Contact: Sue Ella Boatright-Wells
October 9th, 2009

38th Home Craft Days Festival and Pro Art present Doc Watson, Jeff Little, and Robin and Linda Williams

When asked to recall a living legend of the acoustic guitar, one name comes to mind: Doc Watson. Doc’s guitar virtuosity is known around the world, but it comes coupled with a deep connection with traditional mountain culture. Although blind from an early age from a congenital eye condition, Arthel “Doc” Watson grew up in Western North Carolina singing folk songs, ballads, hymns, and "playing with anything around the house that made a musical sound." The folk boom of the 1960’s exposed Doc to a wider, international audience, and he has enjoyed tremendous respect as a traditional musician and as an innovator ever since. Eighty years of making music and several Grammy awards have established Doc as a true national treasure.

On Friday, Oct. 16 Mountain Empire Community College and UVA- Wise Pro Art will present Doc and piano wizard, Jeff Little, in the beautiful Goodloe Center on the campus of MECC in Big Stone Gap, VA. Jeff grew up playing with Doc and others at his father’s music store in Boone, NC. While the piano has never been associated with bluegrass and old time music, Jeff makes it sound like a match made in Heaven.

As if that was not special enough, Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group will also take the stage on Friday evening. Robin and Linda are mainstays of the concert hall and festival circuit and are regularly featured on NPR’s Prairie Home Companion. Along with Jim Watson and Jimmy Gaudreau, they will bring amazing harmonies and hard picking tunes executed with style and energy.

Also appearing will be Dale Jett and Hello, Stranger carrying on the legacy of his grandfather, A. P. Carter, and his mother, Janette Carter. Dale’s evocative singing and the band’s tasteful arrangements are proof that, when it comes to music, this apple did not fall far from the tree. Rounding out the concert will be an appearance by the Sheets Family Band, featuring solid family harmonies and great old-time songs.

The 6 pm Friday kickoff will be followed by two days of music, food, demonstrations, and over 200 juried crafts vendors. Over thirty musical, storytelling, and dance acts will perform from 10 am – 6 pm on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 under the big tent overlooking the autumn-kissed Powell Valley. Many of the bluegrass, old time, and gospel groups appearing throughout the weekend are, in the tradition of Home Craft Days, local acts who have played for many years at the festival. This is a tribute to enduring cultural traditions of the region.

All events are free. A full schedule of performances can be found below and on the festival website www.homecraftdays.org or call 276-523-2400 for information.

Mountain Empire Community College
Home Craft Days 2009 Schedule

Saturday, October 17

Sunday, October 18

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