As we all have become increasingly aware, the races are coming to the local speedway this weekend. If you’re a Nascar fan, great, that’s your prerogative … but if watching distant cars swirl like colorful turds in a bowl of screaming race fans isn’t your thing, let me propose a much more refreshing way to spend your Saturday evening: Old-time rhythm and bluegrass at the Visitor’s Center in Jonesborough.
Though scheduled at a conflicting time with the race, the concert still boasts of a promising turnout with the prestige of ETSUs very own Bluegrass Pride Band. “It’s a possibility that the race will affect the turnout, but we’re not too worried about it,” said Tyler Kufta, head of the bluegrass department. “It’s a pretty nice venue and it’s not that far from campus.”
Visitors should expect a three-hour show consisting of two sets divided by a 15-minute break band. To get an idea of what sort of sound ETSU’s very own band has, visit www.etsu.edu/cass/store/bluegrasspride.esp for song samples. Like what you hear? CDs may be purchased online or at the Center for Graduate Studies.
Bluegrass Pride seems to be a melting pot of musicians, handpicked from scattered backgrounds across the States, and even a few from overseas.
The Pride Band consists of Sara Nodham (Kentucky), Sara Cull of Scotland and Leona Tokutake of Tokyo, Japan, in an impressive three-piece fiddle section, along with Travis Houck (Virginia) on the dobro, Jordan Ramsey (Tennessee) on the mandolin, Tyler Kufta (Georgia) on the bass, Matt Bright (Virginia) on the guitar and Robert Trapp (Florida) on the banjo.
Concert begins at 7 p.m. and tickets can be pre-ordered at the Jonesborough Visitor’s Center for $8 or purchased at the door for $10. Not a bad price compared to that of a race ticket. Not to mention, all funds go to local organization, Cindy’s Kids, a non-profit organization sponsored by Christian artist Cindy Stout.
Proceeds will go to the support of helping out under-priveleged/needy teens.
For more information or directions to the venue, call 929-1841 or 202-2502.
Kill two birds with one stone and spend your evening the right way!
If you can’t make it out to the rompin’, stompin’ and pickin’ this time, don’t fret (no pun intended) – ETSU’s Bluegrass Pride Band has one heck of a line-up for the remainder of the season.
“We’ve got a lot of shows coming up and we’d definitely like to see the theatre filled up,” Kufta said. With a few more shows at the local Down Home, a spring festival at the Beck Mountain Corn Maize and of course, the annual celebration at the Paramount in Bristol, they’ve got their hands full for your listening pleasure.
Expect the Paramount concert this year to be more exciting than ever with guests such as Adam Steffey, Robert Bowlin, Ed Snodderly, Hunter Berry, Beth Stevens and Vincent Dial celebrating the 25th anniversary of Bluegrass at ETSU. “It’s going to be set up like an old live radio show,” Kufta said. “We’re holding it in honor of Tater Tate and Curly Seckler, (who were) giants in the first generation of bluegrass.”
Tickets for Bluegrass Celebration 2007, held on March 26 at the Paramount center, are $12 for adults, $8 for students, seniors over 65 and children under 12. For further information, visit Web site or call 274-8920 or 439-7072.

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