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Grammy winner playing free show Saturday

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Grammy-winning musician David Holt kicks off the free summer concert series in Old Fort.

By Mike Conley | The McDowell News

Published: June 18, 2009

Four-time Grammy winner David Holt and his group The Lightning Bolts will give a free concert Saturday evening in the Old Fort Elementary School auditorium.
The show will start at 7 p.m. It is part of a series of free summer concerts being offered by the Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center in Old Fort. The title of the series is Blue Ridge Traditions.
Holt has done much to preserve those traditions. He is a popular entertainer who performs the traditional music and stories of the Southern Appalachians and he's won four Grammy Awards for his music and storytelling. Holt is dedicated to performing and preserving traditional American music and folktales. He plays 10 acoustic instruments and has released numerous recordings of traditional mountain music and Southern folktales.
Holt is also well known for his public television show "Folkways," a North Carolina program that takes the viewer through the Southern mountains visiting traditional craftsmen and musicians. He served as host of The Nashville Network's shows "Fire on the Mountain," "Celebration Express" and "American Music Shop." He has been a frequent guest on "Hee Haw," "Nashville Now" and "Grand Ole Opry." Holt can also be seen as a musician in the popular film, "O Brother Where Art Thou."
Saturday's show by Holt will be the first in a series of free summer concerts in Old Fort. On July 25, the group Balsam Range, another Grammy winner, will take the stage. And on Aug. 22, the bluegrass band the Kruger Brothers will perform.
Seating for the concert will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Before each concert starts, folks will be able to check out craft demonstrations and hands-on activities from 2 to 6 p.m. Woodcarver Donald Duncan will be at the gazebo in Bradley Park on Main Street. Susan Taylor, basket weaver and maker of birdhouses, will demonstrate her crafts at the museum.
"The Blue Ridge Traditions programs are all free," said Museum Administrator Terrell Finley. "Demonstrators will sometimes be at the museum, sometimes near Main Street and sometimes both. We encourage folks to come wander around Old Fort and visit Main Street, as well as the museum. Old Fort has a lot to offer."
All concerts will be held at Old Fort School. "They have been a great supporter and have graciously allowed us to use their facility," said Finley. "With the weather patterns this year, there is too much risk involved trying to use the outdoor amphitheater. Due to state budget constraints, funding was cut for these programs, but our supporters have rallied behind us, approving grants, giving donations and donating their efforts as well. We are extremely pleased and appreciative with what has taken place."
Since the concerts are free, you can't argue about the cost.
"With fuel prices climbing again, maybe people will want to visit close to home for a free program," said Finley.

For more information, call the museum at 668-9259.