Sunday, June 25, 2023 at Ebbs Chapel, Mars Hill (presented by the Madison County Arts Council), 4:00 pm
Donna Ray Norton with Josh Goforth, Bayla Davis with Cary Fridley, and The Allen Boys with Kelley Breiding
Listen to live collaborations of seasoned traditional artists and emerging musicians of Western NC! These concerts are the exciting culmination of the Blue Ridge Music Trails’ trailblazing musical project called Fine Tuned. This initiative connects Western NC musicians for a shared growth experience to enrich the current traditional music of the NC mountains and foothills. With the support of the North Carolina Arts Council’s Spark the Arts Grant, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is proud to present the Fine Tuned Concert Series.
When English ballad collector Cecil Sharp called Madison County “a nest of singing birds,” he didn’t know it yet, but he was describing Donna Ray Norton. An eight-generation ballad singer raised in the Sodom community of Madison County, Donna Ray Norton carries on the musical legacy of her family and her home. Donna Ray’s work with fellow Madison County native and Grammy nominee, Josh Goforth, fuses the “old love songs” with a dash of something new.
Bayla Davis is still in her teens, but she’s already making waves with her banjo prowess and emotive vocals. Cary Fridley has had a lengthy career as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist across an impressive range of styles. Cary has shared her experience and knowledge of country music harmony singing, and Bayla has brought her own banjo spark to some fresh reimagining of well-loved standards.
The Allen Boys carry the torch for the Sacred Steel musical tradition out of their church in Mount Airy. Kelley Breiding is well-versed in Surry County’s Round Peak style as well as country and Western Swing stylings. Together, these musicians have fused their respective Surry County styles into one exciting sound.
