To celebrate 20 years of shows, the Patrick County Music Association (PCMA) has a ‘Tri-Fest’ of shows scheduled for the rest of the year.
PCMA President Denny Alley said the final three performances of the year were packaged as the Tri-Fest to attract interest in all the shows and promote them as one big package, which includes the Christmas show.
The first of the Tri-Fest shows, called the Opry Show, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Rotary Building in Stuart. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the music will start at 6 p.m.
The headlining band is Sideline, a six-piece Bluegrass group that includes Stuart native Nick Goad on the mandolin. Other performers include Mack Shutt, Scarlett Norman, Miller Hopkins, By Grace Band, Joey Lemons, and Country Boys Band.
According to its website, Sideline was formed in 2012 as a “jam band” for a group of friends that played professionally in other bands. Group members started playing together as a fun alternative when their bands were not performing. Soon, the group discovered its own identity and style, and members realized their tour schedule was getting full. The members decided to take a leap of faith and commit to the group full time.
After performing in Stuart, Sideline has several performances scheduled in other areas, including serving as the host band for the Outer Banks Bluegrass Island Festival in Manteo, N.C., Oct. 20-22.
Admission is $5 at the door. Lawn chairs are encouraged, and masks are preferred. 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.
The November show will be a Veteran Appreciation Show, and the December show will feature Patrick native Sammy Shelor and his Lonesome River Band (LRB). Shelor is a five-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Banjo Player of the Year and winner of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass. Shelor’s band is among the most respected names in bluegrass music.
“You don’t get a better Christmas present than a free Lonesome River Band concert,” Alley said.
He began laying the foundation for the PCMA in 1999 when he invited local musicians to gather at his café, The Coffee Break, to perform.
“I told the guys I’d give them somewhere to hang out and play music and give them something to eat. That’s how we started,” he said.
The first performance was held in Aug. 2002, with Buddy Pendleton serving as the headlining act.
“It’s been a long 20 years. Managing and looking after the lineup of the talent and sponsors for 20 years it’s been quite a job,” Alley said.
For more information or to watch past music performances, visit Facebook.com/PatrickCountyMusicAssociation.
