The VW Boys, featuring Tim White of Songs of the Mountain, will be making a rare appearance in the High Country on Friday night, Aug. 31, as a part of Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music’s 25th Anniversary Concert Series. The show will take place at the Harvest House Performing Arts Center in Boone, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The VW Boys is an idea shared by Tim White and Dave Vaught. Veterans of the entertainment world, White and Vaught have combined their talents along with another friend, Fat Albert Blackburn, to put together a show that appeals to all age groups. The VW Boys believe that the best medicine for mankind is music and laughter, and the VW Boys supply plenty of both.
Many people across America recognize Tim White as the host of “Song of the Mountains,” the nationally syndicated concert series seen on PBS each week. “We love our music and share it everywhere we can,” states White.
White is the banjo picker, guitar picker, and baritone singer for the VW Boys. He knew Vaught for several years prior to both of these gentlemen forming the VW Boys band, which features bluegrass music, magic and comedy in one self-contained variety show. Blackburn is the third leg of the VW Boys and plays upright bass and sings lead. Vaught is an excellent entertainer and magician who brings his talents to the group, as well as playing guitar and singing lead and harmony parts.
The VW Boys’ home is located in the Bristol, VA/TN region. They have traveled all over the east coast spreading their music, magic and comedy. They boast four recordings to this point with many original compositions. The VW Boys have performed as regulars at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN with fantastic reviews. They have opened for legendary comedians Jerry Clower, Don Knotts and George “Goober” Lindsey. The VW Boys have also worked with numerous other Bluegrass and Country Music artists like Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Jim and Jesse, Alison Krauss, Tom T. Hall and many others.
The VW Boys performed at the 2003 Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D.C. and at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, our National Cultural Center. The VW Boys have also recently performed at the Ford Theatre in Nashville, TN at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Additionally, they have released their 8th recording titled “Listen to the Music,” which included guest appearances by Lou Reid, Hunter Berry, Travis Houch and Leon Frost.
JSMHM’s director, Rodney Sutton, said of this show, “We are excited to host the VW Boys and Tim White for a rare appearance in Boone. As a part of JSMHM’s Silver Anniversary season, we are welcoming some bands to our stage for the first time. These guys have been going strong for over 20 years. I was lucky enough to share the stage with them at that Smithsonian Folklife Festival when they and the Green Grass Cloggers appeared as a part of the ‘Year of Appalachia–Heritage and Harmony’ back in 2003.” Sutton added, “The Harvest House is an indoor climate controlled facility that allows JSMHM concerts to go on ‘rain or shine.’ With the wet weather that we have been having this summer in The High Country, this is the perfect venue to showcase the VW Boys to kick-off everyone’s Labor Day weekend entertainment.”
Private sponsors for this concert are Tony and Lynn Barbour and Lonnie and Ada Webster. Business sponsors include Advanced Realty, Mast General Store, Stick Boy Kitchen, Mountain Time Publishing and the High Country Press. Additional support is provided by Boone TDA, The Watauga County Arts Council and Grassroots Funds from The NC Arts Council. Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music is also proud to be included as a site on the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina (BlueRidgeMusicNC.com).
The Harvest House Performing Arts Venue is located at 247 Boone Heights Dr. in Boone.
Tickets cost $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Student tickets are $5. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. Advance tickets may be purchased online and at the Mast General Store (Boone and Valle Crucis), Fred’s Mercantile on Beech Mountain, Stick Boy Bread Company (345 Hardin St, Boone), plus Footsloggers and Pandora’s Mailbox on Main Street in downtown Blowing Rock.
Tickets, directions and more info can be found at the JSMHM website: www.mountainhomemusic.org/
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