The Friends of the Southwest Virginia Museum’s Fourth Annual “Gathering in the Gap” takes place Saturday, May 29, on the grounds of the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. “Gathering in the Gap” is a music festival celebrating the rich tradition of old-time, Americana, and bluegrass music found in Southwest Virginia. This year’s headline act is the award-winning bluegrass band Blue Highway.
At the 16-year mark, Blue Highway is indisputably one of the most esteemed and influential groups in contemporary bluegrass. The band's nine exceptional albums and compelling live performances give proof to the stellar reviews, Grammy nominations, and numerous awards earned by the band since it first took the stage on December 31, 1994, with the same musicians that comprise Blue Highway today. With nine highly-acclaimed albums to its credit, Blue Highway has garnered two Grammy nominations, a Dove Award, topped the Bluegrass Unlimited radio charts, and won numerous International Bluegrass Music Association awards. Artfully balanced between tradition and innovation, the band remains in the forefront of contemporary bluegrass music.
The festival Main Stage will also include performances by:
• The Whitetop Mountain Band - The Whitetop Mountain Band is a family-based band from the highest mountains of Virginia. They have done much to preserve the Whitetop region's style of old time fiddling and banjo picking and are legendary musicians and teachers of the style. Whitetop Mountain Band has performed at many venues throughout the United States from festivals to concerts, competitions, and colleges, including the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the Carter Family Festival, and Floydfest.
• Folk Soul Revival - Folk Soul Revival is an upbeat, rootsy acoustic group from the mountains of Appalachia. Their diversity, creativity and passion is evident among those who have witnessed the boys hone their craft onstage. With their distinct vocal approaches, back-porch instrumentation, haunting four-part harmonies and sheer talent, their sound is a fresh amalgamation of Americana music. The band has shared the stage with such high- profile acts as Jason Isbell, vocalist Justin Townes Earle, Tim Easton, Mel McDaniel, The Felice Brothers and Chris Janson. They have also headlined many shows in various venues and have played at regional festivals Blue Plum, Floydfest, and Rhythm and Roots.
• Adam Larkey and Mountain Time – 13-year old Adam Larkey plays old-time and bluegrass fiddle music as someone decades his senior. An East Tennessee resident, Adam has appeared on WCYB's Family Focus, CMT, BCMA's Pickin Porch, and the Carter Family Fold. Adam has been honored to be a featured performer in Nashville along side accomplished artists such as The Little River Band, Kim Karnes and Penny Gilley.
• Clay Prewitt & These Undowners - Since forming in the summer of 2008, These Undowners have never been insincere about their musical direction. Their songs speak of love, loss, good times and bad times—bouncing around the gamut between edgy Americana and folk-infused funk. The band’s music showcases the soulful singing and songwriting Clay Prewitt, and the phenomenal flatpicking of Blake Collins. Bassist “Doc” Marshall and Drummer Steven Reese create one of the tightest, most dynamic rhythm sections in the region. Together, the group gives rise to authentic mountain soul.
• Ron Short & The Possum Playboys - The Possum Playboys are keeping alive and vibrant the tradition of bands that once traveled the back roads of Appalachia, playing music that pleased and satisfied the eternal human longing for dance and fun. Featuring fiddle and accordion, the Playboys play a lively mix of old-time, country, western swing, Cajun, and rock-a-hillbilly music that sets the feet tapping, the hips swinging and the smiles a’glowing.
In addition to the Main Stage performances, the Gathering in the Gap also features three unique workshops which focus on a different aspect of traditional old-time and bluegrass music and offer participants the opportunity to learn from gifted music professionals. These moderated workshops have limited seating and require special tickets in addition to the general festival admission. The workshop schedule is as follows:
SHAPE NOTE SINGING with ALEXANDER GARDEN & FREINDS
A team, led by Alexander Garden, will teach the shape note-singing workshop. This class will explore the origins of shape note singing and the social role of "singings" in the community. After a discussion on the history of shape note singing, participants will learn the basics of shape note singing. The moderated workshop will be 1 1/2 hours in a large group setting. Spectators are welcome at this class.
TIME: 9:30 AM-11:00 AM
LOCATION: Museum’s Victorian Parlor
COST: Free, pre-registration & special workshop ticket required.
TRADTIONAL DANCE with MARTHA and EMILY SPENCER
Martha and Emily Spencer of Whitetop Mountain Stringband will lead the Traditional Dance workshop. Both have done much to preserve regional dance techniques: Emily has taught dancing as part of the Mt. Rogers School music program since its inception and Martha has participated in numerous Master Flatfoot Dancing workshops and performances. Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to learn footwork from this mother/daughter duo. The moderated workshop will be 60 minutes in a small group setting. This is a private workshop, open only to workshop ticket holders.
TIME: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Museum's Victorian Parlor
COST: Free, pre-registration & special workshop ticket required.
SONGWRITING WORKSHOP with TIM STAFFORD
Don’t miss this exciting and unique opportunity! The songwriting workshop will be taught by award winning songwriter, Tim Stafford of the band Blue Highway. Tim's songwriting talent is reflected throughout Blue Highway’s repertoire and in recordings by artists such as Ronnie Bowman, Claire Lynch, Mountain Heart, Dan Tyminski, the Lonesome River Band, Larry Sparks, The Infamous Stringdusters, Kenny and Amanda Smith and Alecia Nugent. "Through the Window of a Train", co-written by Tim and Steve Gulley and recorded by Blue Highway, won IBMA's Song of the Year award in 2008. "Born With A Hammer in my Hand," co-written with Shawn Lane, was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2000 IBMA Awards. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss songwriting in a one-on-one environment with Tim. The moderated workshop will be 1 1/2 hours in a small group setting. This is a private workshop, open only to workshop ticket holders.
TIME: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Museum's Victorian Parlor
COST: $25 per person, pre-registration & special workshop ticket required.
In addition to the performances and workshops, the festival will also include musical competitions, jams, a children’s area, and the “Stitch in Time” Quilt Show. Antique, food, and craft vendors will also be on hand. Tickets for the Gathering in the Gap Music Festival and its workshops are now available through the Southwest Virginia Museum. Festival admission for adults ages 13 and over is $12.00 in advance or $15.00 if purchased the day of the event. Children under 12 are free. To purchase tickets using a check or credit card, please call the museum at 276-523-1322. You may also purchase tickets in person at the Southwest Virginia Museum during regular operating hours. For additional information and a full schedule of events, please visit the festival website.
