Jun 15, 2009
The collaboration between the Lions Club and the Tourism office developed through a mutual interest of Lions Club Chairman Jim Clark and Director of Tourism Debbie Robinson. Both have experience in promoting bluegrass and old-time music and share a passion to see this cultural heritage art form continue for generations to come. The concert benefits are two-fold, as proceeds will support the work of the local non-profit Lions Club and the program will appeal to visitors from neighboring communities as well as draw tourists from bordering states.
The show promises to be versatile and entertaining, from fiddle/banjo instrumentals to powerful solos and harmony vocals on blues, classic country, honky tonk, traditional bluegrass numbers, old timey ballads, originals, and four-part mountain gospel songs. The show will also include traditional flat-foot dancing. White Top Mountain Band is known for their high energy and charisma on stage. They have a tremendous following in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky.
Traveling to Henry County from the highest point in the Commonwealth, Whitetop Mountain Band is a family-based band from Grayson County’s Whitetop, Virginia. The members of the band have contributed much to preserve the Whitetop region’s style of old-time fiddling and banjo picking and are legendary musicians and teachers of the style.
The band recently participated in the Crooked Road West Coast Tour to sell-out crowds at performance halls in Montana, Oregon, California and Washington State. Members also toured the United Kingdom and Ireland in 2007, and most recently were featured at the Milleara Folk Festival and Tamworth Country Music Festival in New South Wales, Australia.
The Lions Club and Tourism Office have teamed up to bring an additional outstanding musician who was also featured in numerous Crooked Road Music Tours. With family roots in Henry County, Montana Young raised in Bassett, Virginia is no stranger to Appalachian Mountain Music. Montana began playing at the tender age of five after becoming mesmerized by the fiddle, when her parents took her to the Galax Old Fiddlers Convention. With the help of early instructors including classical violin lessons and lessons from local bluegrass and old-time musicians Montana’s parents and grandparents have provided her with tremendous support and encouragement. Montana has enjoyed success with classical violin, earning first chair in the Roanoke Junior Strings, but her true love has been bluegrass.
At the age of 10, Montana participated in the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship program and studied with bluegrass legend Buddy Pendleton, also a Henry County native who now resides in Patrick County. Patrick County is named for a fiddler named Patrick Henry, who also happens to be a famous orator of the American Revolution. The county was not given Henry’s last name, as that already belonged to the county to its east. Henry County is also named for the revolutionary fiddler, and his legacy is clearly evident in the capable hands of 16 year-old Bassett native, Montana Young. During their apprenticeship, Buddy taught Montana his signature bowing style, as well as a number of fiddle tunes.
Montana is a famously quick learner. Legend has it that she learns most fiddle tunes in about 10 to 15 minutes. She’s won over 50 blue ribbons for her fiddling. She has won every youth fiddle competition in her path, and has won first prize in numerous adult fiddling categories.
At her young age music has already opened many doors, as she’s toured regionally, throughout the state of Virginia and also globally with a troupe of master musicians from the Crooked Road including a tour to Scotland in 2006. She entertained the Queen of England with these same musicians during her visit to Richmond, Virginia.
“Montana is indeed a very gifted musician, who has captured the hearts of many, including mine,” says Martinsville Henry County Director of Tourism, Debbie Robinson, who traveled with Montana as manager and coordinator of numerous Crooked Road Music Tours. “I’ve had the pleasure of traveling and working with Montana as well as Whitetop Mountain Band, and must say that they have inspired countless young people to take up music, and have been tremendous ambassadors for the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as the local communities of this region”. “Anyone who may have concerns that this traditional cultural art form will not be passed on to the next generation, need only see and hear the masterful playing of these artists. They continue to delight audiences with their incredible craft, and we are very proud to collaborate with the Martinsville Lions Club in presenting this outstanding show.”
Concert Info:
Date of Show: Saturday, June 27, 2009
Location: Martinsville High School
Time: 6:00 p.m. Show opens with Montana Young, 7:00 p.m. White Top Mountain Band
Tickets: $5.00- Available in advance at Woodall’s Music Shop and MHC Visitor Center
Phone: 276-632-8006 or 888-722-3498
www.VisitMartinsville.com
