He was one of the Darling Boys on the 1960s “Andy Griffith Show” and he is going to tape an episode of Song of the Mountains at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia on Saturday, March 3rd. Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band will headline the concert on March 3rd which will also include musical performances by the “Close Kin Project” and “Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition”.
Rodney Dillard has had a long varied career that includes two Grammy® nominations, induction into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, a well known acting stint on the Andy Griffith Show, many other movie, commercials and TV appearances, recipient of The Outstanding Missourian Award, and worldwide acclaim for his over 50 years of recording both traditional Bluegrass and his own brand of ‘DillardGrass’. Rodney Dillard as founding member of the legendary group, ‘The Dillards’ (aka the Darlings) is seen nearly everyday somewhere in the world thanks to the still enormous popularity of The Andy Griffith Show reruns.
By the late 1960’s Rodney had transformed the Dillards into the driving force creating new sounds in the West Coast music environment. Later, called “The Father of Country Rock”, Rodney was among the first Bluegrass musicians to “electrify” traditional Bluegrass instruments while also adding drums, steel guitar, and orchestra. The band’s unique flare for song writing and arrangement affected a broad range of important future musicians in the Bluegrass and Pop music world alike. Rodney is credited with helping set the stage for the “Country Rock” movement and burgeoning progressive sounds of Bluegrass. Albums such as “Wheatstraw Suites” and “Copperfields” remain legendary paradigm shifters and influenced many musicians who are now household names. Groups and performers as diverse as The Byrds, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Eagles, Elton John and Ricky Skaggs have all expressed appreciation for what Rodney accomplished musically
The Close Kin Project on Mountain Roads Recordings has brought together over 20 veteran bluegrass and old time musicians to create a fantasic recorded project and live show. Whether you’re a fan of bluegrass or old-time music, 29 artists from both sides of the aisle have come together to create a truly unique recording that combines these two musical genres and their bold styles.
The Appalachian Highlands region of Northeast Tennessee, Northwestern North Carolina, Southwestern Virginia and Eastern Kentucky is home to the origins of both bluegrass and old-time string band music. This music has been enjoyed for generations in kitchens and back porches, school auditoriums and music festivals and venues. Many times bluegrass and old-time artists can be heard jamming off stage at festivals before or after shows or even late into the night after the crowds have gone home. Amazing sounds are created when these styles are blended together as their heritage intended and rarely heard by the fans. Close Kin brings these sounds to the fans. Artists included on the Close Kin Project are Johnny & Jeanette Williams, Adam & Tina Steffey, the VW Boys, the Wolf Brothers, the Snyder Family, Scott & Mark Freeman, Jim Lloyd and others.
Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition is one of the busiest and best-known local bluegrass bands in Western North Carolina. The band was formed in 2003 and has played continuously since then throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. They have recorded four studio CD’s as a band, plus two solo projects by Bobby and Phil as well as contributing to a Christmas compilation CD produced by K&K Recording in 2005. Their “I Live for Him” CD was voted by listeners as one of the top 50 bluegrass CD’s of 2010 on WNCW.
The band consists of Bobby Anderson on banjo, Jim Turpin on mandolin, Gene Burns on guitar, Phil Preston on bass and Rich Inman on fiddle. In 2011, the band won first place in the bluegrass band competition at the North Carolina Mountain State Fair. Individually, Bobby won first place in banjo, Jim won first place in mandolin and vocals, Phil won first place in bass and Rich won second place in fiddle. This was a tremendous honor for one band to receive this many awards and a testament to their hard work. When they play for you this evening, you’ll see why they won these awards. Please make welcome Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition.
Song of the Mountains features bluegrass, old time, Celtic and Americana Music and is currently airing on over 190 Public Television outlets across the United States. Tim White hosts the series. Tickets for the Saturday, February 4th concert at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia are $20. Reserved tickets may be purchased at the Lincoln Theatre Box Office in Marion, VA or online at www.SongOfTheMountains.org . The concert begins at 7:00 pm. For information or tickets by phone call 276-783-6093.
Song of the Mountains is underwritten for public television by Alpha Natural Resources, Mountain States Health Alliance www.msha.com , Bryant Label Co. of Blountville, TN, TEDS, the General Francis Marion Hotel in Marion, VA, Blue Ridge Country 98.1 fm, The Bank of Marion and Emory & Henry College. Special support from Marion, and Smyth County, VA.
Memberships and Song of the Mountains merchandise are available at the website and your purchases help support the concert series. Song of the Mountains/The Lincoln Theatre is a non-profit organization.
The band consists of Bobby Anderson on banjo, Jim Turpin on mandolin, Gene Burns on guitar, Phil Preston on bass and Rich Inman on fiddle. In 2011, the band won first place in the bluegrass band competition at the North Carolina Mountain State Fair. Individually, Bobby won first place in banjo, Jim won first place in mandolin and vocals, Phil won first place in bass and Rich won second place in fiddle. This was a tremendous honor for one band to receive this many awards and a testament to their hard work. When they play for you this evening, you
