By, Darlene Mae Nowell O’Connor
Join Bill Ward and a lineup of famous friends at Big Inlet Brewing on Saturday, August 19 to Celebrate the Alleghany influence on the music of early americana from the foothills of Appalachia.
Old Time or Hillbilly music originated as stories set to song that expressed the hardships, hopes and the everyday experiences of those resilient people who endured to carve out lives within the forests and along the ridges of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Inhabited for more than 16,000 years only by indigenous tribal people, the arrival of impoverished Irish, Scottish settlers and enslaved Africans set into motion great changes to the environmental and cultural landscape. Many tumultuous years followed the breach of the Cumberland Gap, but as shared interests in survival led to more peaceful exchanges, relationships developed and cultures began to meld. Overtime, regional nuance and family lore became woven into the fabric of commonly shared experiences and with new settlers came expansion and an even greater convergence of cultures. With this the music of the mountains was born. African people contributed the twang and drum like sound of the banjo and when played along-side the up-tempo fiddle of the Scots-Irish, who were well fit for storytelling, they created the new Americana sound. Taking on flare from different cultures, Appalachian music would give rise to Folk, Country, Americana and Bluegrass.
I’m inclined to believe we should consider music the force of nature meant for finding ways to understand, uplift and encourage other humans. One of the most encouraging and uplifting humans I know goes by the name of Bill. A consummate entertainer, Bill Ward is a musician’s musician. He is adaptable to circumstance and seems to find deep pleasure in finding ways to make other musicians shine on his stage. While Mr. Ward is a teacher of music and a mentor to those who play an instrument or sing, he is also a life-long learner of music and that is just one of the attributes that makes him special, and beloved. I have known Bill since I was child, I believe it is his desire to share in the emotional experiences of other human beings and his ability to cause emotional responses in other people with his music, that fuels his passion. I have always said that the best entertainers never stop communicating with their audience. Bills time on stage is like a conversation that leaves you encouraged and hopeful and the musicians he brings are as engaging and entertaining as he is. Since the first Bluegrass Festival in Mayville in 2003, Bill has consistently delivered the magic of Mountain Music. In 2019 the festival was revived at Big Inlet Brewing and it grows bigger and gets better with each event. The Bands he chooses excel in their ability to capture the genuine Bluegrass sound that is unique to the Alleghany region and you won’t want to miss the knee slapping, toe tapping sounds of the masters he has lined up for the festival this year.
From our hometown Hillbillies of Deep Fried and Dipped in Honey, to the famed Creek Band. With over 30 years of performing excellence, they have played with big name acts like, The Country Gentlemen, Tony Trischka, and the Big Daddy of Bluegrass himself, Bill Monroe.
Specially featured this year is Gene Johnson (of Diamond Rio fame) in a special Night Sun reunion Show with friends Butch Amiot and Jeff Wisor (David Bromberg Band) and Scott McElhaney, Knarly Knuckles, Doug Yeomans, Mark Mincarelli, The Big Inlet Bluegrass All-Stars, Bill Ward, Tyler Westcott and Sally Schaefer, Water Horse, Old Dawgs New Tricks and Blue Mule Bluegrass will also take the stage and this year. Camp sites are available for those who want to stay overnight and attend Bill Ward’s free weekly Sunday Sessions event which this week is billed as a “Post-MBF Bluegrass Party.”
While there are a few tables for sitting, it is an outdoor event and it is recommended that you bring chairs.
Food Trucks will be available to satisfy your hunger and beverages are also available for purchase.
No Coolers or pets please. A limited number pre-sale tickets can be purchased online for $25.
Tickets may also be purchased at the Big Inlet Brewing.
For questions or details, email billward@gmail.com, or find the event page on Facebook phone or text Bill at 716 753-2800.