The Boohers, Fire in Kitchen, and Lightnin’ Charlie to Perform at Kingsport Renaissance Center

The Birthplace of Country Music Alliance and City of Kingsport’s Cultural Services Division will present The Boohers, Fire in the Kitchen, and Lightnin’ Charlie as part of the “Celebrate Our Appalachian Heritage Concert Series” on Friday, December 15 at 7:30 PM at the Kingsport Renaissance Center, 1200 E. Center Street.

“The show will feature a variety of acoustical music by local performers,” noted Bill Hartley, Executive Director of the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance. Hartley added that the styles will range from classic country to Celtic to gospel and bluegrass, including Christmas/Seasonal music. “This show promises to offer something for everyone,” Hartley added. Admission for the concert is $12; Seniors and Students $10. Tickets will be available at the door or can be purchased in advance, including credit card orders, by contacting the City of Kingsport Cultural Services Division at (423) 392-8417.

Northeast Tennessee natives, The Boohers blend the finest traditional, contemporary and gospel bluegrass to provide a delightful and entertaining show featuring smooth harmonies, great original material, and tight instrumentation. The Boohers have been performing together since August 2000. Members include Lora Booher (vocals and guitar); Gary Booher, (vocals, banjo and guitar); Joseph Booher (vocals and mandolin), Jamey Booher (vocals and bass); and Josh Doss (vocals and guitar).
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Lightnin' Charlie The Boohers have toured nationally including performances at Silver Dollar City, Bean Blossom Festival, Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival, and the Carter Family Fold. Recently, The Boohers, were one of thirteen bands chosen by the International Bluegrass Music Association Showcase Talent Committee to perform at the 2006 World of Bluegrass Business Conference. Their latest CD "Grandma's Songs" was released on Lonesome Day Records in 2005. For more information, visit their website at www.theboohers.com

Lightnin’ Charlie is considered to be one of our era’s premier musicians, performing all kinds of American roots music. He is also one of the best kept secrets of East Tennessee, as he has been featured at the Memphis Blues Festival, the Bull Durham Blues Festival, the Chicago Blues Festival, the Carolina Blues Festival, and many others. In 1991, he won first place in the Piedmont Blues Society’s Blues Talent Contest, followed up in 1993, with a third place in the Blues Foundation’s National Unsigned Band Contest.

He has recorded two CDs with his band The Upsetters, “Lightnin’ Charlie and the Upsetters” and “Don’t Touch That Dial,” which was recorded at Classic Recording Studio in Bristol. His new CD, titled “A New Leaf", has been described as “Atomic-powered roots music. Chicago blues meets '50's rock 'n' roll. True Americana.”

Lightnin’ Charlie and his wife, Beth, have also been playing gospel concerts for local churches, assisted living and nursing homes, hospitals, etc. and are calling their gospel duo “Charisma”. Charlie is currently working on a gospel CD that should be released in 2006. For more information, including details of show times and dates, purchasing CD’s, and news, visit his website at www.lightnincharlie.com

< Fire in the Kitchen Fire in the Kitchen specializes in presenting lively Appalachian and Celtic music to its audiences. This group includes Tammy Martin playing the hammered dulcimer and Irish bodhran, Debbie Shrewsbury playing the whistles and flute, Teddy Helton on guitar and bass, and Linda Waltner on violin and viola. The group has played at numerous events in through our region, including festivals, special events, and collaborations with the Symphony of the Mountains. They are currently at work on a follow-up to their first CD, “Appalachian and Celtic Journey”. For more information, visit their website at www.fire-in-the-kitchen.com This performance is a part of “Art Nights, City Lights,” a performing arts series featuring music, dance, theatre and storytelling at the Kingsport Renaissance Center. Future concerts in the series will be held on February 16, 2007; March 16, 2007; and April 27, 2007. These shows will feature bluegrass, old-time, Celtic, and other styles of music with performances by Fire in the Kitchen, the ETSU Pride Bluegrass Band, the Dixie Bee Liners, Dale Jett, Wires and Wood, and Robby Spencer. For more information about the concert series, contact the City of Kingsport Cultural Services Division at (423) 392-8414 or (423) 392-8417, or visit www.kingsportarts.org The Birthplace of Country Music Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to telling the story of the living musical heritage of the Appalachian mountains and the cultural traditions that sustain it. The BCMA is funded in part by grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Tennessee Arts Commission. For more information, call (276) 645-0111.