NEW LOCATION FOR 2010
Music, Arts and Crafts and Youth events will be brought back together again and will be held in the heart of downtown Abingdon at Remsburg Drive behind Fields-Penn House.
The Virginia Highlands Festival features traditional Appalachian old time and bluegrass music as well as music from around the world.
PATRONS' EVENT
OPENING WEEKEND STREET PARTY
OPENING WEEKEND CONCERTS
CELTIC WEEKEND
MONROE JAMISON MEMORIAL BLUEGRASS &
OLD TIME MUSIC WEEKEND
CLASSICAL SUNDAYS
GOSPEL AND SUMMER CHRISTIAN CONCERT
STREET DANCE WITH PHANTOM
MUSIC WORKSHOPS
The Virginia Highlands Festival features traditional Appalachian old time and Bluegrass music as well as music from around the world.
All music events will be held at the Abingdon Market Pavilion (formerly Farmer's Market Pavilion), Corner of Cummings & Remsburg Drive, behind the Fields-Penn House (unless otherwise noted).
EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
Saturday, July 24th, 8 to 11pm
Depot Square
Free Admission
Sponsored by BVU, Pop Ellis Soda Shoppe and First Bank of Virginia
Featuring Mustang Sally and Grammy Award Winner, Richard Leigh
Watch the Street Party Concerts Live here on July 24th at 8:00 p.m.Watch live video from estonoamedia on Justin.tv
Mustang Sally
Not just all across the United States, but around the world: five chicks rocking out, holding their own musically and vocally against anyone, male or female. Fun, flirty, and electrifying: it's Mustang Sally. Dynamic lead singer Tobi Lee, sweet-voiced rhythm guitarist Brenda Zitzman, fun-loving keyboard player Rachel Solomon, and crazy fiddle player Sarah Wilfong, are all held together by the rock solid beat and harmony vocals of drummer Lisa Romeo.
Among all five members of the band there is virtually every possible musical influence, including Classic Country, Blues, Jazz, Celtic, and Rock n' Roll. Each girl is talented enough in her own right to be a solo artist, and Mustang Sally blends that level of artistry into a sound that blows audiences away, playing everything from edgy country to southern rock, with the unexpected bluesy chord progression, R&B riff, or Bluegrass twang worked in so effortlessly that one wonders why the tunes haven't ever been played like this.
Richard Leigh
Grammy Award winner and Hall Of Fame songwriter, Richard Leigh is a seven-time nominee in the category of "Song The Year." In addition to winning the Grammy, he has also been awarded the prestigious Country Music Association award, the Academy of Country Music award, and the Nashville Songwriters Association's award for best song. Leigh's compositions have made fourteen trips to the Top Ten, eight of which went all the way to the #1 position. His songs include: "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" (Crystal Gayle), "Somewhere In My Broken Heart" (Billy Dean), and "The Greatest Man I Never Knew" (Reba McEntire).
Barter Theatre
Tuesday, July 20, 8:00 p.m.
Admission $15.00
Banks & Shane are genuinely thrilled to have their longtime friend, Jim Durand, join them for their Trio shows. Durand's voice and style blend perfectly with theirs and they have captured all of the energy, musicality and just pure fun of the original Kingston Trio. The entertainment is timeless and the classic songs are performed with authenticity, affection and wit. Contact the Barter Theatre Box Office for tickets, (276) 628-3991, after July 16.
Abingdon Market Pavilion
Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25
$5.00 Weekend Pass, children under 12 free
Weekend passes will be sold at the Festival Office and at the Pavilion. $5 pass is good for both Saturday and Sunday concerts. Tickets will be exchanged for a wrist band that will be good for the entire weekend of music events. Patrons with wrist bands may come and go as they wish during the weekend.
Band Bios
Houser & Co.
Saturday, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Richard Houser, vocals/guitar, and the main "Company" member, Greg Smith, guitar, have long been immersed in the local/regional music scene. Along with group credits including The Wandering Zulu Brothers, Clear, Blue Rapture, and The Reagan Boggs Band, Richard and Greg have performed as an acoustic duo under a variety of names for
10 years.
The Bearded
Saturday, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Years of pickin' on the porch turned these guys from an unkempt bunch of hobos into an unkempt bunch of musical hobos. The Bearded professes to be more than mere Bluegrass. The group uses nearly every old-timey instrument to create densely layered, twangy, unique soundscapes using dulcimer, banjo, jugs, washboards, harmonica, ukulele, jaw harp, kazoo, guitar, upright bass and percussion instruments.
Wolf Creek
Saturday, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Formed in November of 2007, Wolf Creek is the creative collaboration of five seasoned entertainers immersed in the craft of traditional and mountain music. Their music is an eclectic blend of Bluegrass, Classic Country, Blues and Rock-n-Roll. While strongly acoustic based, the music of Wolf Creek is
augmented with the punch and power of drums and electric bass, along with the twang of the Telecaster.
David & Ann Ledgerwood
Sunday, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
"He sings ‘Bob Dylan' in the shower early in the morning" and "she can carry on a conversation and sing a song at the same time" are things you might hear them say of each other. They both love to sing and they love to sing together. They seek to provide an interactive entertainment experience that provides a positive message.
Susan Brown & Friends
Sunday, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
With roots in Bluegrass, Folk, Swing, Country and Americana, this band delivers an eclectic mix of originals and covers. Songstress Susan Brown is joined by guitarist/vocalist Claiborne Woodall, bassist Dave Reimer, Joe
Dinkins on dobro, banjo, and harmonica, and Mike Brown on fiddle and mandolin. Their debut CD will be released this summer.
Wise Old River
This acoustic trio brings together a variety of influences and instruments that blend tradition with originality. The group features vocalist/guitarist Jamen Denton. Jeanne Denton provides well crafted harmony vocals while Jim Denton adds lap steel, 12 string slide guitar, and bouzouki to the mix. Their sound has been described as "Eclectic-Americana with an original twist."
Jimmy Fleenor & the Highlands All Stars
This wonderful group of local Jazz musicians have been entertaining Festival-goers for many, many years, and we are extremely pleased to have them with us again! In 2006 Fleenor was honored at the Highlands Jazz Festival for his contributions to this truly American art form.
Abingdon Market Pavilion
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, July 30, 31 & August 1
5.00 Daily Admission — $10 for a 3-Day Pass
Children 12 and under admitted free.
Three Days of Firey jigs and reels, haunting airs and ballads, Goodies from the House of Douglas Scottish Bakery. . . . all this and more!
Sponsored by:
BurWil Construction Company, Bank of Marion and
Farris Funeral Home
Daily and three day passes will be sold at the Festival office or at the gate. Passes will be exchanged at the Pavilion for a wrist band that will be good for 1 or for 3 days of music. Patrons with wrist bands may come and go as they wish.
10th Anniversary Celtic Weekend Kick-Off Concert Friday Night!
Concert starts at 6:30 with Uncle Hamish and the Hooligans
followed by Enter the Haggis
Admission $5, (Included with a 3-Day Pass)
Enter the Haggis
Friday 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Toronto's Celtic rock band Enter The Haggis has found itself at the center of a grassroots success story. From playing Celtic festivals to headlining them, and from the festival circuit to selling out multiple nights in rock venues, ETH has blazed a path with heavy and almost constant touring up and down the East Coast, to Canada, the West Coast and back again, winning over success one fan, one town, one region at a time. Alternating between upbeat Rock numbers with sing-along choruses and slower, more introspective alt Pop songs, the band plays progressive and lyrically driven music that's strongly rooted in Celtic tradition – from the storytelling to the bagpipes. Visit www.enterthehaggis.com.
Uncle Hamish and The Hooligans
Friday, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 1, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Uncle Hamish and the Hooligans are a five-member Celtic Rock band from and around the mountains of Western North Carolina. Influenced by such ground-breaking bands as Seven Nations and Enter the Haggis, they set out to play Celtic music that also included their personal tastes. In their music, you're likely to hear influences that range from Toto to Genesis and all points in between. Once you experience Uncle Hamish and the Hooligans live, you'll quickly understand why they have become the hardest working band in the Celtic Rock scene. For more information www.unclehamishandthehooligans.com.
New for 2010!
Free Admission
Music in Kiwanis Park
Saturday, July 31
- 10:00-10:30 -- Appalachian Highlanders
- 10:30-11:00 -- Cast in Bronze
- 11:00-11:30 -- Drums and Drones
- 11:30-12:00 -- Appalachian Highlanders
- 12:00-12:30 -- Cast in Bronze
- 12:30-1:00 -- Drums and Drones
- 1:00-1:30 -- Appalachian Highlanders
- 1:30-2:00 -- Cast in Bronze
- 3:00-3:30 -- Drums and Drones
- 4:30-5:00 -- Cast in Bronze
- 6:00-6:30 -- Drums and Drones
- 7:30-8:00 -- Cast in Bronze
Sunday, August 1
- 12:30-1:00 -- Cast in Bronze
- 2:00-2:30 -- Drums and Drones
- 3:30-4:00 -- Cast in Bronze
- 5:00-5:30 -- Drums and Drones
- 6:30-7:00 -- Cast in Bronze
- 7:30-8:00 -- Cast in Bronze
Celtic Band Bios
Tinsmith
Saturday, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.,
Sunday from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Tinsmith is a high-energy folk band playing traditional music of Ireland, Scotland and Appalachia. Citing influences from Blues to Bluegrass, from Funk to Jazz to Mountain Music, they bring traditional songs and tunes
into the new century. Known for their fun and energetic performances and for the taste and delicacy of their arrangements, Tinsmith has been making audiences dance since 1997. For more information visit www.tinsmith.net.
Rathkeltair
Saturday, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Rathkeltair (pronounce rath-KELT-ur) is one of North America's premier Celtic Rock bands. Based in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and touring internationally since 2003, Rathkeltair delivers one of the most energetic, entertaining, audience-friendly shows you will see anywhere. Bringing together three formidable multi-instrumentalists from England, Ireland, and America, Rathkeltair is essentially a power trio. They will often bring along one or two guest musicians usually a bass guitarist and occasionally a fiddler. For more visit
www.rathkeltair.com.
Coyote Run
Saturday 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.,
Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Within a sweeping soundscape, Coyote Run engages the audience in story after story, whisking them away to celebrate the ancient Celtic springtime holiday of Beltane (Mayday), march side by side with the Scottish honor guard of Joan of Arc, roll out the guns against Sir Francis Drake, snatch back a faerie abductee, or defy the universe with the bold words of Invictus (the Unconquered). The stories are rich and compelling, the melodies are memorable and at once manage to be both familiar and original. Tight harmonies and soaring vocals telling tales from legend, history and myth are the hallmark of this band. Bagpipes, guitars, accordion, whistles, didgeridoo, electric bass, killer drums, and much more greet the audience at a Coyote Run concert. For more information visit www.coyoterun.com.
The Appalachian Highlanders Pipes & Drums
Kiwanis Park, Saturday
Free Admission
Bringing together people from all over Southwestern VA, Northeast TN and Southeast WV who share a common love of the stirring sounds of the Great Highlands Bagpipe. Ranging in age from 17 to 70, the members
disprove the old adage about old dogs and new tricks. Most of their members took up the pipes or drums late in life.
Cast in Bronze
Kiwanis Park
Saturday and Sunday
Free Admission
Imagine that you play a musical instrument so rare that no one knows it exists. Imagine further that this instrument weighs several tons, making it next to impossible to perform indoors. To complicate matters, imagine that you have combined this unknown, very large instrument with other musical instruments, thereby creating a completely new sound and musical style never before experienced. Visit www.castinbronze.com.
Drums and Drones
Kiwanis Park
Saturday and Sunday
Free Admission
Tour the entire Celtic music world with a Drums and Drones performance. Percussion specialist Jason Dulin and multi-instrumentalist John Trexler form a dynamic duo which features music from the Celtic world and beyond.
Saturday & Sunday, August 7-8
$5.00 weekend pass
Children 12 and under free
Tickets available at the Festival Office
Two days of great music with different performances each day
From hot young ‘grassers to old-time dance bands, traditional Bluegrass to contemporary roots music, the Monroe Jamison Bluegrass & Old Time Music Weekend offers musical selections sure to please fans across a broad spectrum in the music we know and love as Bluegrass.
In a departure from our usual format, Saturday's lineup features afternoon sets by two bands followed by a full-length evening concert.
Time was when Monroe Jamison was a fixture in Abingdon's Bluegrass music scene. Jamison, a full-time lawyer and, when possible, Bluegrass picker, originated the festival's Bluegrass & Old Time Music Weekend and served as its host until his death. When he died in July 2007, at the much too young age of 52, the festival renamed the event in his honor.
Bands will have CDs and other merchandise available for sale after the shows, so come prepared to take some of this great music home!
Tickets available both in advance from the Festival Office, 276-623-5266, and at the door. For more information contact Daveena Sexton, daveenasexton@earthlink.net or 276-608-3241.
Schedule:
Saturday, August 7
- 2:00 - 2:45 -- Lonesome Will Mullins and the Virginia Playboys
- 3:00 - 3:45 -- The Kelley Nelson Band
- 4:00 - 4:45 -- Lonesome Will Mullins and the Virginia Playboys
- 5:00 - 5:45 -- The Kelley Nelson Band
- 6:00 - 8:00 -- The Dixie Bee-Liners (with intermission)
Sunday, August 8
- 1:00 - 1:45 -- Mountain Park Old Time Band
- 2:00 - 2:45 -- The Corklickers
- 3:00 - 3:45 -- Mountain Park Old Time Band
- 4:00 - 4:45 -- The Corklickers
Band Bios
Lonesome Will Mullins and the Virginia Playboys
Lonesome Will Mullins and the Virginia Playboys have performed their traditional style of Bluegrass all over the East Coast and into Canada, with performances at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and most of the major Bluegrass festivals east of the Mississippi. The band's music is a lively mix of hard-driving Bluegrass, lonesome ballads, gospel songs, clawhammer banjo, and nearly every instrument and singing harmony. Band members include Lonesome Will Mullins, lead vocals, guitar; Duran Dutton, vocals, mandolin; Robbie Norris, fiddle; Tom Issacs, vocals, banjo; Chris "Slick" Mullins, bass; Junior Blankenship, vocals, lead guitar; Lizzy Long, vocals, fiddle, and featuring (from time to time) Little Roy Lewis, vocals, banjo, guitar, autoharp, comedies.
The Dixie Bee-Liners
The Dixie Bee-Liners quickly garnered praise for their groundbreaking album "RIPE," which dazzled critics and fans alike and earned the band four #1s on the Bluegrass charts in 2008. Later that year, The Bee-Liners were named Roots Music Associations' Bluegrass Artist of the Year, plucked from among such luminaries as Alison Krauss and Merle Haggard, who shared the nomination. Building on the tremendous success of their 2008 chart-topper, The Bee-Liners blaze a bold new trail with their newest release, "Susanville" — a concept album that takes listeners on a musical road trip along America's highways and byways via their signature blend of hooks and harmonies.
Corklickers
Together since 1976, The Corklickers features Brian Yerman on guitar, Gil Adams, fiddle, Rick Palmer, fiddle, Mark Adams, claw-hammer banjo, vocals, and Rick Moore, bass. This old time string band from the mountains of North Carolina has performed at the Carter Fold, Chicago Folk Festival, Kent State, and Brandywine Music Festival, to name a few stops. Their CD, "Uncorked," dubbed "pure enjoyment" by one reviewer, features dance tunes from the 1920s and '30s. For more information visit www.corklickers.com.
The Kelley Nelson Band
Born and raised in Southwestern Virginia — in the heart of Bluegrass country — Kelley Nelson grew up listening to the sounds of traditional country music and was also introduced to Bluegrass at a young age by her grandfather, who often took her to see performances at The Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, on Saturday nights. Kelley discovered another musical passion in 2006 when she tried her hand at songwriting and she will be including five of her original tunes on her upcoming album. Band members include Tim Mullins with his rhythm guitar that is among the best in the business, Matt Cruby's multi-instrumental talents, Jordan Blevins on fiddle, Alex Hibbitts' fine harmony vocals and extraordinary mandolin solos and Daniel Salyer's phenomenal lead vocals that will capture any audience. For more information visit www.kelleynelsonband.com.
Mountain Park Old Time Band
The Mountain Park Old Time Band has been together for three years and consists of Johnny Gentry on guitar, dobro, vocals and fiddle, Nancy Gentry, bass vocals, Roger Stamper, fiddle; C.T. Janney, washboard; and Abingdon's own Mark Handy, MD, banjo and vocals. A favorite at local and regional square dances, the band has also opened for the Carolina Chocolate Drops at the Blue Ridge Music Center, appeared at Bristol's Rhythm & Roots in 2009, and performed with the super group Big Country Bluegrass at the Mountain Music Jamboree. The band has two CDs, 2008's "Fire On the Dance Floor," and their 2009 release, "Dancing With Sally Goodin". You can visit their blog at blogs.myspace.com/mtnparkoldetimeband.
Depot Square
Free Admission
Rain Location: Washington County Fairgrounds
Depot Square will rock on Friday, August 6 starting at 9:00 p.m. After a full day of shopping and sightseeing, what better way to kick back and relax than with your favorite sounds from the Beach? "Dancin' in the Streets" evokes a ‘60s era feeling of "good ole days" fun, peace, love and rock ‘n roll in a laid-back atmosphere. That's just what happens when Baby Boomers come out with their lawn chairs and diet drinks. Phantom is a local band with an upscale Deadhead-type following that includes plenty of Generation X-ers.
Admission $5.00 for each concert
Larissa Venzi
Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church
Sunday, August 1, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Larissa Venzi is the epitome of the new young marimba performers bursting onto the modern stage. Larissa is recognized for her unique and spell-binding musical interpretation, which shines in her performances.
Rebecca Lile Paluzzi
Abingdon United Methodist Church
Sunday, August 8, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Rebecca Lile Paluzzi is Professor of Flute and Director of the Suzuki Studies Program at East Tennessee State University and Principal Flutist in the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra. She is also a member of the Symphony of the Mountains.
Matthew Frederick
Abingdon United Methodist Church
Sunday, July 24, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Matthew Frederick is currently the Associate Professor of Trumpet and Director of Instrumental Studies at Emory & Henry College. Dr. Frederick performs with the Symphony of the Mountains and has performed as Principal Trumpet of the Johnson City Symphony, first trumpet player at The Barter Theatre, and is an active lecturer on Civil War Brass Bands, as well as serving as a clinician for school music programs.
Robert Jeter will also perform with Matthew Frederick. Robert is an Adjunct Professor of Music Theory at East Tennessee State University, where he has also served as accompanist, coach, music arranger, and opera conductor.
Gospel Concerts
SVHEC Grand Hall, I-81 Exit 14
Thursday July, 29, 7:00 to 10:30 p.m.
$10.00 payable at the door, under 12 is free
The Hayes Family
The Hayes Family has many different musical styles, including old convention songs, typical Southern Gospel style using the fine accompaniment of their own soundtracks with piano and bass, or an instrumental by the children, and even old hymns of the church. They are a fresh package of Southern Gospel music — family style.
Primitive Quartet
The Primitive Quartet has been traveling and singing Gospel music over thirty-six years, and count it a joy and privilege to spread the gospel through song. Their music is the traditional mountain shape note style singing accompanied by acoustical instruments including the mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitars and acoustic bass.
Summer Christian Concert
Highlands Fellowship
Friday, July 30, 7:30 p.m.
$12.00 payable only at the door
DecembeRadio
Ask anyone who has ever been to a DecembeRadio show to describe the experience and you'll get an enthusiastic barrage of comments about the band's blistering stage show, an adrenaline-fueled rock spectacle that leaves audiences nearly breathless.
VOTA
VOTA's debut single "Hard to Believe" was in the Top 10 of the R&R CHR radio charts and has been in the Top 30 for 13 weeks. In January 2006, VOTA founded The 180 Tour, a high school assembly program designed to encourage students in their character and decision making.
Watauga Chapel Gospel Singing
Sundays, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Green Spring Presbyterian Church
- July 25: Joyful Noise
- August 1: Eddie Shelton & Christi
- August 8: Duty Free
Old-Time Banjo Workshop
Capo's Music Store, 903 East Main Street
Sunday, August 1, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Presented by Emily and Martin Spencer
Emily and Martin Spencer, from the Whitetop Mountain Band, will do an overview workshop and playing demonstration for old-time banjo. For more information contact Amy Ball Braswell at 246-525-1880 or caposmusicstore@gmail.com.
Traditional Mountain Music Workshop
Jubilee House Retreat Center, 822 E. Main St.
Thursday, August 5, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Admission $15.00 at the door
Featuring Rhody Jane Meadows
Rhody Jane Meadows returns for this hands-on workshop, involving audience participation, using a variety of traditional mountain musical instruments such as spoons, bones, gourd shakers, washboard, genuine washtub bass and other instruments. Rhody Jane has a master's degree in Appalachian Studies which she previously taught at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. She is currently Activities Director at John M. Reed Home, Limestone, NC. For more information contact Gerry Murphy at 276-619-0919.
Introduction to Traditional Appalachian Instruments
Capo's Music Store, 903 East Main Street
Wednesday, July 28, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Presented by Gill Braswell and others
Capo's staff and local instrument makers and luthiers will give an introduction to traditional Appalachian instruments including the dulcimer, banjo, fiddle, guitar, psaltery, bones, spoons and more. Attendees will get an opportunity to examine the instruments, learn about their history, and hear them being played. For more information contact Amy Ball Braswell at 246-525-1880 or caposmusicstore@gmail.com.
From Page to Stage: Bringing Music to Life Through Theater
Capo's Music Store, 903 East Main Street
Monday, August 2nd, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Presented by Dr. Doug Pote and Gill Braswell
What does it take to bring musical legends to life on stage? In this lecture and discussion, playwright Doug Pote and actor/musician Gill Braswell will talk about the processes involved in bringing the stories of The Carter Family, the Stanley Brothers and Jimmy Rodgers to life on stage. This lecture will include music and songs from the shows. For more information contact Amy Ball Braswell at 246-525-1880 or email her at caposmusicstore@gmail.com.
Capo's Acoustic Music Jam
Capo's Music Store Saturday
July 24, 31 and August 7, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Presented by Gill Braswell with various performers
Each week regional musicians gather at Capo's Music Store for an acoustic jam session. This weekly event will occur three times during the Virginia Highlands Festival. Musicians of all abilities are invited to attend. If you don't play, that's okay, just come and listen to some great acoustic music. Refreshments are provided.
A Night with Ed Young
Capo's Music Store 903 East Main Street
Sunday, July 25, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Performance by Ed Young
Local singer, songwriter and artist Edward Young will perform selections from his CD "Old Scratchy Records" and talk about his artistic process as a singer songwriter and as an artist. Select prints will also be on display in our entrance gallery for the performance.
Singer/Songwriter Night
Featuring Five Local Singer Songwriters
Capo's Music Store, 903 East Main Street
Friday, July, 30, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Five local singer/songwriters will perform select original works and talk about their writing process and inspirations for their songs. For more information contact Amy Ball Braswell at 246-525-1880 or caposmusicstore@gmail.com.
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