Backstep, Donald Clifton & The Country Boys
Venue: Blue Ridge Music Center, Galax
Date: Saturday, August 23, 2014
Time: 7:00 - 10:00 PM
Event Types: Music
Cost: $7.00
Description:
The Blue Ridge Music Center presents Across the Blue Ridge Two Musical Families: Backstep and Donald Clifton & The Country Boys hosted by Paul Brown & Terri McMurray on Saturday, August 23rd.

Paul Brown learned his first songs and tunes as a kid from his mother, who picked them up from older African-American musicians in Piedmont Virginia in the 1920s. He was hooked, and spent years collecting and documenting traditional music in southwest Virginia and in the stunningly rich Round Peak region around Mount Airy, North Carolina. As a performer, a record producer, and a radio host—formerly of Mount Airy's famous hometown station, WPAQ, and ultimately reaching a national audience as a newscaster and reporter for National Public Radio—Paul Brown has introduced millions to the special world of Appalachian music, and helped to ensure its preservation and vitality for future generations.

For more information visit: http://www.brownpaul.net

Terri McMurray moved to North Carolina in 1982 to be near some of the great old time fiddle and banjo players and spent a lot of time learning banjo from Tommy Jarrell and Dix Freeman.

For more information visit:
http://www.mostlymountainboys.com/Terri_McMurray.html

Backstep performs old-time stringband music in the "Round Peak Style" native to Mount Airy, North Carolina. Known for its driving rhythms and prominent melodies, Round Peak music is just the thing to make you kick up your heels and dance. The band won first place old-time band at the Mount Airy Fiddler's Convention in 2006. In 2004, Backstep won first prize at both the Fiddler's Grove fiddler's convention and the Mount Airy Fiddler's Convention. The band was featured on Mike Seeger's Old-time Banjo Styles instructional video featuring Kirk Sutphin on banjo.

Donald Clifton was born and raised in Surry County where he was exposed to traditional music and dance as a young boy. Donald's aunt played the guitar, and she showed him some chords to help him get started. After that, Donald listened to records and learned to play by ear. Donald stuck with the guitar for a few years, but he also became interested in playing the bass fiddle. He got a bass from his wife's uncle and, with some help from a neighbor, worked at it until he learned to play.

Tickets will be available for purchase the night of the show at the Music Center amphitheater admission gates beginning at 5:45 pm.

Concert Notes:
-Children under 12 Free
-Patrons are encouraged to bring a lawn chair
-You are welcome to bring your own picnic basket (NO ALCOHOL please!)
-Free Parking
-Rain or Shine
-The Galax Smokehouse serving BBQ, sides and drinks at each concert

For more information, visit: http://www.blueridgemusiccenter.org/ or call 866-308-2773 at extension 213.