Fountain Express

Country, Old-time, and Bluegrass Gospel Shows Headline Long Weekend of Music in Fountain

The return of Russ Varnell and His Too Country Band on Friday night and the Fountain debut of Big Medicine on Saturday night highlight another five days of music this week at Fountain General Store.

Wrapping up the long run of music is a Sunday concert by the Arkansas-based bluegrass gospel band The Turners.

Varnell, who lives in the Wilson County community of Black Creek, covers classic country songs by artists such as Buck Owens, Hank Williams, George Jones, and Ernest Tubb. He also performs original songs in what he calls the "hardcore traditional honky tonk country music tradition."

Since his CD Playin' Every Honky Tonk in Town was released in 2003, Varnell has performed in Las Vegas, Austin, Nashville (Tenn. & NC), and in Bakersfield, California, at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace.

"Russ honors the tradition and its performers," said Alex Albright, R.A. Fountain proprietor. "He looks and sounds like he belongs in a different era. He's got a good following around here, and we're glad to present his show in a family-atmosphere venue."

Russ Varnell and His Too Country Band's Nov. 18 concert begins at 8:00. General admission is $5; reserved seats are $8.

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On Saturday night, Big Medicine comes to Fountain for the first time for a concert of string band music of the rural South. The band performs old-time melodies, hollers, hymns, and songs that sound like early bluegrass.

Band members are Kenny Jackson, who plays fiddle and banjo and now lives in Fayetteville; Jim Collier, from Raleigh, who plays mandolin, banjo, and rhythm guitar; Joe Newberry, a prize-winning banjo player, who grew up in the Ozarks but now lives in Durham; and bassist Bobb Head, who lived in Tuscon and Houston before moving to the Triangle.

Big Medicine has released two CDs. Of their latest, Fever in the South, Jack Bernhardt said in the News & Observer, "It sizzles with state-of-the-art oldtime and bluegrass picking and ear-catching lead and harmony singing."

General admission to Big Medicine's Nov. 19 concert is $5; reserved seats are $8.

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The 5-day run of music kicks off with Fountain General Store's weekly open mic on Wednesday night, Nov. 16. Signups begin at 7:00; music begins at 7:30. Admission is free, and all styles of entertainers are welcome.

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On Thursday night, Melody Brown returns for a concert of contemporary and original Christian music.

Brown, who lives in Zebulon, grew up in eastern Kentucky and many of her songs reflect the strength of her family and rural roots. She has recently released her first CD, A Voice 4 Him.

Her Nov. 17 concert begins at 7:30; admission is $3.

Sunday afternoon's free concert features the Turner Family Bluegrass Band, which has released four CDs, including their latest, Old Rattler. Titus Turner, 5, is the band's youngest member. He is joined by Tasha Turner, 17, who plays fiddle; Tiffany Turner, 14, a banjo prodigy who has been playing since she was 6; Lana Griffith, 16, who plays fiddle and mandolin; Landon Griffith, 14, who plays bass; and Gary Turner, father of the three Turners and uncle of the two Griffiths, who plays guitar.

"We're real fortunate to have these folks stopping over in Fountain," said Albright. "They're playing at a couple of churches in Wilson, and one of our regular customers arranged for them to include us on their itinerary."

The Turners' Nov. 20 concert begins at 3:00. Admission is free.

R.A. Fountain, General Store and Internet Café, is located in downtown Fountain, at the intersection of US 258 and NC 222. Its family atmosphere does not permit smoking; alcohol is not served.

For further information, phone 252-749-3228 or visit our home page.

Photo of Melody performing at Fountain General Store in May

Listen to Melody sing "I Grew Up Cherished."

Hear Russ Varnell sing "It's a Cheatin' Situation."
Hear Russ sing his original tune "Playin' Every Honky Tonk in Town."

For the true story on Russ & the Nudie suit that got stolen from Buck Owens and somehow wound up at the flea market at the NC State Fairgrounds and in Russ's hands (and then got Russ two plane tickets to Bakersfield and an audience with Buck himself and some spots on Buck's subsequent CDs), see: russvarnell.com/html/pressrelease1.php.

Hear Big Medicine play "Kentucky Waltz."

Listen to other tunes by Melody Brown, Russ Varnell, and Big Medicine on the R.A. Fountain Music Page.

What You're Reading:
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After your Thanksgiving feast, have fun in Fountain with two of eastern North Carolina's finest bands:
Friday, Nov. 25 -- Roby Huffman and the Bluegrass Cutups
Saturday, Nov. 26 -- Nancy & Tammy and the Country Roads Band

Fountain General Store is open Tuesday - Sunday until Christmas. Live music every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (except Nov. 27.)