An Appalachian Christmas Concert
Mountainhome Music closes 2008 season with free concert this Saturday

Mountainhome Music’s annual end of the year celebration, An Appalachian Christmas, will be Saturday, December 13th at Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Boone.

“We close our season every year at Grace Lutheran with a free concert to give back to the community in appreciation of their support,” said Joe Shannon, Mountainhome Music host. “No admission is charged but a collection is taken and all proceeds go to Santa’s Toy Box and The Hospitality House.”

Starting time is 8 p.m.

Performers who have been on Mountainhome Music throughout the year are invited back for this special concert, and all donate their time and talents. This year’s line-up includes, Steve and Ruth Smith, The Forget-Me-Nots, The Blue Ridge Vocal Ensemble, Steve Lewis and Scott Freeman, Harold and Cathy McKinney, and Gay Gingrich.

Steve and Ruth Smith feature hammer dulcimer and mountain ballads. The Forget-Me-Nots are a trio of young fiddlers who play Celtic, traditional Appalachian, and classical music. The Blue Ridge Vocal Ensemble is an a cappella vocal group, that includes Laurie Nicholson, Evalyn Sudderth, Will Winkler, and Billy Ralph Winkler. They first formed for Joe Shannon’s play, Blue Ridge Blue and Gray.

Steve Lewis is a former National Banjo Champion and Merlefest guitar champion and Scott Freeman is a Henderson Festival Mandolin champion. Both are members of the Mountainhome Bluegrass Boys. Trombonist Harold McKinney and pianist Cathy McKinney are a part of Mountainhome Music’s annual Bluegrass and Brass show.

Gay Gingrich is MHM weekly sing-a-long leader, and Joe Shannon narrates each concert and often uses his music to tell a story.

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.