Joe Shannon – Photos by Lonnie Webster
By Jesse Wood
May 13, 2014. Joe Shannon, founder of Mountain Home Music, passed away Tuesday morning in Florida.
Shannon had been battling cancer since 2012 and stepped down as executive director of Mountain Home Music in December as his condition deteriorated. An educator and musician, Shannon was a beloved member of the High Country.
Before he left for Florida in March to spend his remaining days with family, Shannon was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Gov. Pat McCrory, and the Town of Boone adopted a resolution recognizing Shannon for enriching the community and preserving the cultural heritage of Appalachia. In an interview in January, Shannon said that he started the music concert series, which is now in its 20th year, to honor the local styles of music and showcase the many, many talented yet relatively unknown musicians in the region.
Shannon received a rousing ovation during a Mountain Home Music Concert in March as he was wheeled into the concert hall in Blowing Rock.
“[And then there was] just a spontaneous roar. It was like Nelson Mandela entered the room. A tremendous feeling of love and inspiration swept over everybody,” MHM Board Member David Finck said, acknowledging the impact Shannon, a career educator, has had on the community.
A friend of Shannon’s said that a memorial service will take place in a couple weeks in Florida – as well as a ‘Celebration of Life’ at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Boone. For more info on Shannon, click to the following articles and scroll through the photos below.
March 19, 2014: MHM Founder Joe Shannon Recognized by Boone for Enriching Community, Preserving Cultural Heritage
March 18, 2014: Mix of Emotions at Farewell for Mountain Home Music’s Joe Shannon, Honored at St. Patrick’s Day Concert
March 10, 2014: Shannon Awarded Order of the Long Leaf Pine
Jan. 23, 2014: Mountain Home Music Board Begins Transition To Continue Without Founder Joe Shannon
Dec. 3, 2014: Joe Shannon Recognized with the Appalachian Cultural Enrichment Award Nov. 30
Shannon plays harmonica – Photo by Lonnie Webster
Joe Shannon plays the banjo. Photo by Lonnie Webster
A former student of Shannon’s at ASU stitched his poem 20 years ago, and Shannon saw it for the first time at the last Mountain Home Music concert of 2013.
Shannon with his sister and mother. Photo by Lonnie Webster
Shannon plays the accordion. Photo by Lonnie Webster
Joe Shannon and his sister Peggy on Achill Island in County Mayo Ireland. Photo by Lonnie Webster
Joe plays the accordion. Photo by Lonnie Webster
Shannon in black and white.
Shannon – Photo by Lonnie Webster
Shannon – Photo by Lonnie Webster
Shannon – Photo by Lonnie Webster
Shannon – Photo by Lonnie Webster
Shannon – Photo by Lonnie Webster
Shannon – Photo by Lonnie Webster
Shannon – Photo by Lonnie Webster
Shannon at the last MHM concert in December 2013 – Photo by Lonnie Webster
Shannon – Photo by Lonnie Webster
Shannon – Photo by Lonnie Webster
Shannon – Photo by Lonnie Webster
Shannon – Photo by Lonnie Webster
Photo by Lonnie Webster
Photo by Lonnie Webster
Joe Shannon was awarded the Appalachian Cultural Enrichment Award recently. Photo by Lonnie Webster
Here are photos from farewell concert in March:
One of many hugs Shannon received on Sunday.
There probably wasn’t a dry eye at the St. Patrick’s Day concert.
Those that attended said Shannon was the most upbeat of the bunch.
This was given to Shannon, signed by many friends.
Maura Shawn Scanlin from the The Forget-Me-Nots. Scanlin wrote and played a song composed especially for Joe.
More than 200 people packed BRAHM on Sunday.
Third from right is Shannon, who is holding up his recent award, Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
Third from right is Shannon.
Third from right is Shannon.
Those who attended said Shannon was the most upbeat of the bunch.
MHM Chair Ada Webster said Shannon was jovial on Sunday.
Shannon speaks to Mary Greene, fellow musician and long-time friend.
Shannon gets another hug from David Johnson
Shannon and Johnson
Shannon and Johnson
Steve Lewis (right) with Joe Shannon after the show.
Strictly Clean and Decent performs on Sunday.
Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys perform at St. Patrick’s Day concert.
The music was great as usual at Mountain Home Music’s Sunday concert.
