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Rock Out with Celtic Music Friday, Saturday Nights at Grandfather Mtn Highland Games

By Jessica Isaacs | jessica@highcountrypress.com

The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games are back this weekend, and you know what that means — so, too, are the favored Celtic Rock and Celtic Jam concerts that have become more and more popular over the years.

On Friday night, the 61st annual games will bring back the Orlando-based five-piece rock group Seven Nations, whose truly unique sound combines “guitar and vocal elements of American pop and rock with Highland bagpipes and fiddle” for “a high-energy performance that has fans jumping out of their seats.”

The Friday night Celtic Rock show with Seven Nations and other groups will take place from 6:30-11 p.m. at MacRae Meadows on the infield inside the main entrance and will be free for those already attending the games during the day.

Friday Night Celtic Rock Lineup:

  • 6:30-7 p.m. Piper Jones Band
  • 7:15-8 p.m. Syr
  • 8:15-8:45 p.m. Freestylers of Piping
  • 9-10:30 p.m. Seven Nations

“We offer the $20 ticket on Friday if you come for the day, and that includes the rock concert for free,” said Thomas Taylor, Jr., one of two assistant general managers for the GMHG. “It’s a way for us to promote the concerts. It’s so popular, we just left it as an incentive to come and see the show.”

The Celtic Rock show with Seven Nations has become a weekend favorite among the multitude of campers who say on the mountain for the entirety of the games.

“I think a lot of our campers really look forward to that,” Taylor said.

The tunes will continue on Saturday night with the Celtic Jam. Another variety of top-quality musicians will show us how beautiful Celtic music can be and give us a closer look at this fascinating cultural heritage.

The Celtic Jam will take place in the same location as Friday night’s concert and admission will be $15 for adults and $5 for ages 5-12.

“Saturday night’s music is less contemporary and more traditional,” said Taylor. “We have some really great musicians lined up. World-class musicians.”

Saturday Night Celtic Jam Lineup:

  • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Miller, Chambless, Muse and Taylor
  • 7:40-8 p.m. Seng and Cunningham
  • 8-8:30 p.m. Piper Jam
  • 8:45 p.m. Brian McNeill and the GMHG House Jam

Remember:

Chieftain Patrons of the games have reserved parking for all events on the mountain. Other patrons and guests should remember that parking is not guaranteed on Saturday night, where spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early if you want to park on the meadow!

Shuttle buses will not run on Friday or Saturday nights.

Click here for all the details you’ll need if you’re planning to attend the games this year.

To learn more, visit gmhg.org.

Photos from Seven Nations at the Celtic Rock show at GMHG 2015 by Rob Randall:

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