Mountain Home Music Hosts Annual Bluegrass & Brass Show Saturday

The Mountain Home Music series will host its annual Bluegrass & Brass show this Saturday, July 4, at the Blowing Rock School auditorium. The show starts at 8:00 p.m.

This Saturday, July 4, the Mountain Home Music Series presents its annual Bluegrass & Brass show at the Blowing Rock School auditorium. The show will start at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are $12.50 in advance and $15 at the door for adults. Tickets for college and high school students are $10 at the door only. Purchase tickets at Mast General Store locations, Rydell Music Center, Pandora’s Mailbox in Blowing Rock, Fred’s Mercantile on Beech Mountain or online by clicking to www.MountainHomeMusic.com.

On July 4, 1998, a World War II veteran who was in the last stages of Alzheimer’s was taken by his family to a patriotic concert. 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 and sat down at the appropriate time. The veteran passed away 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 & Brass, has become an annual Mountain Home Music extravaganza.

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

Trombonist Harold McKinney and trumpeter Bill Jones lead the Mountain Home Brass Ensemble. Trombonist Joe Brown, trumpeter and bagpipe player 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.

Mountain Home Music is a concert series dedicated to honoring the music and musicians of the Appalachian Region and is affiliated with the Blue Ridge Music Trails, a project of the North Carolina Arts Council.

For more information on Saturday’s show, call 828-964-3392 or click to www.MountainHomeMusic.com.

Want To Go?

Date: Saturday, July 4
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Blowing Rock School auditorium
Cost: $12.50 in advance/$15 at the door/$10 for students at the door