"Sunset Music Series" starts Friday, June 15 at Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center

The Early Morning String Dusters will kick off the 7th annual "Sunset Music Series" on Friday, June 15 at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.

TOWNSEND,TN -- The Early Morning String Dusters will kick off the 7th annual "Sunset Music Series" on Friday, June 15 at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.

Amidst a backdrop of Smoky Mountain splendor, all concerts will be held in the center's covered outdoor amphitheater at 7:00 p.m.

For over 30 years the Early Morning String Dusters have been recognized as one of East Tennessee's most entertaining "party" bluegrass bands. The group relied on comedy, parodies of classic tunes and hard driving, fast paced picking at special events to make themselves known. In 2008, Americana radio station WDVX began showcasing the band at various public concerts, leading to a series of shows throughout East Tennessee. Their performance on June 15 will be their debut at the Heritage Center.

Four other bands will be performing for the first time at the Heritage Center.

• J. C. & The Dirty Smokers, featuring vocalist J. C. Haun, play classic honky-tonk and "outlaw-style" country music and western swing.

• George Harper Band -- Nashville native, George Harper, is still based near Music City, but he recently bought a house in Townsend and is looking forward to bringing his band with dobro player Donnie Winters to the Heritage Center.

• Detroit Daddies - Harmonica player Michael Crawley, guitarist "Detroit" Dave Meer, and pianist Ben Maney have each performed at the Center with other bands, but this will be their first appearance together with the Detroit Daddies.

• Mountain Soul -- taps deep Appalachian roots with Bluegrass tones and three-part harmonies.


Returning by popular demand are:

• Jerry Butler & The Blu-J's

• The John Myers Band

• Wild Blue Yonder

The "Sunset Music Series" is presented by Boyd's Jig & Reel.

Admission to the concerts is $5.00 and may be purchased at the door. Admission is free to all Sunset Music Series concerts for members of the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center. Annual memberships to the Heritage Center may be purchased at the concerts for $15 per individual or $25 per family.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages are available at the concession stand.

Schedule:

Friday, June 17 - Early Morning String Dusters; Classic Bluegrass
Friday, June 22 - Jerry Butler & The Blu-J's; Classic Country, Bluegrass, and Gospel
Friday, June 29 - John Myers Band; Country, Gospel, and Soul
Friday, July 13 - J. C. & The Dirty Smokers; Country, Rockabilly, and Western Swing
Friday, July 20 - George Harper Band with Donnie Winters; Bluegrass, Country, and Roots Music
Friday, July 27 - Wild Blue Yonder; Bluegrass, Country, and Folk
Friday, August 3 - Detroit Daddies; Americana, Blues, and Rock
Friday, August 10 - Mountain Soul; Bluegrass and Appalachian Roots Music

Published June 11, 2012