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Grammy Award Winner David Holt and the Lightning Bolts Visit Tweetsie Railroad on Sunday, May 25

May 9, 2014. For one day only, a unique blend of mountain music will ring through Tweetsie Railroad when the park welcomes four-time Grammy Award winner David Holt and his assembled group of stellar musicians, the Lightning Bolts, on Sunday, May 25 at noon and 3 p.m.

imgresAs musicians, storytellers and entertainers, David Holt and the Lightning Bolts are dedicated to performing and preserving traditional American music and stories through a one-of-a-king combination of ten acoustic instruments.

Whether it’s a banjo, slide guitar, hambone or even a paper bag, guests will be amazed at the music created live and in person by Holt and the Lightning Bolt members Laura Boosinger, Josh Goforth, Jeff Hersk and Byron Hedgepeth. To keep their music fun and fired up, they perform numbers learned directly from musical greats like Doc Watson, Tommy Jarrell, Grandpa Jones, Roy Acuff and the oldest person in the world, 123-year-old Susie Brunson. Using large black and white photographs taken by Holt of his mentors, the audience hears the real life stories behind the songs and tunes.

Reservations are not required for these special shows but seating is on a first come first served basis. Both shows are included as part of general park admission.

Fun Facts about David Holt

  • In 2002, Doc Watson and David Holt won two Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Folk Recording for “Legacy,” a three-CD collection of songs and stories reflecting Doc Watson’s inspiring life story.
  • Holt is the host of public television’s Folkways, a North Carolina program that takes the viewer through the Southern Mountains visiting traditional craftsmen and musicians.
  • Holt was a musician in the acclaimed 2000 film, “O Brother, Where Art Thou”
  • In 1975, Holt founded and directed the Appalachian Music Program at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina. It is the only program of its kind in which students study, collect and learn traditional music and dance.
  • The songs and tales Holt has collected over the past 20 years have become a part of the permanent collection of the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.
  • Esquire Magazine selected Holt for its first Annual Register of Men and women who are Changing America in 1984.

More details about Holt, his discography, awards and tour dates are available on www.DavidHolt.com.

Tweetsie Railroad will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting April 11 including Memorial Day Monday and seven days a week from May 30 through Aug. 17. The park returns to the weekend schedule from Aug. 18 through Nov. 2, including labor day Monday. The 2014 season ends Sunday, Nov. 2. The park’s regular hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. but will be open until 9 p.m. for the Fireworks Extravaganza and July 5, 12, 19 and 26 for Cool Summer Nights. Daily admission to Tweetsie Railroad is $39 for adults and $26 for children ages 3-12. Children 2 and under are admitted free. The Ghost Train Halloween Festival will take place Friday and Saturday nights Sept.26-Nov. 1 from 7:30-11:30 p.m. when admission is $31 for adults and children. Tickets and Golden Rail Season Passes are available at Tweetsie.com.

Tweetsie Railroad is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains on U.S. 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock. For more information visit www.Tweetsie.com or call 877-TWEETSIE.