Fountain Express

The Malpass Family, featuring the brothers Christopher and Taylor Malpass with their father, Chris, return to Fountain General Store this Friday evening for a night of stellar bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and classic country music. Based out of Goldsboro and one of the region's most popular attractions wherever they play, the Malpass Family has packed the house its previous visits, said Alex Albright, Fountain General Store proprietor. "They are as entertaining an act as you can find. They play really well to their particular audiences, and they have a lot of fun playing here." The Malpass Family's February 17 concert begins at 7:30. General admission is $5; reserved seats are $8.

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On Saturday night, Allan Thompson returns with his long-time friend, mandolin virtuoso Frankie Harrison, for a concert of old-time, bluegrass, and folk music. Thompson and Harrison grew up together in Williamston. Thompson has re-located to the Myrtle Beach area from Nashville, Tenn., where he worked as a musician for twenty years. He plays and teaches banjo, mandolin, guitar, and fiddle.

Allan Thompson's Feb. 18 concert begins at 7:30; general admission is $5.

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On Sunday afternoon, the Flat Mountain Dulcimers return for a free concert and celebration of the release of their first CD, Live at RA Fountain. Recorded last fall by Fountain General Store operations manager Cliff Nelson, the CD features a variety of classic Appalachian dulcimer songs performed by Nancy Galambush of Snow Hill and Dave and Margit Roberson of Goldsboro. The trio is named whimsically for the "flat mountains" of eastern North Carolina. Their dulcimers are hand-made by Galambush's husband, J.C. Bradshaw.

The Flat Mountain Dulcimers' concert and CD release celebration begins at 3:00 on Feb. 19. The concert will be followed by a pot-luck supper and jam session. "We might wind up with a dulcimer orchestra," Albright said. "The Flat Mountains belong to a large dulcimer support group, and they're always looking to recruit new folks. They'd also love to see some folks bring out instruments other than dulcimers to sit in with them for a while."

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R.A. Fountain, General Store and Internet Cafe, is located in historic downtown Fountain, at the intersection of US 258 and NC 222. Its family atmosphere is smoke- and alcohol-free.

For further information, phone 252-749-3228.

More on this week's performers:

high-resolution photo of Malpass Family performing at R.A. Fountain

Hear Malpass Family perform "Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself" (2.5 MB)

Hear Allan Thompson perform "John Hardy" (1.8 MB)

Photo of Flat Mountain Dulcimers at R.A. Fountain

Hear Flat Mountain Dulcimers perform "Liza Jane" (2.2 MB)

Buckler Cancels Thursday Night
Buckler's first visit to Fountain has been put on hold after lead singer and guitarist Lance Gilbreth suffered back injuries yesterday in a one-car wreck near Canton, NC, just west of Asheville. Gilbreth was traveling alone when his car hit an ice patch and spun out of control. He was treated and released from a local hospital. Former Greenville resident Bob Daniels is checking on him and will post an update to us as soon as he hears more details.

From Huntsville, Alabama, Buckler is one of the most popular of the new rock Christian bands. Their relentless touring schedule -- about 200 dates a year -- takes them all over the United States. They have released two CDs, Just a Scratch (2005) and Canvas (2006). The band is composed of Lance Gilbreth, lead vocals, guitar; Jon Zoog, drums; and Shawn Woodall, lead guitar.

Gilbreth's car was full of guitars, equipment, and the band's promotional merchandise. He had previously injured his back while in high school, and the accident has aggravated that injury.

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Take Me to the Mardi Gras: Saturday Hours Shortened
R.A. Fountain owners Alex, Elizabeth, and Silas Albright will attend their first Down East Mardi Gras this Saturday in Gloucester, NC. This 14th annual celebration, patterned after the community spirit of the rural southwest Louisiana Acadiana Mardi Gras -- but without the horses, whips, and stealing of chickens -- begins at 11:00 a.m. with a Fools' Procession. Served for lunch: crawfish, gumbo, deep-fried turkeys. Hat- and mask-making available; costumes greatly encouraged. Unknown Tongues will perform about 3:00 p.m. They'll return to Fountain March 4 for a concert and Cajun dance.

All events, including lunch, are free. Click here for directions, more details, and lots of photos from previous celebrations.

Fountain General Store will open about 5 p.m. Saturday for the Allan Thompson and Frankie Harrison concert that evening.

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