On Nov. 29, crowds gathered together at The Down Home for the first night of the semi-annual Down Home Takeover, an end-of-semester tradition presented by ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies.
For two hours, audience members were presented with a showcase of various ETSU bands, featuring bluegrass, old-time, country, Celtic and a group of Hungarian students playing traditional folk songs from Hungary.
Each band played about five songs during their performance, resulting in a toe-tapping, head-nodding energy throughout the whole crowd.
Before the concert began, veteran Down Home Takeover attendee Kate Boundy was able to give insight into what the audience could expect from the evening.
“There will be a lot of music, great responses from the audience, a pretty inclusive experience for everyone,” Boundy said.
The marketing and public relations coordinator for the Down Home Takeover was also present at the opening night.
A 2020 graduate of ETSU, Anissa Burnett has been to every Down Home Takeover since 2018.
“The Down Home Takeovers are a time to show off what you’ve learned the entire semester, what you’ve worked on with your bands. It’s pretty much your final test, it’s kind of the last hurrah of the semester,” Burnett said.
Those unable to attend the opening show of the Down Home Takeover need not be disappointed; the ETSU bands will be performing at The Down Home in Johnson City every evening starting at 7 p.m., with the final performance being this Friday, Dec. 2. Tickets are $15 for the public, but student rates will be available with a valid ID.
“If you like a mixture of traditional music this is a great thing to come to,” Burnett said. “If you like to see what ETSU bluegrass students are working on, then come join us.”
Even for the musicians involved, the end-of-the-semester celebration is unbeatable.
“It’s a lot of fun getting to pick with everybody, and [I’m] learning more and more,” said Eli Durham, a third semester student in the program, who will be playing in three different bands throughout the showcase.
For more information on the upcoming showings or to purchase tickets online, visit: www.downhome.com/events/
