Fountain Express

[Fountain, NC] Highway 58, the local bluegrass band fronted by Clyde Mattocks, returns to Fountain General Store on Friday night for a concert of what Mattocks calls "straight ahead bluegrass."

Named for NC highway 58, on which two of its members live, Highway 58 represents Mattocks' true musical passion and it has become one of the most popular bluegrass bands in the region.

Joining Mattocks, who plays dobro, are John Booker on bass; Danny Morris on guitar; Don Batten on mandolin; and Tim Myatt on banjo.

Mattocks is an original member of the SuperGrit Cowboy Band and is one of the most sought-after session players for recordings in the state. He has released two CDs himself, Hugging the Hound and Over My Shoulder. Click to listen to Clyde perform "La Cantina De Uvalde."

Highway 58's August 25 concert begins at 8 p.m.; admission is $5.

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The 3-day run of bluegrass in Fountain begins on Thursday night with the return of the monthly bluegrass jam hosted by Greenville picker Jack Wrzesinski. "We've been having excellent turnouts of musicians for these jams," said Fountain General Store proprietor Alex Albright, "but a lot of folks have been missing a good show."

The August 24 jam begins at 7:30 and admission is free.

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Dymond City Express, a Williamston-based quartet, returns to Fountain for a Saturday night concert of classic bluegrass and bluegrass gospel. Their first appearance in Fountain, on a Thursday night, drew a small but enthusiastic crowd and Albright said he's glad to have them back on a weekend night. "This is the kind of band and music a lot of our customers love to hear," he added.

Dymond City Express consists of Bobby Cherry on banjo and dobro; Simon Perry on mandolin; Calvin Woolard on bass; and David Gurganus on guitar. All the members share in vocal work. They have released two CDs: My Blue Ridge Cabin Home, and Wandering Shepherd. Click to hear Dymond City Express perform "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight."

Dymond City Express performs at 8 p.m. on August 26; admission is $5.

Reserved seats are available for most shows at an additional charge. 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.

George Higgs' Rainy Day Released
Local blues legend George Higgs has released his latest CD, Rainy Day, and copies are now available for $15 at Fountain General Store and via RAF's secure e.store. Recorded at George and Bettye Higgs' Tarboro home, the new disc includes 19 songs, including two numbers written by Bettye and three by George as well as Higgs' original interpretations of classic blues songs by Brownie McGhee, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Big Bill Broonzy, and Josh White.

Like Tarboro Blues, his first CD, the new record is produced by Tim Duffy and released on his Music Maker Relief Foundation label.

Bettye Higgs reports that her husband is doing much better, since suffering renal failure and several resultant small strokes this past spring. He was not in good shape for a long time, she says. He is on dialysis three times a week, but he is in good spirits and has started playing guitar and harmonica again.

"The doctor prescribed it," Mrs. Higgs says. "He said it was good for his hands and for his wind." She adds that George suffers no speech impediments or problems with his hands, and that he's anxious to get out again. "To hear him talk, you wouldn't know anything had happened."

Higgs has had to cancel several gigs, and Mrs. Higgs' surgery three weeks ago has also slowed the family somewhat. She is now back at home and is able to get around the house.

"We hope to get over to Fountain for Lightnin's show," Mrs. Higgs says. [Higgs' longtime playing partner Lightnin' Wells returns to Fountain General Store for a concert on September 23.] "We miss seeing the folks over there, but Myrtle [Wooten] calls and lets us know how everybody's doing."

Cards will reach George and Bettye Higgs at 199 Bogey Street, Tarboro, NC 27886.

Click to hear George perform "Diddy Wa Diddy" from this splendid new CD.

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Fingers for Brittany Cookbook Closeout
The fundraising cookbook Fingers for Brittany has been reduced from $12 to $8, with all proceeds still going to help with expenses for Brittany Apgar, the three-year-old Farmville girl who was born without fingers on her right hand.

Farmville Presbyterian Church published the cookbook to help the Apgars afford the series of surgeries Brittany has undergone to help with her condition, known as hypoplasia. Recipes were collected from throughout the Farmville community.

Fountain General Store has 6 cookbooks remaining. Donations for Brittany may also be sent to Farmville Presbyterian Church Crisis Fund, 4138 Grimmersburg St., Farmville, NC 27828.

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