The Ashe County Civic Center hosts a variety of events all year long. Featured here are concerts and events that feature Western North Carolina’s traditional mountain music, song, and dance.
Upcoming Bluegrass, Old-time, Blues bands:
- July 25, 2023 – Mountain Home Music Matinee: Asa Nelson, 2:00PM – 3:15PM
Nelson is a 17-year-old native of Watauga County, who declared at age 4, “I wanna play the fiddle, Mama!” He took part in the Boone JAM program from age 5-13. In that program, and subsequent to that, he has been fortunate to study under some of the finest old-time musical talents anywhere. Outside of music, you may find him fishing, cooking, playing golf, or developing his carpentry skills. He will finish high school next year and is considering attending ETSU for construction and old-time music.
This is a “Pay as you Exit” concert with a $10 suggested donation, proceeds support Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music.
- August 22, 2023 – Mountain Home Music Matinee: Charles Welch, 2:00PM – 3:15PM
Charles Welch, guitarist and close friend of the late Doc Watson. Welch has been playing the guitar and harmonica for over 30 years and performs a variety of folk, blues, traditional, and Americana styles.
This is a “Pay as you Exit” concert with a $10 suggested donation, proceeds support Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music.
- September 26, 2023 – Mountain Home Music Matinee: Wilcox, Smith & Lane, 2:00PM – 3:15PM
Wilcox, Smith, Lane features Diana Wilcox, Tommy Smith, and Gary Lane, 3 friends who bonded over their love of John Prine music and now play a variety of 60’s and 70’s folk rock along with some murder ballads and other songs that you will recognize and love.
This is a “Pay as you Exit” concert with a $10 suggested donation, proceeds support Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music.
- October 24, 2023 – Mountain Home Music Matinee: Educated Guess, 2:00PM – 3:15PM
Boone, NC-based Educated Guess, an exciting and innovative jazz-funk fusion trio from Boone, North Carolina. Their music ranges from high-energy and exhilarating funk tunes to soothing jazz, full of complex harmony and melody. The members, Alvin Carlisle, Nick Williams, and Kendrick Davis, first made music together in their church band and decided to use their musical and social chemistry to create new and engaging music for all people. Overall, they are driven by innovation, self-expression, and exploration in music. Their debut EP, SHIFT!, is out on streaming in early March.
This is a “Pay as you Exit” concert with a $10 suggested donation, proceeds support Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music.
This programming is provided by Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music with support from the Ashe County Arts Council through the Jane Lonon Legacy Fund Grant. You can read more about Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music on their website!
The Mountain Home Music Matinee Concert Series was designed to be both educational and interactive and to provide an affordable outlet for families, senior communities, area visitors, and anyone who prefers afternoon performances in an accessible and welcoming atmosphere. The series is a 2023 recipient of the Ashe County Arts Council’s Jane Lonon Legacy Fund Grant, which supports projects that feature the fine arts, performing arts or heritage arts that contribute to tourism and economic development and celebrate the heritage of Ashe County and the Appalachian region.
Mountain Home Music can help regional activity directors, churches, schools and summer camps in surrounding counties plan a trip to the mountains that includes programming highlighting Appalachian culture. For recommendations to help plan your day, contact Executive Director Courtney Wheeler at joeshannonsmountainhomemusic@
Since 1994, Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music has proudly celebrated Appalachian music, singing, storytelling, and dance, supporting working artists and providing accessible cross-generational arts experiences for High Country audiences.
