1000 x 90

Dixie Dawn To Perform ‘Songs of Working Man, Woman’ During Labor Day Show Sept. 2

Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music invites you to a rousing Labor Day Weekend Celebration, “Songs of the Working Man and Woman,” featuring Dixie Dawn. The concert will take place this Saturday night, Sept. 2, at the Harvest House Performing Arts Venue in Boone, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Dixie Dawn is a JSMHM audience favorite and they have played as a part of the Mountain Home Music series many times over the past two decades. They always pick a theme for their JSMHM shows and this year’s concert is dedicated to the working people of our country who perform the hard labor type jobs that keeps our nation running strong.

David Johnson, the front-man for Dixie Dawn, put it this way – “The songs for this show will highlight the lives and livelihoods of American laborers such as truck drivers, mill workers, railroad hands, cowboys, construction people, miners, farmers and others.”  “Dixie Dawn will bring their country band style to such tunes as Amarillo By Morning, Big Boss Man, Milltown, Farmers Blues, 16 Tons, California Cotton Fields, 18 Wheels and a Dozen Roses, and many others”, Johnson added.

Not just some run of the mill pick-up band, Dixie Dawn formed in 1981. In it’s heyday, the group enjoyed playing at premier tourist attractions in North Carolina as well as opening for top names in country music on national tours, such as Alabama and the Oak Ridge Boys. They gained many avid fans from the time they were the house band at a local family-style entertainment establishment and they were featured at Merlefest in Wilkesboro for many years. Although they’ve played some of every style of music, the band now only plays the music they love; classic country, gospel, bluegrass, and 50’s rock and roll. With their diverse musical concerts filled with medleys, comedy, great playing and singing, they put on a show that continues to have a following of loyal fans from all over the South. This years Dixie Dawn features their faithful five – Darrel Bryant on guitar, banjo, and piano; Ronnie Black on guitar, mandolin and vocals; Kevin Rash on drums; Billy Smith on electric bass and vocals; and Johnson on pedal steel, guitar, fiddle, and vocals.

Joining Dixie Dawn on stage is their good friend Retha Davis, plus their favorite sound technician – who just also happens to be a great singer and picker – Sloan Bryant. Davis is from the Catawba area and is the daughter of Benny and Barbara Benfield (known in gospel circles as The Benfields). Johnson stated, “I watched Retha grow up and have enjoyed hearing her sing with her family for years. She will be singing songs that represent all of the hard working women who more than pull their weight keeping the backbone of our nation’s workforce strong!”

Rodney Sutton, director of JSMHM stated – “The Dixie Dawn concert is always a “hoot”! David Johnson and his band-mates never disappoint our audiences and no two shows are ever the same.” Sutton added, “These guys are superb musicians and singers and they use this annual JSMHM appearance as an excuse to get together and reminisce as they rehearse for this special concert.”

Johnson added, “As far as Dixie Dawn goes, we play in different groupings several times throughout the year but not as the entire country band. So the theme show that we do annually for JSMHM is always a treat for us to see our mountain friends and to share our first love of vintage country music from the 50’s 60’s and 70’s”

The Harvest House is located at 247 Boone Heights Drive in Boone.

This concert is supported by the following private sponsors: Lynn Hubbard, and Dr. E. Frank and Tara Hancock. Business Sponsors include; Advanced Reality, Joy Whitlach – State Farm Insurance, Stick Boy Bread Company, Mast General Store, Mountain Times Publishing, and the High Country Press. The United Way Sponsorship is Courtesy of Jack & Karen James. Additional support is provided by; The Watauga Arts Council, The NC Arts Council, and Boone TDA. Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music is also proud to be included as a site on the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina (BlueRidgeMusicNC.com).
Tickets cost $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Student tickets are $5. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. Advance tickets may be purchased online and at the Mast General Store (Boone and Valle Crucis), Fred’s Mercantile on Beech Mountain, Stick Boy Bread Company (345 Hardin St, Boone), plus Footsloggers and Pandora’s Mailbox on Main Street in downtown Blowing Rock.

Tickets, directions and more info can be found at the JSMHM website – www.mountainhomemusic.org/