Saturday, May 16th, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert of bluegrass music by the Duty Free Band. Duty Free is a bluegrass band based in Bristol, Tennessee. Members of the band are Bobby Love, Charlie Powers, Rick Powers, Hal Boyd, and Tim Laughlin. Bobby plays mandiolin and demonstrates his versatility as a musician by singing both lead and harmony. He’s a songwriter as well who has written several tunes performed by the group. Charlie plays both lead and rhythm guitar and sings lead and harmony. Rick plays banjo in the traditional Scruggs style and also lends his vocal talent to the band. Hal Boyd anchors the group’s rhythm with his double bass playing and provides the baritone harmony - as well as lead and bass vocals - on many of Duty Free’s tunes. Tim Laughlin, long noted in bluegrass circles for his musical talent, plays fiddle for the band. Admission to the concert is $10 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 11, under age 6 free.
Duty Free was formed a few years ago to provide music for a local restaurant. From that humble beginning, friendships and a bluegrass band resulted. Duty Free has opened for Seldom Scene, Barry Scott and Second Wind, the Warrior River Boys, and the John Cowan Band. They have performed at worship services throughout the Tri-Cities area, local festivals, Rhythm and Roots, and the Barter Theatre. Known for their traditional bluegrass style, they always include bluegrass gospel in their shows. They have also come to be known for their tight harmony and versatile style. For more information, check out the Duty Free Band on the internet.
If traditional bluegrass is your favorite, don’t miss Duty Free at the Carter Family Fold! Bring along your friends and your dancing shoes and get ready for an evening of fun-filled, family entertainment. The Fold is one of the few places where folks of every age group come together to celebrate our region’s musical heritage.
Carter Family Memorial Music Center, Incorporated, is a nonprofit, rural arts organization established to preserve traditional, acoustic, mountain music. For further information on the center, go to http://www.carterfamilyfold.org. Shows from the Carter Family Fold can be accessed on the internet at http://www.carterfoldshow.com.
Carter Music Center is part of the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. You can visit the Crooked Road Music Trail site at http://thecrookedroad.org. Partial funding for programs at the center is provided by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. For recorded information on shows coming up at the Fold, call 276-386-6054. The Fold is on Facebook – page Carter Fold – and Twitter – @carterfoldinfo.
