Sunday, Jan. 8, the Reynolds Homestead will kick off its 2017 season of the American Music Series with its annual youth concert featuring ShadowGrass and Presley Barker.
The concert begins at 2:30 p.m. and tickets are $8 per person. Students under age 15 are admitted free.
At age 12, Presley Barker has been playing acoustic guitar for five years and has always enjoyed listening to bluegrass, old time and gospel music. Presley has been influenced and mentored by Steve Lewis, Wayne Henderson, and Bryan Sutton.
He quickly emerged as an astonishingly gifted flat picker and entertainer, as is each member of ShadowGrass.
Band members include Presley Barker on guitar, Kitty Amaral on fiddle, Clay Russell on banjo, Luke Morris on mandolin and Kyser George on bass.
ShadowGrass is a group of young musicians from western North Carolina and southwestern Virginia who crossed paths at local fiddler’s conventions in the summer of 2014. They began a musical journey that has led them to play and compete together.
Although they have their own style, ShadowGrass is honored to be playing in the shadow of great bluegrass legends. Holding to their bluegrass roots, fast picking, and fresh arrangements have earned the band numerous awards in youth and adult competitions across the region.
ShadowGrass has had the privilege of playing at venues such as Heartwood and The Crooked Road, The Blue Ridge Music Center, The Lincoln Theatre, The Historic Earle Theatre, and at festivals such as the National Folk Festival, MerleFest, HoustonFest, the Richmond Folk Festival, and SPGBMA.
They were honored to be chosen as a featured youth band for the IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival in Raleigh, N.C., in 2016.
ShadowGrass is looking forward to contributing to the heritage of bluegrass music for years to come.
Tickets will be sold at the door. They are $8 for adults, 15 and younger are admitted free. To reserve tickets, call (276) 694-7181.
Refreshments will be served, and dancing is encouraged. These concerts are presented due to the generous sponsorship of Friends of Reynolds Homestead and Valley Star Credit Union.
