Birthplace of Country Music Alliance to Present Appalachian–Celtic Ceilidh

Bristol, VA-TN The Birthplace of Country Music Alliance (BCMA) held an Appalachian-Celtic Ceilidh at the Paramount Theater in downtown Bristol on Saturday February 8 ,20003 . The show, which is the first of a three part series celebrating the roots of our region’s musical heritage, featured performances influence by the region’s Celtic and Scots-Irish heritage. “Each month, as we approached this summer’s 2003 Smithsonian Institution’s Folklife Festival, the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance recognized and celebrated the roots and traditions that helped form the music of our Appalachia hills and mountains,” commented BCMA Vice President Fred McClellan. McClellan added that the series was designed to recognize the standard bearers of their genre and the youth which is carrying on this generational legacy.

Among the talented musicians appearing on stage were Celtic Air, a group of accomplished young performers who range in age from 14 to 18 and represent six cities in the Northeast Tennessee/ Southwestern Virginia region. Under the direction of Jane McMorran, US National Scottish Fiddling Champion, the group has played at venues throughout the southeastern United States and in Scotland.

They were joined by Fire In The Kitchen, which specializes in presenting lively Appalachian and Celtic music to its audiences. This trio includes Tammy Martin playing the hammered dulcimer and Irish bodhran, Debbie Shrewsbury playing the whistles and flute, and Teddy Helton on guitar and bass. Joining Fire in the Kitchen will be Sandra Parker, playing the Irish harp, Katie Doman, singing traditional ballads, and traditional dancers John Ling and the Tennessee Hoedowners, winner of six national clogging titles.

The concert was sponsored by Eastman Chemical Company, the Tennessee Arts Commission, Virginia Commission for the Arts, Washington County Virginia School, WCYB TV, WETS FM, and WGOC AM

In addition to the concert, other related activities were scheduled. Celtic Airl also performed live on Studio One on WETS Saturday, February 1 at 1:00 PM. Abingdon native Donna Akers Warmuth, author of Plumb Full of History A Story of Abingdon, Virginia, was signing her book, reading a chapter of the book, and playing traditional songs on Appalachian dulcimer on Saturday, February 8th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in the lower level of the Bristol Mall. Finally, Washington County Virginia school system hosred a workshop for students and teachers on Friday, February 7 at 11:00 AM at E.B. Stanley Middle School in Abingdon, Virginia. According to Superintendent Dr. Alan Lee, “Quality arts performances in schools are often defining moments for young people seeking to understand themselves and the world.”