GOLD HILL — The Ralph Pennington Memorial Bluegrass Reunion will take place on Friday and Saturday Aug. 24-25, at Gold Hill Mines Historic Park, Gold Hill. The event commemorates the life of long time musician and luthier, Ralph Pennington.
Many noted bluegrass musicians and bands will participate in the two-day event, which begins Friday evening with a bluegrass and old time music jam and open mike hosted by the E.H. Montgomery General Store in the village of Gold Hill.
Saturday’s entertainment will begin at noon at the Russell-Rufty Memorial Shelter in the park. Numerous regional musicians will be honored during the day on Saturday for their commitment to and continued support of Bluegrass and old time music.
John Santa, author of “Bluegrass Is My Second Language” will present a program, “The Culture of Bluegrass Music in North Carolina” at noon in the Russell-Rufty Center to kick off the Saturday’s entertainment. The presentation, sponsored by the North Carolina Humanities Council, traces the history and evolution of Bluegrass Music in the Old North State.
Santa, an award-winning producer and musician, plays 18 instruments. He was voted Teacher of the Year at Piedmont Community College. He has founded the Marathon Jam for Charity (www.marathonjam.com) which has spread around the country and even overseas.
Santa’s presentation will be followed by a full schedule of performing bands throughout the day and into the evening. Hambones of Rockwell will cater with barbecue plates, hot dogs and drinks available. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
For more information call Vivian Hopkins, 704-267-9439.
Schedule of performers:
12 noon John Santa
1:30 p.m. Jim and Angela Gobble
2 p.m. Gospel Plowboys
2:45 p.m. Sons of the South w/ Heritage honoree Tommy Killian
3:30 p.m. Tommy Cloer Band
4:15 p.m. Heritage Set hosted by Chuck Harris with Johnny Fenlayson, Bob Shue, R.C. Harris, L.W. Lambert, Ken Poovey
5 p.m. Dave Leatherman Heritage Set w/ The Gospel Plowboys
5:45 p.m. Al Wood Heritage Set
6:30 p.m. Heritage Set hosted by Jeff Michael w/ Sam Martin, Roy McMillan, Tom Isenhour, Ronnie Prevette, Harold Killian, Luther Chandler, Tut Taylor, James Randolph, Dewey Farmer and others
7:15 p.m. Steve Harrill w/Heritage Honoree James Shoe
8:00 p.m. Southern Junction
8:45 p.m. Grass Strings
9:30 p.m. TBA