PCMA to hold first show of the year

The Patrick County Music Association (PCMA) will kick off the year with a series of shows before a summer break.

River Ridge, a country-bluegrass band started by Spencer Strickland, and Jus’ Cauz, a bluegrass group from Danville, are set to perform on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Rotary Building in Stuart. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the music will start at 6 p.m.

PCMA President Denny Alley said Jus’ Cauz are a group known for putting on a good show. 

Stickland’s “a luthier, and he builds mandolins and guitars. He’s from Lambsburg, Virginia,” he said.

Strickland, a well-known East Coast musician, is known for performing the introduction to “Song of the Mountains,” a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) program that features bluegrass, Americana, and old-time music.

Alley said the PCMA’s December show, Sammy Shelor’s Banjorama, was well attended.

“It’s the biggest show we’ve had since before COVID. There were approximately 375 to 400 people there. That was the show,” he said.

That show also was filmed for television by two different networks.

“I had the DVDs that they made and edited. I had 12 DVDs and I’ve sold them all. I need to get some more of those,” Alley said.

The February show will be a Mandolin Festival featuring Alan Bibey and Grasstowne. 

Bibey, a known figure in the bluegrass tradition, has recorded 17 albums as a solo act and with different groups and appeared on over a dozen more albums.

Jeff Little Trio, a bluegrass piano player, and New River Line, a country quartet, will perform at the March show.

Admission is a $5 donation at the door. Lawn chairs are encouraged, and prizes will be awarded throughout the night. 

Concessions will be available for purchase from the Patrick County Shooting Education Team, with proceeds going to teach children in the area firearm safety.

For more information or to watch past music performances, visit Facebook.com/PatrickCountyMusicAssociation.