Lee Street Theatre has staged some very well-received shows featuring talented local singers over the past few years.
Since 2009, the organization has wanted to produce a show featuring country and bluegrass music. And now, finally, it’s happening.
“Songs Down A Country Road” will be presented at the Black Box of the Looking Glass Artist Collective for two nights only, Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25.
Talented local singers and musicians Matthew Weaver, Carol Harris, Tripp Edwards, Mary Gillespie, and Graham Carlton will come together to perform over two hours of popular country western and bluegrass hits.
Matthew Weaver is a well-known Salisbury musician who has appeared at the Grand Ole Opry. He recently performed a show with the Rowan County Concert Association. From 1994-1999 he traveled and performed with the bluegrass off-Broadway show “Smoke on the Mountain.” He’s performed at Tweetsie Railroad and at Dollywood and has appeared on PBS’s “Across the Blue Ridge.” He’s recorded eight CDs.
Tripp Edwards is a multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter. He’s released three solo efforts, “Broken,” “Friday Night Picture Show” and “Free,” as well as one album, “Born of Red Clay,” with his band, Yadkin River Theory.
Graham Carlton is a local attorney and musician who has been a member of the Salisbury Swing Band since it began in 2007. He’s been active with the Piedmont Players, both as a musician and musical director, as well as appearing on stage. He has played guitar for Catawba College productions, the Salisbury Symphony and the Big Band Bash.
Originally from Ohio, Carol Harris has lived in Salisbury for more than 10 years. She’s been a regular in Lee Street Theatre music shows at the Black Box and recently appeared at the Rowan Blues and Jazz Festival with her sons Phillip and E.W. Harris.
Mary Gillespie loves to play the guitar and sing when she’s not working at Salisbury Therapeutic Masasage.
The performances will include over 30 solos, duets and group songs spread over two sets with an intermission. Just a few of the songs include: “Country Roads,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Angel from Montgomery,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hey Good Lookin’,” “Jackson,” “I Go Out Walking,” and “Rocky Top.”
Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30. Looking Glass Artists Collective is located at 405 N. Lee Street (at the corner of Kerr).
Lee Street Theatre is not set up to pre-sell tickets or take reservations, so guests are urged to come early and enjoy the art gallery and the LGAC artists’ shop. Seating is limited.
Admission is $10. Beer and wine will be available courtesy of The Sweetest Thing Bakery.
For more information, contact leestreettheatre@gmail.com.
Cover photo is by Staton Carter.