| The 11th Annual Art of Sound Festival |
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The Cleveland County Arts Council is pleased and excited to announce that the 11th Annual Art of Sound Music Festival will return this year a month earlier – Sept. 19 through 21. The Arts Council Board of Directors and Festival organizers feel that the move will allow the Festival to return to its roots of showcasing excellence in the work of all types of musicians from the local area and beyond.
The Art of Sound is not your typical music “festival” in fact, it almost has the feel of a weekend concert series. Whatever you call it, you will hear great music with lots of fun. Most of the performances will be held inside at the Arts Center and the Don Gibson Theatre allowing attendees to enjoy some of their favorite musical acts in climate controlled comfort. Music will also be heard outside along the “Musical Corridor” between the Arts Council and the Don Gibson Theatre for a Musical Walk on Washington St. on Saturday night from 7:00 – 10:00 pm.
The festival begins Thursday evening at the Arts Center with the Dr. Bobby Bluegrass Night. Dr. Bobby Jones served on the committee from its inception with foresight as to how our music history still shapes us and gives great meaning to our lives. He was an enthusiastic participant as a performer but also attended to hear and promote other performers, enjoying all types of music. Performers that evening will be local favorite, Flint Hill, whose members have more combined experience in bluegrass music than many of the top acts today. Band member Dean Jenks will serve as emcee for the night. Also performing will be Tommy Edwards and The Bluegrass Experience one of the Southeast’s most respected traditional music groups. This Group has been around the Chapel Hill area’s music scene possibly longer even than FlintHill has existed. The Heritage Bridge Award will be presented Thursday evening to Buster Kendrick, Cleveland County native and retired member of the Chuck Wagon Gang, one of the oldest recording mixed quartets of ‘grass roots’ Gospel music. The evening will end with a jam featuring some of Dr. Bobby’s special friends, J. Max McKee, Dan X. Padgett, and Tim Spence, three banjo players who, along with Jenks and others, show the continuation of Earl Scruggs-inspired excellence on the instrument.
Friday night’s offerings take a different direction with Colin Hay performing at the Don Gibson Theatre. This Scottish born musician and actor made his mark during the 1980s as lead vocalist of the Australian band Men at Work, (“Down Under”, “Overkill”, “Who Can it Be Now?”.) The past ten years have found him re-introducing himself to a new generation of fans as a solo artist.
Friday night at the Arts Center a totally different sound will be heard as the evening opens with Swing: 30 featuring Ray Ledford and Betty Z. Their repertoire is from the “Great American Songbook” of the 20’s, 30’s, and beyond. The walk down memory lane will continue with hits from the big band era with the Frank Love Orchestrafeaturing classics from composers such as Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. Tickets for the performances at the Arts Center include dinner by NiFen Bistro and an open dance floor.
The musical fun continues Saturday with the return of the drum circle held on the Court House lawn and is open to anyone with some kind of hand drum or any kind of percussion instrument. This informal gathering offers equality in talent and knowledge because there is no real beginning or end. The main objective is to share the common rhythm and to get in tune with others and yourself. It is fun, self-fulfilling, rewarding and it is a great reliever of stress! Children and adults are invited to join in the fun at 5:00 on the Court Square across from the Arts Council. Drum circles have become the heartbeat of many places and organizations. It is a great way to be a part of a group that is all in harmony with each other, only if it is for a little while, it’s a great thing!
After the Drum Circle you are invited to cross Washington Street and listen to the sounds of Pan Jive Steel Drum Band. Celebrating 18 years of musical fun, PANJIVE is a smooth blend of Calypso, Reggae, Ska, Latin, and Contemporary music that always incorporates the unique island sounds of the “Steel Drum.” Celebrate the last day of summer with a musical trip to the tropics. The lineup inside the Arts Center begins with Overmountain Men, with tight, pocketed, expert instrumentation blending influences from rock and roll, punk, old time, blues, gospel, country, classical, metal, jazz, and bluegrass. Their music is contemplative yet rowdy and definitely a different ride every time.
Up next is Grammy nominated guitarist, singer and songwriter Bill Kirchen who is one of the fortunate few who can step onto any stage, play those trademark licks that drove his seminal Commander Cody classic Hot Rod Lincoln into the Top Ten, and elicit instant recognition for a career that has spanned over 40 years and includes guitar work with Nick Lowe, Emmylou Harris, Doug Sahm, Elvis Costello and many more. Named “A Titan of the Telecaster” by Guitar Player Magazine, he celebrates an American musical tradition where rock ‘n’ roll and country music draws upon its origins in blues and bluegrass, Western swing from Texas and California honky-tonk.
Rounding out the night at the Arts Center will be West Virginia’s premier rhythm & blues group, the Carpenter Ants. The Ants wail through classic R&B, country-swamp and gospel-soul with equal conviction. The group’s trademark sound -- rich, soulful harmonies, stinging solos, and a rock-solid rhythm section -- captures that rare, loose-but-tight feel, and has won the band international as well as regional fans.
Saturday night at the Don Gibson begins with Nashville recording artist Michael Cosner who has been heavily influenced by artists like Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, Alan Jackson and Joe Diffie. Michael was lead singer and front man for a very successful regionally touring band called Native Son and later teamed with Byron Hill to write music and songs for a film project. Since then they have continued to write together and in March of 2012, with Byron producing, Michael recorded STAY COUNTRY, his first collection or original material.
Next at the Gibson will be Mipso, rooted in the music of North Carolina’s mountains and Piedmont, this Chapel Hill-based group gives these traditional influences a distinctly modern twist. With an old-school combination of mandolin, bass, guitar, and four voices in close harmony, Mipso mixes bluegrass ingredients with a healthy dose of 21st century energy.
The Sweethearts of Bluegrass, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, are among the most beloved bands on the acoustic music scene. Darin and Brooke are mainstays on the Bluegrass charts and radio with singles lingering in the top positions well after release. This dazzling duo has been in the studio putting the final touches on their latest cd which will be released after tonight’s performance. Flying, an Organic Records release, will showcase Darin and Brooke Aldridge’s versatility as they add new dimensions to their already stellar sound. Join Brooke and Darin for their latest cd Release Party.
New this year will be the “Musical Walk on Washington Street”. A variety of street musicians, including Lily Talent, Justin Harper, and Bobby Ray Bittle will perform for festival attendees as they stroll between the two venues.
Ticket Prices
Thursday night - $10 in advance; $15 at the door
Friday – Arts Center: $25 in advance; $30 at the door and includes dinner. Colin Hay - $29.50
Saturday - $20 in advance; $30 at the door and includes both locations
Festival Pass – $45 in advance; $50 at the door - good for all performances including Colin Hay
For more information and a full description of each performer, visit www.artofsoundcc.com or call 704-484-2787. Tickets are available online or by phone.
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