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Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music Presents an Appalachian Christmas Concert Saturday, Dec. 6

Dec. 1, 2014. Come celebrate the spirit of the holidays with Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music as it offers the final concert for 2014 – “An Appalachian Christmas.” This annual, free performance has become a favorite tradition for many families here in the High Country. The show will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Boone. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

As Joe Shannon often said, “as Mountain Home Music closes the door on the current season, in the process, it opens the doors for others,” No admission is charged for this benefit concert, but a collection is taken, and 100 percent of the proceeds are given to two worthwhile community organizations known for helping those less fortunate. The beneficiaries this year are the Hospitality House, which is Watauga County’s homeless shelter, and Santa’s Toy Box, which helps to assure that children in Watauga County get a visit from Santa.

Relaxing on the Appalachian State University Campus“Each year, Joe would invite musicians who had performed during the past year’s series to headline an evening of wonderful music that reflects that special flavor of An Appalachian Christmas,” said Rodney Sutton, current director of Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music.

This year, the lineup will feature members of the following groups: The Sheets Family, Laurel Creek String Band and the Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys. Also appearing will be Mary Greene plus other special guests, including a possible appearance by Dancing Elf himself!

The Sheets Family Band is an old time string band from western North Carolina. Celebrated for their harmony singing and energetic instrumentals, the embody the values of homemade and homegrown music and lifestyle. Their old time mountain style takes inspiration from the music of the Appalachian Mountains and beyond. Mother and daughter, Deborah Jean Sheets on guitar and Kelly Sheets Snider on fiddle, have selected three Christmas themed traditional songs for this concert.

The Laurel Creek String Band has been making a name for themselves locally the past few years. They play for numerous square dances in the area and their live concert performances feature old-time fiddle music with that distinctive claw-hammer banjo sound. Their shows also include original compositions from Trevor McKenzie that sound as if they are from a distant past.

Mary Greene is well-known throughout the region as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. Mary has been a mainstay at Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music over the years.

The Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys will feature David Johnson, a member of the Blue Ridge Electric Music Hall of Fame, Scott Freeman, a Henderson Festival Mandolin Champion, plus Eric Ellis and a special guest.

Sutton said, “What better way to pay tribute to the giving spirit of Joe Shannon than to shine a light on one of Joe’s favorite concerts each year? Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music gets to give back to the community with a free show and in turn, we offer the opportunity for those who attend to give to these two charities!”

No tickets are needed in advance for this free concert.

Grace Lutheran Church is located at 115 E. King St. in Boone.