The Earl Scruggs Center and Don Gibson Theatre announce two special events on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn Workshop at the Earl Scruggs Center and Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn in Concert at the Don Gibson Theatre.
Just in case you aren't familiar with Bela Fleck, there are some who say he's the world's premier banjo player. Others claim that Béla has virtually reinvented the image and the sound of the banjo through a remarkable performing and recording career that has taken him all over the musical map and on a range of solo projects and collaborations. If you are familiar with Béla, you know that he just loves to play the banjo, and put it into unique settings. Sounds a lot like some of what people have said about Earl Scruggs.
Bela said recently, "Earl is the reason I play the banjo. I heard the ballad of Jed Clampett up in Queens, NY when I was a little kid and it shook me up! Nobody could make the banjo sound like he could, and he invented the technique, to boot. I was very fortunate to get to know Earl quite well in his last decade. Our relationship meant and means the world to me." (see photo of Bela and Earl)
The recipient of multiple Grammy Awards and nominations going back to 1998, Béla Flecks' total Grammy count is 15 Grammys won, with 30 nominations. He has been nominated in more categories than any instrumentalist in Grammy history.
In 2013, he joined forces with his wife, clawhammer banjoist and singer Abigail Washburn for a very banjo-centric recording and touring project. The impetus was the birth of their son Juno. Along with the obvious musical chemistry, this family band would keep their family together - on tour. Abigail Washburn pairs venerable folk elements with far-flung sounds, creating results that feel both strangely familiar and unlike anything anybody's ever heard before. Their debut album Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn took home the 2016 Grammy for Best Folk album.
Workshop at Earl Scruggs Center: During the October 14th program at 6:00 pm at the Earl Scruggs Center, Bela and Abigail will demonstrate banjo styles and techniques and answer questions. They will also discuss 3-finger style from Earl Scruggs to the present.
Show at Don Gibson Theatre: Bela and Abigail will then perform at 8:00 pm at the Don Gibson Theatre.
EXHIBIT ADMISSION
If you are attending either of the Bela & Abigail events, show your ticket at the Earl Scruggs Center for free exhibit admission during regular operating hours.
COME EARLY for the 8th Annual Rhythm & Roots Run: Walker, runner or picker? Join us at 8:30 am for music infused 5K walk/run and 10K run. Pickers can join in Foggy Mountain Breakdown to kick off the race. Come walk, run, pick or just cheer folks on along the course! Runners World said this is "an event you don't want to miss"! Information online at www.EarlScruggsCenter.org.
Earl Scruggs Center Hours Tuesday through Saturday 10 am - 4 pm with extended hours on Wednesdays until 6 pm.
Learn more about the Earl Scruggs Center by calling 704-487-6233 or visiting www.earlscruggscenter.org.
Submitted by Emily Epley