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Summer Concerts at the Jones House Features Performances by The Mountain Laurels and Steve & Ruth

Aug. 13, 2013. The Town of Boone continues wit the 2013 Summer Concerts at the Jones House this Friday at 5 p.m., featuring performances by The Mountain Laurels and Steve and Ruth.

With a sound dubbed as “Neo-Celtic” the all-women folk group, The Mountain Laurels, brings a blend of stringed and wind instruments together to create a variety of sounds from Irish jigs and reels to sentimental ballads. 

“These women bring an eclectic mix of folk styles to the group, and it all comes together for a really fun set of music,” says Concerts organizer Mark Freed.

“They are clearly passionate about the music, and it is infectious.”

imgres-2The band includes Rhonda Lorence on violin and viola, Connie Coolard on hammered dulcimer and percussion, Elaine Gray on guitar, Suzi Mills on bass and accordion and Louise Keegan on flute and whistle. The Mountain Laurels will begin the concert Friday at 5 p.m.

Steve and Ruth will follow the Mountain Laurels around 6 p.m. Steve and Ruth Smith have been playing music together for more than 35 years, and hthey are regular performers in the High Country and at the Jones House. Combining tunes and songs with roots in the southern mountains and Celtic traditions with original compositions, Steve and Ruth have taken their music around the world. Ruth plays both hammered and mountain dulcimer and Steve plays guitar and banjo. 

“Ruth is really an outstanding hammered dulcimer player, sought after to lead workshops across the country,” Freed notes. “And they are both excellent writers of tunes and songs.”

The Concerts at the Jones House are produced by the Town of Boone and sponsored by the Downtown Boone Development Association, the Mast General Store, Footsloggers, MPrints, Stick Boy Bread Co., Melanie’s and Farmer’s Rentals. The free concerts take place every Friday starting at 5 p.m. rain or shine. People are encouraged to bring their own chair or blanket. 

For more information, including a complete schedule, visit www.joneshousecommunitycenter.org or call (828) 262-4576.