MECC Foundation Hosts Alumni and Friends Reunion and Concert

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kaitlynbaker_publicity5_bychansesimpsonBig Stone Gap, VA __ The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation will host the MECC Alumni and Friends Reunion to be held on Saturday, November 12, at 6 p.m. in the Goodloe Center of Phillips-Taylor Hall on the MECC campus.

“Come Home to MECC” is the theme of the evening featuring receptions and a concert by Pound, Virginia native Kaitlyn Baker, and opening band, Scratch River Telegraph Company from Wise. This free event is open to all alumni and college friends and is an opportunity to connect with friends, former classmates, and faculty.

There is no fee to attend, but guests are asked to register for the event on the MECC Foundation website, www.meccfoundation.org. Seating for the concert is limited to 400 and once all tickets are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, the event will be sold out.

Kaitlyn Baker’s music reflects the beauty of the mountains and the ruggedness of the coal mining culture in which she was raised. Indeed, this 21-year-old singer/songwriter has been referred to as a new “coal miner’s daughter.” Kaitlyn Baker recently produced a video of her song “Heart of Appalachia,” which is being used to promote tourism and economic development in southwest Virginia. Her ballad “Coal Train,” which was inspired by her hometown, was included in the official 2015 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards ZinePak, alongside tracks by such superstars as Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Florida-Georgia Line, Luke Bryan and others. The 2-CD compilation debuted at #4 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart and remained in the Top 10 for three consecutive weeks.

Scratch River Telegraph Company will open the concert. The band performs rock ‘n’ roll music, but also draws inspiration and musical elements from blues, folk, rockabilly, and country. The band has shared the stage with acts such as The Delta Saints, The Steepwater Band, Wayne Graham, Red County Gospel, The Rickshaw Roadshow, and Folk Soul Revival, among many others. They have been a part of music festivals including the Gentlemen of the Road Stopover, the Blue Plum Festival in Johnson City, Tennessee, and the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion.

MECC is pleased to host these popular local artists for this first-ever event. Appreciation is expressed to Norton Community Hospital for helping sponsor the event receptions.

For more information about the MECC Alumni and Friends Reunion, call or e-mail Jeri Bledsoe at 276.523.2400, extension 287, or e-mail at jbledsoe@mecc.edu.