| Date: | August 10, 2022 |
| Time: | 7:00 - 9:00 PM |
| Venue: | Market Square Park |
| Organizations: | Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small, Town of Blacksburg |
| Description: |
The Town of Blacksburg continues their 2022 Market Square Jam with host band Andrew Small and Ashlee Watkins on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at Market Square Park in downtown Blacksburg, VA. Catering to traditional old time music, the Market Square Jam brings local and regional musicians together to pick a tune, enjoy fun times with their friends and family, and take in all that downtown Blacksburg has to offer. Ashlee Watkins and Andrew Small are an old-time country and husband and wife duo performing both traditional and original repertoire on fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar with powerful two-part harmonies. Born and raised in eastern North Carolina, Andrew Small is a multi-instrumentalist and singer who has performed with artists ranging from Sierra Hull and Mandolin Orange to the North Carolina Symphony. He now resides in Floyd, VA where he serves as Coordinator of the Handmade Music School and also tours with the group Bill and the Belles. Andrew has won numerous blue ribbons from fiddlers’ conventions around the Southeast for his old-time fiddling and in 2015 was named the Bluegrass Mandolin Champion of Australia. He holds a master’s degree in music performance from Yale University. Ashlee Watkins is a singer and multi-instrumentalist originally from Newcastle, NSW. Described by fiddler Bob Herring as having “it”, her powerfully unadorned vocals possess a timeless quality that evokes an uncommon emotional poignance. She has been awarded a number of blue ribbons from fiddlers’ conventions around the southeast for her folk singing and old-time banjo playing, and her band the New Macedon Rangers has been awarded blue ribbons in both old-time and bluegrass band categories. Now making her home in Floyd, Virginia, Ashlee also performs as a member of Jackson Cunningham’s string band Nobody’s Business. The duo was formerly known as The New Macedon Rangers. Links: • https://www.facebook.com/ashleeandandrew • https://soundcloud.com/newmacedonrangers Market Square Jams are led by a host band. Host bands are just what they seem, a group of musicians committed to leading the jam on a particular evening. Host bands are given a stipend and are welcome to take additional donations from the crowd. The key is hospitality. In partnership with the town, the host band is responsible for creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere for all participants and attendees. Hosts are encouraged to interact with the crowd and share stories that would further awareness of this long-standing tradition. Blacksburg’s Market Square Jam is an official Crooked Road affiliated venue that provides fun and entertainment on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 PM, June through September. If you’re a musician or just interested in learning, come on out to the Jam and play with the best. Or, if you’re just looking for a place to kick back on a Wednesday night, bring a chair or a blanket and join us at the park. Note: Minimal bench seating is available in the park. Musicians and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs. In the event of minor inclement weather, the Market Square Jam will go on as usual. However, should the weather be significantly disruptive, the host band may decide whether or not they wish to host that evening. Musicians are always welcome to play under the shelter and are encouraged to come out and jam, even in the absence of a host. For more information, visit: http://www.blacksburg.gov/marketsquarejam or https://www.facebook.com/BlacksburgJams. |