The musical society will host a free concert at the Bell Theater in Pineville on Tuesday, May 25, at 7 p.m. to celebrate the academy’s commencement.
The concert will feature performances by Dale Ann Bradley, Steve Gulley and Common Strings.
Dale Ann Bradley is the reigning International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) female vocalist of the year, a local favorite and a recording artist for Compass Records.
Bradley, who is a Bell County native, has been hailed by Alison Krauss and Ricky Skaggs as one of the greatest vocalists in country and bluegrass music today.
Local favorite Steve Gulley has also won numerous awards in the bluegrass industry, and is a founding member of Pinecastle Records’ own Grasstowne.
Gulley, talented guitarist and accomplished songwriter, has already won esteem from audiences and peers alike for his soaring tenor voice and emotional delivery as an entertainer.
He was a founding member of the bluegrass group Mountain Heart — where he recorded five highly-acclaimed CDs as the lead singer for the band — and has also earned multiple Male Vocalist of the Year nominations from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America.
Gulley has been tapped as a harmony and featured singer on projects like the widely-praised Keith Whitley album, "Sad Songs and Waltzes," and many others including projects by Ronnie Bowman, Dan Tyminski, Tim Stafford, David Parmley, Dale Ann Bradley, Jeff Parker and Grasstowne's own Phil Leadbetter, just to name a few.
Local bluegrass band Common Strings — consisting of Darron and Vanessa Nichols, Ben Jenkins, Ed Jenkins and Kathryn Boggess — will also be performing at the Bell Theater on that evening.
Common Strings, a band deeply rooted in the Appalachian storytelling tradition, are known for their sincere performances and simplistic arrangements — which allows them to shine in the world of folk and bluegrass music.
According to event organizers, the purpose of the upcoming concert is to make the public aware of the opportunities available through the Cumberland River Academy of Bluegrass and Appalachian Music.
The Academy will offer lessons in all acoustic instruments — including teachings in guitar, banjo, fiddle, upright bass, mandolin and piano. Members of the academy will also offer voice lessons, as well as skills in harmony singing.
Individuals interested in mountain dance and clogging will also have an opportunity to learn these skills.
Advice and instruction for small bands, as well as instruction in radio broadcasting, will be available.
Lessons will range from beginner to advanced levels, and anyone from age eight to adult can sign up.
The learning academy also plans to garner corporate sponsorship to establish scholarships. Donations at the concert will be welcomed — to go toward creating scholarship funds.
In addition, the Academy plans to host an intense three-day music camp in the spring of 2011. This event is projected to bring musicians from all over the country to Bell County.
For additional information, call the Bell Theater at (606) 337-3806.
Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@middlesborodailynews.com.
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