Aug. 18, 2014. The South Carolina Broadcasters roll into town on Saturday, Aug. 23 for a lively performance of honest-to-goodness old-time Appalachian music. The concert is presented by Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music and it takes place at the Harvest House Performing Arts Venue at 7:30 p.m.
The South Carolina Broadcasters is a trio that digs deep into traditional gospel numbers and old-time tunes that originated from the mountains of the Carolinas and Virginia. Hailing from Charleston, S.C., but with roots in the sacred Mt. Airey region, they are a three-piece group comprised on David Sheppard on guitar, Ivy Sheppard on fiddle and banjo, and relative newcomer Sarah Osborne on banjo and guitar. Will all three providing strong vocals, The Broadcasters have created a distinctive style of harmonizing that harkens back to the sound of early 78 ROM recordings of groups such as The Carter Family. The group not only sings “covers” of many early recording pioneers, but they also include original songs penned by David Sheppard that sound as if they might have been written decades ago..
To really understand what has propelled the South Carolina Broadcasters to the forefront of the traditional music scene, a little more background on each member is helpful.
Ivy Sheppard expresses herself in tis world with music. It is the sounds of a bygone era that resonate so clearly in her soul. She had the great fortune to learn her banjo and fiddle stylings at the feet of the great Birchfield family of east Tennessee. Ivy’s playing has garnered her first place in both fiddle and banjo at numerous regional fiddler conventions.
David Sheppard puts the drive in The Broadcasters’ sound. Like a freight train coming on down the line, his style of playing gives the band an unmistakable sound. Currently, his song-writing knack is gaining the trio lots of attention.
Sarah Osborne feels most alive making this music. She grew up in the Piedmont of North Carolina, singing the gospel songs of her great grandmother. Sarah met her first banjo in the summer of 2012, and after some hesitation, fell head over heels in love with the old time 5-string.
Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music director Rodney Sutton says of The Broadcasters, “THis band is not just about their wonderful singing, – wait until you hear them tear into some hot old-time fiddle tunes. I’ve had the pleasure of calling dances with The Broadcasters and their high-energy, driving style always fills the floor with lots of dancers. And yes, there will be room at the Harvest House for flatfooting.
This week’s concert is dedicated to the memory of Ned Trivette, one of the founding members of Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music.
Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music would like to acknowledge sponsors for this week’s concert: Advanced Realty, Fred’s Mercantile, Harvest House Performing Arts Venue, The United Way, WETS-89.5FM, and The Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina.
The Harvest House is located at 247 Boone Heights Dr. in Boone. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door. Student tickets are $11. This is indeed a child-friendly concert. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Prices include the new NC state tax.
Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.MountainHomeMusic.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the Mast General Store in Boone and Valle Crucis, Fred’s Mercantile on Beech Mountain and at Pandora’s Mailbox and the Dulcimer Shop, both in the Martin House on Main Street, downtown Blowing Rock.
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