Stevie Barr & the Mastertones, The Slate Mountain Ramblers
Venue: Blue Ridge Music Center, Galax
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2014
Time: 7:00 - 10:00 PM
Event Types: Music
Cost: $7.00
Description:
The Blue Ridge Music Center presents Stevie Barr and the Mastertones and Slate Mountain Ramblers
on Saturday, September 6th.

A fine bluegrass banjo player, Stevie Barr was born in 1975 in Galax, VA, in the very heart of old-time string band country. The son of Rebecca and Thomas Barr, he grew up in a family dedicated to making music, and was playing banjo by the age of four. Thomas, a fiddle maker, owned and operated Tom Barr's Fiddle Shop in Galax, a gathering spot for bluegrass and old-time musicians the world over, and Stevie literally grew up in the shop, taking it all in and becoming a fine player in his own right.

He made his first recording, a cassette of bluegrass banjo classics, in 1986. He formed the bluegrass group No Speed Limit with Jacob Elleron bass and vocalist Amber Collins (who was only 16 when the band first came together), who were eventually joined by Josh Picket guitar and Ryan Blevins on mandolin. Barr has also released two solo albums, Then and Now Bluegrass Banjo and Along the Crooked Road, which appeared on Arhoolie Records in 2007.

For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/260413597472538/?ref=22

The Slate Mountain Ramblers, featuring fiddler Richard Bowman, have long been a staple both at fiddler's conventions and dances in the NW North Carolina and SW Virginia area. They are one of the finest family stringbands of the Blue Ridge. Fueled by Richard's energetic fiddling, and backed up by daughter Marcia's rock-solid, clawhammer banjo and wife Barbara's driving bass, the Slate Mountain Ramblers provide the perfect elements for a square dance; good rhythm and great old-time tunes.

The band was formed 29 years ago around the time Marsha was born. For the last 20 years, the current lineup has centered around the family with additional musical support from guitarist, Ted Ashe. In addition, to being fine musicians and winning numerous ribbons as an old-time band, Marcia and Barbara have won many dance contests with their flatfooting and clogging. The Slate Mountain Ramblers have performed in England, Austria, and across the US but they are best known as a mainstay of the dance and festival culture locally here within the region.

For more information, visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je8GbZpFmio

Concert Notes:
-Tickets will be available for purchase the night of the show at the Music Center amphitheater admission gates beginning at 5:45 pm.
-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/index.htm