I haven’t yet had the opportunity to venture out to the Shelby, North Carolina area for this museum, whose team has always been gracious to us here at Gary Hayes Country. I haven’t gotten to do much traveling since late 2019, as many of us haven’t I’m sure!
The majority of the museums, and venues have re opened ( with guidelines ), making the road life seem tempting again. In fact, the amount of shows pouring in from all directions is uncanny. The amount of festivals coming through with lineups, are equally in high volume.
Tonight, I prepare to ride down to Nashville to help lend my hands into reviving our starving music community. ALL of our venues and festival communities NEED US right now, PLEASE do not hesitate to help in any way you can.
A few years back, they announced the opening of The EArl Scruggs Center which is a huge interactive museum and learning center. My current musical bucket list is so large, and will take a long time to make up for all of this lost time. But I assure you, in the next few months I will be taking the trip out there.
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
Live music returns to the Great Hall at the Earl Scruggs Center with the Summer Concert Series.
Tickets for each show are limited, so purchase early to save your seat!
THURSDAY
MAY 13
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
TICKETS: $10
Andrew Finn Magill in Concert
Join us for an evening performance with Andrew Finn Magill.
Since Andrew (Finn) Magill’s Roots debuted at #46 on the Folk DJ charts in 2016, Magill has been headlining Irish festivals across the U.S. and touring internationally. He has carved out a name for himself in Irish, American, Jazz and Brazilian music and has been featured on TEDx, NPR, MTV, and Avianca in-flight entertainment. He is a 2019 North Carolina Arts Council Fellow, All-Ireland Fiddle finalist, and Ropeadope Recording artist.
Join us for a concert with the American Songster, Dom Flemons.
Dom Flemons is originally from Phoenix, Arizona and currently lives in the Chicago area with his family. He has branded the moniker The American Songster® since his repertoire of music covers over 100 years of early American popular music. Flemons is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, actor, slam poet, music scholar, historian, and record collector. He is considered an expert player on the banjo, guitar, harmonica, jug, percussion, quills, fife and rhythm bones. Flemons was selected for the prestigious 2020 United States Artists Fellowship Award for the Traditional Arts category which was generously supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
The Tray Wellington Band is a high energy, acoustic newgrass group led by banjo virtuoso, IBMA award winner, and 2019 Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year, Tray Wellington. This group pushes the bounds of bluegrass music, incorporating Bossa Nova, Jazz, and Blues elements to their originals to create a unique and exciting new sound while paying tribute to their bluegrass heroes.
Rissi Palmer’s gift lies in reaching across all musical boundaries. While she made her mark in Country Music, she is equally at home in R&B music, bringing the entire spectrum of popular music to bear on music she calls “Southern Soul.”
Visit Cleveland County – Carolina’s Land of Rhythm.
THURSDAY
JULY 15
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
TICKETS: $20
If Instruments Could Talk with Darin Aldridge and Presley Barker
You’re invited to join award-winning musician Darin Aldridge as he shares the captivating stories behind a number of beautifully hand-crafted stringed instruments from the personal collection he has amassed over 25 years of playing professionally. Guitar virtuoso Presley Barker joins Aldridge for a performance displaying the resonance of the instruments and the duo’s expertise as musicians.
Daniel + Carley brings bluegrass and gospel harmonies together with a progressive instrumental sound. This heartwarming show will be full of old favorites and original songs.
Special thanks to the Don and Carla Beam Family Foundation, presenting sponsors of our Summer Concert Series.
Please note that masks and social distancing are required in the Earl Scruggs Center. To keep our visitors, performers, and staff safe, the ESC follows all Covid-19 regulations required by the state of NC and recommended by the CDC.
The Earl Scruggs Center combines the life story of legendary five-string banjo master and Cleveland County native, Earl Scruggs, with the unique and engaging story of the history and cultural traditions of the region in which Mr. Scruggs was born and raised. It was in the nearby Flint Hill community where Mr. Scruggs learned to play banjo and began the three-finger playing style that has come to be known around the world as “Scruggs Style.”
The Earl Scruggs Center explores Mr. Scruggs’ innovative career and the community that gave it shape while celebrating how he crossed musical boundaries and defined the voice of the banjo to the world. Mr. Scruggs embraced tradition while also adapting to the changing times and looking toward the future—themes which resonate throughout the Center. Engaging exhibits, special event space and rich programming provide a uniquely rich experience for visitors.