June 23, and
Marion will follow with a town event on Wednesday, June 24.
Details can be found at www.songofthemountains.org.
****To see a slide show and listen to audio files click HERE . ****
