“I don’t creep around, I stand proud and free, cause I’m black myself,” the audience cheered to the music of Amythyst Kiah.
Grammy-nominated performer, Amythyst Kiah sang at the Grand Hall at the Martin Center on Feb. 19. Doors to the Martin Center opened at 6 p.m. House doors opened at 6:30 p.m. The show started at 7 p.m. The concert was sold out weeks before and had on-call seating left. The concert was under the “Crafting Blackness” with the Black Appalachian Initiative. The emcee of the event was Dr. Daryl Carter, the associate dean of the College and Arts and Science and director of Black American Studies. It was curated by Dr. Karlota Contreras-Koterbay. Dr. Carter started out the show thanking the sponsors and introducing Dr. Brian Noland.
‘Tonight is a special night because we welcome our own,” said Dr. Noland.
Kiah is an ETSU alumnus, attending from 2009-2013. During her time at ETSU, she performed in 11 different string bands and put 500 rehearsal hours into her music. She has performed at the Down Home and the Kennedy Center. She emphasizes the importance of being black and queer in Appalachia. She has many famous albums including “Dig” and “Black Myself.” She is a Grammy winner.
“She captivated everybody and brought the environment,” said Dr. Dan Boner, director of Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music at ETSU. “If you can define it, she has it.”
Roy Andrade, director of Old-Time, introduced the Old-Time Ramblers, the openers. They performed a set from the Johnson City Sessions, which is music from Johnson City from 1928-1929. Andrade defined old-time music and the Old-Time Ramblers’ history. He then brought out old text conversations between him and Kiah.
The Old-Time Ramblers, also known as the Twin Taters, consist of Ellie Davis, Colin Hyden, Briggs Hardy, Anneil Burnett and Sophia Burnett. Their set included performances from the fiddle, bass, banjo and guitar. In their final song, Andrade and Kiah joined them.
There was a 10-minute intermission between Twin Taters and Kiah. Dr. Joseph Bidwell and Angelitti Bradley from “Bravissma! Women Supporting the Arts” introduced Kiah with a few facts about her music journey.
“It’s an honor to be back here,” said Kiah. “It means the world to come back.”
She performed many songs including “Black Myself,” “Darling Corey,” “Space,” “Silver Petals,” “Never Alone,” “Sugar” and “Dead Stars.” She announced a future album that will be released later in the year with her producer and co-writer, Busch Walker. She performed with her band members: Hunter Bolley, Austin Drewry and Chris Collier.
“Many songs have been spurred by meditation,” said Kiah. “Thanks to all here who have been a part of my life.”
At the end of the free show, they asked for donations for the College of Arts and Science.
*Correction: in a previous version of this article, it was stated that Amythyst Kiah is a Grammy award winner. At the time of publication, Kiah was only nominated for a Grammy.
