Blue Ridge Parkway
Summer’s not over by any stretch, but it won’t be much longer before the temps get chilly up on the Blue Ridge Parkway of Nelson County. There’s still plenty of time to enjoy some outdoor hiking and entertainment up there before the days turn cold and snowy! Here before you know it!
This coming Sunday afternoon promises to be a great afternoon of bluegrass at Humpback Rocks Mountain Farm (MP-5.8) on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Jim Gallaher (mandolin) grew up in Lynchburg, VA and played in bluegrass, rock’n’roll and jazz bands in the 70’s and 80’s before moving to Staunton in 1989. He gave up music for over 10 years before starting to play bluegrass mandolin again in 2000.
Dawn Miller (bass) was born in Hot Springs, VA and began singing at age 10, learning guitar at age 12 from her mother Geta McCune. She has performed with several area bands over a 20-year career, including an ongoing duet with husband Kenny Miller. She is a resident of Singers Glen, VA.
Anthony VanPelt (fiddle) is originally from Harrisonburg, VA and has been a classical violinist since age 4. He has a BA in Violin Performance from EMU & JMU and an MM in Composition from Shenandoah Conservatory. He is a member of the Lexington Symphony and his original works have been performed in Europe, China, Japan, Mexico, Guam, and throughout the United States. He currently teaches violin in the Rockingham County area.
Dale Wenger (banjo) grew up near Harrisonburg, VA. He started playing guitar at age 6 and joined his first bluegrass group at age 16. His mastery of the “melodic” style of bluegrass banjo made popular by Bill Keith, Tony Trischka, Alison Brown and Bela Fleck is especially well-suited to Loose Gravel’s contemporary sound.
Rick Hensley (guitar) of Pineville, VA joined the original quartet in early 2007 and adds more lead vocals and a solid bluegrass guitar presence to the band. Rick is a veteran of another regional bluegrass band, Grassy Ridge.
Loose Gravel has been a featured musical guest three time on Jeff Ishee’s “Virginia Farming” show on WVPT-TV in Harrisonburg, which has resulted in syndicated appearances on Dish Network’s RFD-TV. The band’s most recent “Virginia Farming” appearance on July 4, 2008 highlighted five original songs by various band members. The band has also appeared on the Noontime Show on WHSV-TV in Harrisonburg.
Recent regional appearances include opening at Court Square Theater on October 11, 2007 for Rounder recording artist Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain, performing at the 2008 Eastern National Meet of the Antique Automobile Club of America in Cumberland, MD, “Jamboree in the Park” in Staunton, and multiple appearances at the Staunton Farmers Market and the Blue Ridge Parkway’s well-established series of musical events at Humpback Rocks.
Loose Gravel on the web: http://loosegravelbluegrass.com/
That’s this Sunday from 2-4PM on August 21, at Humpback Rocks Mountain Farm , Milepost 5.8
on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Enjoy the music and other Appalachian farm activities. Admission is free!
For more info call : 540-943-4716
We have heard Loose Gravel at Humpback before and they are very good. There is nothing better than a classical fiddler!