Roni Stoneman

The First Lady of Banjo

By popular demand, Roni Stoneman and Storm return to Song of the Mountains. Best known to audiences for her regular appearances during the 20-year run of Hee Haw, Roni is widely respected by the bluegrass community for her tremendous skill as The First Lady of Banjo. Roni began her banjo picking and singing at age four when she performed with her family—The Stonemans--at Constitution Hall in Washington , D.C. She went on to become the first female banjo player to record a bluegrass tune when she appeared on the 1956 album, American Banjo, Scruggs Style. A veteran of major musical venues, including the Grand Ole Opry, she and The Stoneman Family won the first CMA award for Best Vocal Group in 1967.

Celtibillies
www.celtibillies.com

Celtibillies formed in 1994 as a contradance band, and soon began exploring the deep-rooted connections between Celtic music and the Appalachian music of their home region of southwest Virginia. Their music expanded beyond dance tunes to include a wide range of traditional Celtic and Appalachian old-time music and song, as well as original music. The band features Becky Barlow (hammered dulcimer, keyboard and bodhran), Jack Hinshelwood (fiddle and guitar), Tim Sauls (banjo, bouzouki and guitar), and Jeff Hofmann (bass). Celtibillies performances are an energetic mixture of duet vocal arrangements and spirited jigs, reels, waltzes and breakdowns. Bluegrass Unlimited magazine has described their musical style as “a masterful work of art that transcends all musical genres."

Scott Fore & His Hillbilly Hot Club

Smyth County native Scott Fore brings his Hillbilly Hot Club for a debut performance at The Lincoln Theatre. Scott is a master guitarist, having claimed first place at the Galax Fiddlers Convention, the Doc Watson Guitar Championship, and the Wayne C. Henderson Guitar Championship. He also placed second in the National Flatpicking Championship. Not bad for a self-taught guitarist. Scott & the Hillbilly Hot Club call the Roanoke Valley their home and draw from a repertoire of old-time music, bluegrass and gypsy jazz.

The VW Boys
www.vwboys.com

VW Boys performing at a 2005 Song of the Mountains Show

The VW Boys blend music, magic and comedy to present a complete variety show. Their performance credits range from Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN to openings for comedic greats such as Jerry Clower and Don Knotts. Members are Tim White (banjo, vocals), Dave Vaught (guitar, vocals), and Larry McPeak (bass, vocals). Their latest CD, Pickin’ Chicken, includes chicken stories by Tom T. Hall and Jimmy Martin, and is available on Fat Dog Records.

Clarence "Tater" Tate
www.cumberlandhighlanders.com/meetthehigh.html

At Denton, NC, July 9, 1993. Photo by Michelle Durham

When Tater Tate heard Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs cut loose with "Train 45" on WCYB out of Bristol, "that sound just sent cold chills up my spine," and prompted the mandolin/guitar player to pick up a fiddle and bow. Tater went on to work with Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys for more years than anyone else, and was Lester Flatts' last fiddle player. He's performed on over 60 albums with various artists, and is a regular on The Grand Ol' Opry.

Virginia Cross Ties
www.virginiacrossties.com

Fine Bluegrass Gospel Music

Virginia Cross Ties hold to the rich sound of Mountain Bluegrass Gospel, which the area of Southwest Virginia is well known for. The tight harmonies of the Virginia Cross Ties have that Appalachian Mountain sound described by some as "High Lonesome". Almost all their material is done in 4-part harmony. Members are Millard Edwards (5-string banjo, tenor), Mark Baker(lead guitar, baritone), Josh Jessee (mandolin,bass vocals), and Al Domingue (Bass, baritone vocals). Still Working is their latest album released in May 2005 with We-R-One Records containing 12 original songs written by current and former band members, and 2 traditional old time favorites.