Christmas Trees and Carols
Mountainhome Music hosts holiday show at Henson’s Chapel in Sugar Grove December 6

Country charm, Christmas trees, friendly faces, and beautiful music: these are the gifts of Christmas, Mountainhome Music style. These gifts will be shared at a special Mountainhome Music concert, Community Christmas Tree, at Historic Henson’s Chapel in the Sugar Grove community on Saturday, December 6th.

The performers will include two-time National Studio Musician of the Year in gospel music, David Johnson; former National Banjo Champion and Merlefest Guitar champion, Steve Lewis; Henderson Mandolin Champion, Scott Freeman; and Mark and Julee Weems, a vocal duo that is popular throughout the United States and Ireland. Mountainhome Music pianist, Gay Gingrich, will lead the audience in traditional Christmas carols.

David Johnson was an original inductee into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. Other inductees included the original Carter Family, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Wayne Henderson, and Dolly Parton.

“Even though David is not a household name like these other folks, he is just as well known and respected in the world of record-making. He is one of the most sought after studio musicians in the country,” said Mountainhome Music host, Joe Shannon.

Mark and Julee Weems, known collectively as Little Windows, are an Irish Blessing. Julee honed her vocal craft while living and working in Ireland. Mark grew up singing songs from his Appalachian roots. In 2005 they discovered each other and since then they have toured nationally and internationally blending Irish and Appalachian traditions. Aidar O’Hara of Irish Music Magazine said of Julee, “if I were a song, I’d want Julee to sing me.” About Mark, this same reviewer wrote, “He sings from the heart and is plainly ‘in tune’ with the tradition.

“This will be Mark and Julee’s third appearance on Mountainhome Music,” said Shannon. Last year they came to Boone to do help us with a Christmas special. Like all of their music, it was haunting and beautiful. “Their CDs get more playing time in my car than any others,” added Shannon.

To produce this concert, Mountainhome Music has teamed-up with the Watauga County Christmas Tree Association and Henson’s Chapel. Purchase your Christmas tree from a member of the Watauga County Christmas Tree Association and receive a discount on the concert ticket.

Henson’s Chapel, circa 1858, is a relatively unknown jewel in Watauga County. On the inside it is made of all native hardwoods, it was built in a theatre style, and seats over 350 people.

“It is gorgeous, and dressed in charming, yet simple Christmas finery, and will be somewhere that you may just want to sit for a while,” said Shannon.

All Mountainhome Music concerts start at 8:00. Regular tickets are $12.50 in advance and $15.00 at the door. Tickets for college and high school students are $10.00 (at the door only). Tickets may be purchased at Mast Stores, Rydell Music Center, Pandora’s Mailbox in Blowing Rock, Fred’s Mercantile on Beech Mountain, and Blue Moon Guitars in West Jefferson. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.mountainhomemusic.com.

The purpose of Mountainhome Music is to honor the music and musicians of the Appalachian region. It is affiliated with the Blue Ridge Music Trails, a project of the North Carolina Arts Council.

For more information, go to the Mountainhome Music website or call (828) 964-3392.

Directions to Henson’s Chapel Methodist Church: Take US 421/321 north out of downtown Boone. Go 5.5 miles. 321 and 421 will divide. Turn left on US 321. Go 1 mile. Turn right at Cove Creek Store onto Old 421. Go 2 miles. Henson’s Chapel is on the left.