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Mark Stuart, Andy Ferrell and ClayBank to Perform at the Jones House Friday Night

ClayBank
ClayBank bluegrass band

Songwriters Mark Stuart and Andy Ferrell, as well as rising bluegrass band, ClayBank, all perform at the Jones House Friday, as part of the 2016 Concerts at the Jones House series.

The free performance will begin at 5:00 p.m. with songwriter Mark Stuart, a veteran of the Americana and folk music circuits.  Stuart is a Tennessee native, who has spent significant amounts of time touring as a solo artist, with his wife Stacey Earle, and as a sideman with artists like Steve Forbert, Freddy Fender, Joan Baez, and his brother-in-law, Steve Earle.  Known for his incredible guitar chops, Stuart is a seasoned songwriter with a soulful voice and stage presence of a storyteller.

“It is always fun to catch touring musicians who are traveling through the area, and this was one of those opportunities,” says concert organizer, Mark Freed.  “And, Mr. Stuart sounds excited to visit the High Country with his solo act.”

Following Mark Stuart will be one of the High Country’s own rising songwriters, Andy Ferrell, who released his newest album, At Home and In Nashville earlier this year to much acclaim.  No Depression magazine compared his sound “as timeless as those of Jimmie Rodgers, Woody Guthrie, and Hank Williams.”  Ferrell grew up in Boone and was inspired to learn folk guitar styles from his father and listening to recordings of Doc Watson.

“Some of Andy’s new album was recorded here at the Jones House,” Freed says.  “It will be good to have Andy back to play his songs live from the porch once again.”

ClayBank bluegrass band will wrap up the evening, bringing their blend of hard-driving instrumentals and close harmony singing.  Hailing from the mountain communities around Boone, Watauga, and Ashe counties, ClayBank has caught the attention of many bluegrass fans over the past couple years, and the band was signed to Rural Rhythm Records earlier this year.  The band took the grand prize at the 2016 band competition at RenoFest, and they have their debut album due later this year.  The band includes Zack Arnold on mandolin, Jacob Greer on guitar, Tyler Thompson on banjo, and Gary Trivette on bass.

“ClayBank has a very tight sound, and I know that many of our Jones House audience members will be glad to have some bluegrass music back to the porch,” Freed adds.

The Summer Concerts at the Jones House are free, and patrons are encouraged to bring their own chair or blanket to sit under the giant maple trees in the front lawn of the community center.  Performances take place every Friday at 5:00 p.m. at the Jones House rain or shine.  The Jones House is located at 604 W. King St. in downtown Boone.

The 2016 Summer Concerts at the Jones House are produced by The Town of Boone’s Cultural Resources Department and sponsored by the Downtown Boone Development Association, Mast General Store, M-Prints, ECRS, Rosemary Horowitz, Melanie’s Food Fantasy, and Stick Boy Bread Company.  For more information about the series, including a complete schedule of performances, please visit the Jones House online at www.joneshouse.org or call 828.268.6280.

Mark Stuart
Mark Stuart
Andy Ferrell
Andy Ferrell