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Mountain Home Music Memorial Day Concert Sunday, First Concert Without Shannon in MHM 20-Year History

A prior Mountain Home Music performance. Photo by Lonnie Webster-
A prior Mountain Home Music performance. Photo by Lonnie Webster-

May 22, 2014. For the first time since the inception of Mountain Home Music series 20 years ago, founder Joe Shannon, who died from cancer last week, won’t be present for a Mountain Home Music concert.

The 2014 series kicks off on Sunday, May 25, with a musical celebration for Memorial Day Weekend at Boone United Methodist Church. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Music for the evening will be classic country and patriotic. Featured is David Johnson, a familiar face and great friend of Mountain Home Music. David has won many honors, including National Studio Musician of the year in the field of gospel music.  Also, he was in the inaugural class of the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame in the company of Doc Watson and the Carter Family.

Classic Country and Patriotic Music Featured in Mountain Home Music’s Memorial Day Concert Sunday

Joining David will be his longtime friends whom he calls “The Studio Band.” They are Tracy Davis (bass), Danny Crawford (piano), Richard Putnam (piano), and Rick Murray (drums). In a typical work week these gifted musicians play in recording studios making other more publicly known musicians sound good.  Some of the “others” they play with include Tony Rice, Arthur Smith, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, and Kathy Mattea.   Several years ago Joe Shannon asked David to get this group together for a Mountain Home Music concert.  (They don’t play regular gigs.)   They delighted the audience with their music, and had a great time themselves, so fortunately they now enjoy return engagements.

A special segment of the Memorial Day Concert will consist of patriotic songs, dedicated to veterans and to the memory of those who gave their all in service to our country.  Audiences from past years will recall the very moving military salute to the branches of the United States Armed Forces and those who served.

Shannon - Photo by Lonnie Webster
Shannon – Photo by Lonnie Webster

It was 21 years ago that Joe Shannon funded Mountain Home Music. Joe’s death on May 14 has greatly saddened the Mountain Home Music community.   Before his death Joe guided the board of Mountain Home Music in planning for the continuation of this concert series which celebrates Appalachian culture, honoring traditional music, story and dance.

Rodney Sutton, a prominent and highly respected representative of the music and dance traditions of North Carolina will come on board as the organizational leader and host.

Rodney commented, “I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know the JSMHM fans through this exciting 2014 season as we carry on Joe’s calling to preserve traditional music .”

Tickets are $20.00 in advance and $ 22.00 at the door.  Student tickets are $11.00.  Children 12 and under are free.   Prices include the new NC state tax.    Advance tickets may be purchased online though the Mountain Home Music website.     www.mountainhomemusic.com

Tickets may also be purchased at the Mast Store (Boone and Valle Crucis), Fred’s Mercantile on Beech Mountain, Kudzu Music in Boone, and at Pandora’s Mailbox and the Dulcimer Shop, both in the Martin House on Main Street, downtown Blowing  Rock.

For more information, you may go to the website or call 828-964-3392.

The second concert of this season will be May 31 at St Luke’s Church, Boone.  The featured band is North Sea Gas, a lively group of folk musicians from Scotland.