Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

This Week in FREE Live Music

Compiled by David Brewer

Banner Elk

Banner Elk Concerts in the Park
Thursday, 6:00 p.m.
828-898-8395
July 17—Lost Ridge Boys
The Lost Ridge Boys play bluegrass and country. A band spokesman said, “We are happy to be invited back to this year’s Banner Elk Concert in the Park. We are looking forward to sharing songs from our new CD Always Home, as well as songs that you are familiar with. Make sure to come get down with the Lost Ridge Band on July 17!”

The concert is sponsored by Apple Hill Farm. Apple Hill Farm sits on top of Valle Mountain on the site of a 45-year-old apple orchard. The remaining apple trees serve as the focal point for the property that is now home to alpacas, cats, chickens, dogs, donkeys, goats, horses, llamas and miniature donkeys.

Apple Hill Farm conducts a farm tour every Saturday at 2:00 p.m. from mid-May to mid-October. The 1.5-hour guided walking tour starts at the horse barn, winding around the farm to visit the main barns and animal sheds. Tour guides will give information about the specific species and personalities of animals living on Apple Hill Farm and explain the fencing, feeding and grazing practices. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 10. Reservations are requested. Call 828-963-1662.

Beech Mountain

Fred’s Summer Sunday Concerts
Sunday, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
828-387-4838
7/20 The Cockman Family
The Cockman Family Bluegrass Gospel Group is made up of four brothers, their sister and their Dad. They sing because they believe that God has given them this talent to glorify Him.

The Cockmans have a unique bluegrass gospel style. Their harmonies, original songs and original arrangements of the old gospel songs have been immensely popular with their audiences. Fans love their family-style entertainment as well. As the family continues to grow, they are writing more of their own music and coming into a style all of their own. They love to sing and they love the Lord. Their family ties are strong, and the warmth of that is conveyed in their performances.

Boone

Jones House Concerts on the Lawn
Friday, 5:00 p.m.
828-264-1789
7/18 The King Bees
Founded in 1987 by guitarist-organist Hound Dog Baskerville and singer-songwriter/bassist Queen Bee Zamagni, The King Bees cut their teeth and honed their skills sitting in with and backing up many blues titans; Bo Diddley, Tinsley Ellis, Billy Branch, Mojo Buford, Big Jack Johnson, Sam Carr, Frank Frost, Lazy Lester and Ronnie Earl are just a few who’ve invited The King Bees to share the stage. But what has most refined and sharpened their cut-to-the-bone talent are the years spent on the road with some of the most legendary blues greats, such as Jerry McCain and Chicago Bob Nelson.

Over the many, many miles they’ve logged in the States, and in numerous European tours, they’ve proven that they can raise the roof at prestigious concert halls, such as Lincoln Center NYC, shake the stage at European festivals, and bring the crowd to their knees in a juke-joint way down South.

Valle Crucis

Valle Crucis Music in the Park
Friday, 7:00 p.m.
828-963-6511, ext. 243
7/18 Steve and Ruth Smith
Steve and Ruth Smith play a unique blend of Celtic Appalachian music. Ruth is a classically trained musician and composer who discovered in the hammered dulcimer a versatile instrument that fits her personality and blends her musical heritage and interests. Steve is a fingerstyle guitarist and Appalachian singer-songwriter who has been performing with Ruth for more than 30 years across the United States and around the world.

Todd

Todd Summer Music Series
Walter & Annie Cook Memorial Park
Saturday, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
336-877-5401
7/19 Buck Haggard Band
George Wilson formed the Buck Haggard Band in response to the need for a classic country band in the High Country. Wilson has performed since childhood, making appearances on WBTV’s Arthur Smith Show as early as 1948.

“Folks in this area wanted to hear classic country music and they weren’t getting it on the radio,” noted Wilson. “Whenever I played somewhere, folks said I should get a country band together. I started calling players I knew and we finally got this bunch together and we’ve had a great time ever since.” Wilson chose every member of the group for his musicianship. Wilson said, “I knew if I could put this band together, we’d have something. I just didn’t know there would be such a pile of it!”