David Holt visits the High Country often, though it is usually on your television screen, public radio station, or at Tweetsie Railroad with his band, The Lightning Bolts. This Sunday, Holt will return to Boone to give two house concert performances at the Jones House, in addition to displaying an exhibit of his photography.
Four-time Grammy Award winner, David Holt, fell in love with the banjo and traditional mountain music as a young man, and he moved to western North Carolina in 1968. Holt started traveling around the region to meet hundreds of old-time mountaineers with a wealth of folk music, stories, and wisdom. Holt learned banjo tunes from Wade Mainer, stories from Ray Hicks, and how to play the washboard from 122-year-old Susie Brunson. Today, he is a master at 10 different acoustic instruments, not to mention a host of unusual instruments, like the jaw harp, mouthbow, and even the paper bag.
“David Holt can make music out of just about anything,” says concert organizer, Mark Freed. “And he has a good story to go along with the instruments and songs.”
For more than four decades, Holt has continued to learn musical and folk arts from tradition bearers all over the country. He has performed and recorded with many of his mentors, including Doc Watson, Grandpa Jones, Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff, and Chet Atkins.
Holt is well known for both his television and radio appearances. He hosts the program Folkways, which can be seen on UNC public television, and he also hosts PBS’s series Great Scenic Railway Journeys. Holt was also involved in many musical television programs, playing host on Fire in the Mountain, and American Music Shop, and appearing as a frequent guest on Hee Haw, and The Grand Ole Opry. He also hosts the public radio program Riverwalk Jazz Radio Show. Holt played a cameo spot on the film O Brother Where Art Thou?
“David Holt plays some of the biggest stages and media outlets across the country, so it is really special to have him visit the Jones House for a unamplified, acoustic house concert,” Freed says.
In addition to his performances, Holt will also have 36 images on display of photographs he has taken of mentor musicians. Holt frequently uses photographs he has taken during his performances, and for the month of October, the Mazie Jones Gallery in the Jones House will feature a selection of these photographs.
“The images will really add a lot to the visit, since Holt’s mentors are such an important part of his performances,” Freed says. “It will be great to have them on display for an entire month of October, so fans can come back to enjoy them… perhaps on a Thursday night old-time jam session.”
David Holt will give performances at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. at the Jones House, on Sunday, September 27, 2015. There are only 40 seats available for each performance, so advanced reservations are encouraged, though any open seats will be available at the door. Tickets are $20 per person and will include an opportunity to meet Holt following the performance.
The concert with Holt is supported in part by a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
For reservations or more information about the Jones House Fall Indoor Concerts series, including a complete schedule of performances, please visit www.joneshouse.org or call 828.268.6280.
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