Border Bash, Song of the Mountains and THS to Rock the Hall

BORDER BASH
Such a bash, it’s the Border Bash.
Bristol’s Border Bash marks 10 years when the free monthly concert embarks on a new season May 15 in the 500 block of State Street.
Music courtesy of Pokey LaFarge and the Whiskey Bent Valley Boys combines with children’s activities, crafts and concessions for a dandy downtown night.
Spicy hybrid describes LaFarge. He’s a road rambling bluesman, part country, ragtime and pop vaudevillian.
His music represents that which he has seen in his travels, experienced in life and then given to anyone who wishes to hear by way of communication. In short, LaFarge is a modern-day troubadour.

IF YOU GO
What: Border Bash featuring Pokey LaFarge and The Whiskey Bent Valley Boys
When: May 15, 6 p.m.
Where: Downtown Bristol, 500 block of State Street, Bristol
Admission: Free
Info: (276) 645-0111 or (423) 573-2200
Web and audio: www.myspace.com/pokeylafarge

SONG OF THE MOUNTAINS
See history live and in the making on the monthly Song of the Mountains.
This month’s show features the legendary Curly Seckler and the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band on May 16 at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Va.
There’s more. Entertainment includes comedy from Gary Crain and bluegrass from Jett’s Creek and Constant Change.
Fans of Flatt & Scruggs and Roy Acuff take note. Seckler played, toured and recorded such classics as “Salty Dog Blues” and “I’ll Go Stepping Too” with bluegrass pioneers Flatt & Scruggs.
The rousing Tennessee Mafia Jug Band neither toured nor recorded with, but they sure do summon the spirit of Roy Acuff. Leave it to the always-stellar Song of the Mountains to bring them together.

IF YOU GO
What: Song of the Mountains featuring Curly Seckler, the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band, Jett’s Creek, Constant Change and Gary Crain
When: May 16, 7 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Theatre, 117 E. Main St, Marion, Va.
Admission: $20
Info: (276) 783-6093
Web: www.songofthemountains.org
Audio: www.curlyseckler.net/store.htm
More audio: www.tennesseemafiajugband.com/barnyard_frolic.shtml

TENNESSEE ROCKING HIGH
Tennessee rocks.
Make that Bristol Tennessee High School rocks and jazzes, too. Two shows on two nights from two groups of kids from Tennessee High demonstrate the expansive talent in the region.
The school’s jazz band will perform on May 18 at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol, Tenn. Then on May 19, the school’s choral music department offers a variety show, “I Dig Rock and Roll,” in the school’s auditorium.
Listen for horns and hep-cat cool from the jazz band. Hear rock from the 1960s a la Beach Boys to Beatles from the school’s chorus. Whichever, plan for lively entertainment from some of Bristol’s youngest, finest musicians.

IF YOU GO
What: Bristol Tennessee High School Jazz Band and “I Dig Rock and Roll” by the Bristol Tennessee High School Choral Music Department
When: May 18 at 7 p.m. (jazz band) and May 19 at 7 p.m. (rock show)
Where: Paramount Center for the Arts, 518 State St., Bristol, Tenn., (jazz band) and Bristol Tennessee High School auditorium, 1112 Edgemont Ave., Bristol, Tenn. (rock show)
Admission: Donations accepted
Info: (423) 274-8920 (jazz band show) and (423) 652-9494 (rock show)
Web: www.theparamountcenter.com

MUSIC NOTES
-- Larry McPeak needs a kidney transplant. A member of the VW Boys, the longtime resident of Southwest Virginia and 30-year musician is in a fight for his life once again.
He received a liver in 2001 and has since required an extensive list of expensive and necessary-for-life medications. He now suffers from end-stage kidney failure and as such will need a new kidney.
A kidney transplant costs about $250,000. Post-operative medications can cost from $2,000 to $5,000 per month.
Meanwhile, he needs to raise at least $25,000 to cover medical costs. To contribute, visit www.transplants.org/donate/larrymcpeak or call the National Foundation of Transplants for details at (800) 489-3863.
-- Saturday night at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Va., served as celebration for Maybelle Carter’s 100th birthday. Bluegrass throwbacks Karl Shiflett and Big Country prompted feet aplenty to take to the dance floor while more than one face in the crowd indicated the sentiment, “Now, buddy, that flat gets it.”
Likewise, Ronnie Williams along with Carter Family descendents Rita Forrester and Lorrie Carter Bennett revived a bevy of Carter Family tunes. Mercy, what a version of “Worried Man Blues.” Friends and neighbors, Anita Carter’s golden voice lives on in Bennett, her daughter.
Then, there came Williams and Bennett’s parking lot performance. For an audience of less than five, Maybelle’s granddaughter riveted with “Ring of Fire” and “Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord)” among a dozen or so Poor Valley melodies. Positively spellbinding.
-- This week’s free download is colossal. Beginning May 15, Coldplay will give each concert ticket-holding fan a copy of their live album “LeftRightLeftRightLeft” free of charge. Not planning to see a Coldplay concert, and yet still want the album? Fine. Simply access the band’s Web site at www.coldplay.com, and beginning May 15, their nine-track live album will be made available as a free download.
Check out Music Notes next week for comments on Maybelle Carter from a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Meantime and by all means, stay tuned.

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at features@bristolnews.com.