Fountain Express

[Fountain, NC] Bluegrass returns to Fountain General Store this week with back-to-back shows on Thursday and Friday night.

Jarvis Street Bluegrass Band, an ECU-based quartet, starts the weekend off on Thursday night, performing in Fountain for the first time. On Friday night, Fountain favorites the Stephenson Brothers and Linda return for an evening of classic bluegrass and bluegrass gospel.

"These two bands represent opposite ends of the bluegrass spectrum," said proprietor Alex Albright. "Jarvis Street's been playing bluegrass shows for less than a year, and the Stephenson Brothers and Linda collectively represent over a century of bluegrass music performance experience."

Jarvis Street was added to the Fountain schedule as a replacement act. "They've got an enthusiastic following on campus and in Greenville," added Albright.

Named for the street in Greenville where they first got together, the band began after Jesse Iaquinto, from Elmira, NY, and Mark Romano, of Charlotte, wrote a research paper on the history of bluegrass music for Olivia Murray's English 1200 class. From that experience, they began hosting jams with two other friends. Their first public performances were in fall 2005.

Iaquinto, a junior philosophy major, plays mandolin; Romano, who plays banjo, is a sophomore majoring in science and math education. Also in the band is Chad Cowan, from Elmira, NY, who plays guitar, and English major Charlie McCanless, who plays bass. All four share singing duties.

Jarvis Street plays a variety of traditional bluegrass mixed with modern day favorites and originals. They feature bluegrass versions of Nirvana and Johnny Cash songs, and they enjoy extended jams that push some of their songs up to 12 minutes in length.

Jarvis Street's April 27 concert begins at 7:30. Admission is $3.

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The Stephenson Brothers and Linda were the first band to perform at Fountain General Store, at its grand opening in October 2004, and their return performances are always popular occasions. They specialize in classic bluegrass and bluegrass gospel, and have released one CD, Sing the Old Songs. Click to hear them perform "Sittin' on Top of the World" from that CD.

Brother Marshall has been promoting bluegrass in eastern North Carolina since the 1960s. His radio show The Bluegrass Train is now syndicated on over 30 radio stations. He and brother Shelby have been performing bluegrass and country music since the '50s. Shelby is an English professor at UNC-Pembroke, where he edits Pembroke Magazine. Paul, their comedic brother, operates Stephenson's Barbecue at McGee's Crossroads in Johnston County, near where they all grew up.

Linda, married to Shelby, is originally from New York. She joins the group on ukulele and vocals, and Mike Langdon plays bass.

The Stephenson Brothers and Linda usually bring along a guest or two for their performances. Their April 28 show begins at 7:30. Admission is $5.

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The Near Myths return on Saturday night to present a concert of original and classic folk and American roots music. The band has recorded one CD, Wilson, which features on its a cover a photo of them standing amidst Vollis Simpson whirligigs. Click to hear Jim Clark's composition "Turn this Water into Wine" from that CD.

The Near Myths include Katy Adams of Greensboro on acoustic 12-string guitar; Jim Clark of Wilson on acoustic guitar, banjo, pennywhistle, and harmonica; Andy Oglesby of Greensboro on acoustic and electric guitar; and Terry "Teep" Phillips on acoustic 6- and 12-string guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, bass, drums, hairy drum, and rattlesnake rattle. All share vocals. Two bandmates, Canadians Ben and Bernadette Greene, will not be part of the Fountain performance, which begins at 7:30 on April 29. Admission is $5.

Reserved seats are available for all shows. Prices are always posted on our up-coming events page. For further information, phone 252-749-3228.

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.

Fountain's Spring Fling Set for May 13
Fountain's second annual Spring Fling will be held on Saturday, May 13. Music headliners are the Vines Sisters, one of the best gospel bands in the region.

Vending spaces are available for $25 or $50 (if electrical hookup is needed) in the stage area and along US 258. Contact Sharon Pryor at 252-749-4942 or Town Clerk Leitha Hines at 749-2881 to reserve vending space, or to book your musical act as part of this celebration.

Buildings for Sale
David Moye, owner/operator of Owens' Grocery Store in downtown Fountain, is actively looking for a buyer. His grocery is in the storefront beside Fountain General Store. Also for sale is the building next to it, which currently houses a silk flower shop. It has an access door to the grocery.

A prospective buyer might purchase both buildings and the grocery business, or either of the buildings. Asking price for both is $70,000. All fixtures are offered in the sale price, too, including the massive, original R.A. Fountain safe, and a dozen refrigeration/freezing units.

Dogwood Festival this Weekend in Farmville
The 19th annual Dogwood Festival is this coming weekend, April 27-30, in downtown Farmville. In addition to rides and vendors, the festival features a good lineup of music, including Fountain favorite Jennifer Licko at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Click here for a schedule of events.

Free Neil Young!
Not in Fountain, yet, but at Young's web site, you can download his yet-to-be released CD Living with War starting this Friday, April 28. The CD features Young in a 3-piece band, including trumpet, and a 100-voice choir.

What You're Reading:
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