Spotlight on Moonshine Racers

Live Bluegrass with Moonshine Racers, Friday the 13th at the Blue Vine.

Coming to Salisbury this Friday

Friday the 13th will be lucky for the people who come to The Blue Vine this week, because they will get to hear the band Moonshine Racers.

Describing themselves as “prograssive y’allternative," the North Carolina-based band has existed since early 2001, playing numerous festivals, clubs, and private events.

Members have shared the stage with such musical greats as Doc Watson, Moe, Acoustic Syndicate, The Larry Keel Experience, Curtis Burch, the Gibson Brothers, David Allen Coe, Goose Creek Symphony, Darrell Scott, Guy Clark, and the Seldom Scene.

The band draws on a variety of influences including bluegrass, classic country, jazz, blues, old-time, gospel, rock and roll and American roots music. These individual members of the band have almost 100 years of combined musical experience among them:

Cito Giulini, lead guitarist and vocalist, combines his Latin upbringing (born in Caracas, Venezuela) and his classical guitar training to create a unique and compelling guitar style which can range from soft and subtle to towering and powerful. He is alumni of the popular North Carolina jam bands Liquid Sound and the Other People;

Tommy Rapé, banjo player, is a native of the Charlotte area and began playing at an early age in school bands. He started on stringed instruments with guitar but soon found his affinity for the banjo and started developing the “hot as a firecracker” style he still uses today;

Fudd McKinney, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, draws upon his Appalachian mountain heritage and love of bluegrass and roots music to write songs that reach back into the past but are also firmly planted in the present. His passion is educating himself and others about the many varied musical styles he loves;

Steve Keim is a bass player from Charlotte who has been playing live throughout the Carolinas for at least 20 years and provides a solid foundation for the rhythm section. He has played off and on with Fudd and Cito and was an original member of the Newcastle Boys;

Matt Miller, mandolinist, (aka Shorty), has played in Charlotte and surrounding areas since 2001 and as a member of Tater and Laughin’ Gravy. Matt started playing mandolin in 1995 and hasn’t looked back since. His style emulates Sam Bush, Bill Monroe and David Grisman although his favorite influence is the Wizard himself, Mike Marshall. Other projects include Leisure McCorkle and Jerry and Ray and GC/DC.

You can check out the band’s downloadable music at www.moonshineracers.com.

Moonshine Racers will be playing 9 p.m. to midnight this Friday. There will be a $5 cover charge.

The Blue Vine is located at 209 S. Main St. For information, call 704-797-0093, or visit www.the bluevine.com.