MHM presents Bluegrass & Brass July 4

A World War II veteran who was in the last stages of Alzheimer’s was taken by his family to a patriotic

concert on the Fourth of July in 1998. 

A part of this concert was recognition of veterans: They were invited to stand when their service anthem was played. This particular veteran, at this time in his life, no longer knew the names of his family; in fact, he no longer knew his own name. 

However, when he heard “Off We Go into the Wild Blue Yonder,” the Air Force anthem, of his own volition, he stood, and he remained standing until it was finished. He sat down at the appropriate time. This veteran died in 1999. He was the father of Mountain Home Music host and founder Joe Shannon.

That same year, a special concert to honor veterans was added to the Mountain Home Music line-up. This concert, Bluegrass and Brass, has become an annual Mountain Home Music extravaganza.

“Bluegrass and Brass combines a bluegrass band with a five-piece brass ensemble,” Shannon said.  “It’s sort of like Preservation Hall Dixieland, plus a five string banjo fiddle and mandolin.” 

Trombonist Harold McKinney and trumpeter Bill Jones led the Mountain Home Brass Ensemble. Trombonist Joe Brown, trumpeter and bagpiper Sarah Storm, and tuba player Chris Watson round out the ensemble.   The bluegrass band, The Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys, include former national studio musician of the year, David Johnson; former national banjo champion, Steve Lewis, and former Henderson Festival mandolin champion, Scott Freeman.

In addition to the service anthems, patrons will be treated to “It’s a Grand Old Flag,” “America the Beautiful,” “Man of Constant Sorrow,” “This Little Light of Mine,” “Moon Over Bourbon Street,” “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” and many more songs.

The concert will take place on Saturday, July 4, at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium (originally scheduled for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church).  Starting time is 8 p.m.  Tickets are $12.50 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets for college and high school students are $10 (at the door only). Tickets may be purchased at Mast Stores, Rydell Music Center, Pandora’s Mailbox in Blowing Rock, and Fred’s Mercantile on Beech Mountain. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.mountainhomemusic.com.

The purpose of Mountain Home 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, visit the Mountain Home Music Web site or call (828) 964-3392.