We’re excited to present a Traditional Music Heritage Weekend at White Horse with 3 concerts on 3 nights!
Friday, September 15 – The UNCA Bluegrass Band, at 8:00 PM
- The UNCA Bluegrass Band is a highly energetic and entertaining ensemble made up entirely of university students and their instructor, Wayne Erbsen. The band features red hot instrumentals on banjo, three fiddles, mandolin, guitar dobro, cello, and bass, along with powerful and heartfelt vocals. Their rich repertoire includes traditional bluegrass, western swing, blues, old-time fiddle tunes, and gospel. They have performed at many venues in western North Carolina and at the World of Bluegrass festival in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door ($10 for Students)
Saturday, September 16 – The McLain Family Band, at 8:00 PM
- Hailing from Eastern Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains, the McLain Family Band have become internationally known as one of the most spontaneous, creative and spirited groups performing original and traditional bluegrass music.
Television appearances include, NBC’s Today Show, the CBS Morning News, ABC’s Good Morning America, The Pearl Bailey PBS Special, The Johnny Cash Christmas Special, and appearances on the BBC and CBC.
The McLains have performed in 64 countries as musical ambassadors of the U.S. State Department, and in all 50 of the United States. They have appeared at Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Museum, The Kennedy Center, The Lincoln Center, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, and the Grand Ole Opry.
Great favorites on symphony orchestra pops concerts, the McLain Family Band has been featured with leading pops conductors such as: Erich Kunzel, Mitch Miller, Newton Wayland, and Richard Hayman. In over 250 appearances with orchestras including those of Cleveland, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Louisville, Oakland and Phoenix as well as the National Symphony, The Houston Pops, and the Calgary and Buffalo philharmonics.
The McLain Family Band combines the vocal and instrumental talents of Raymond W. McLain, Ruth McLain, Al White, Alice McLain White, and Daxson Lewis. The McLains have made numerous recordings for Country Life Records.
Tickets: $20 in advance or $22 at the door
Sunday, September 17 – Sourwood Ridge, at 7:30 PM
- Traditional mountain music from the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina by some of the finest regional artists. For tonight’s performance, Sourwood Ridge welcomes special guest, fiddler Branson Raines.
Craig Bannerman Bass Guitar, Vocals
Craig started playing traditional Appalachian and bluegrass music in 1973. He has played mandolin, guitar, dulcimers and bass. He has played with many bands over the past 40 years and is well known in the Western North Carolina music scene. He is serving as a member of the Folk Heritage Committee in Asheville. He also plays bass and sings in Crooked Pine. He has a family history of clogging and mountain dance nationally and internationally.
Scott Owenby Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals,
Born and raised in Asheville, NC but currently resides in Marshall, NC with his wife Wendy and their children Isaiah and Hannah Grace. By the age of 7, he began receiving his first guitar lesson, given by his Mammaw Blanks while sitting in her kitchen. From that time, he went on to sing and play with several local gospel and bluegrass groups in and around the Asheville area.
Troy Harrison Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
Troy has been playing music for over 30 years. A multi-instrumentalist, he plays mainly banjo, mandolin and guitar while carrying on the traditions of his family and community from Madison County. The legendary banjo player and ballad singer, Obray Ramsey was a major influence on Troy’s music. He also plays with the band Crooked Pine.
Branson Raines
Branson is a native to Asheville, NC and comes from a family in which music rings and folks sing off-the-porch strong. Branson became a student of famed fiddler Arvil Freeman and he shared his knowledge with Branson for 3 years until officially graduating from his tutelage; receiving a diploma from Freeman himself. During his time playing fiddle for NEA Heritage Award winner Sheila Kay Adams, he received the offer to attend Davis & Elkins College and play fiddle for the Davis & Elkins Appalachian Ensemble. He mainly spends his time playing bluegrass, old-time, and country fiddle around Asheville and around the country.
Tickets: $12 in advance or $15 at the door
