April 2007 Fountain AFTERDARK, beginning with the most recent: Fountain AfterDark vol. 3, no. 17 € April 24, 2007 published weekly by R.A. Fountain, General Store & Internet Cafe 5-Day Weekend of Live Music Upcoming in Fountain Every Night's Hot: Shelby & Linda Stephenson Debut their Cricket Band Saturday, Martin & Johnson Stringband Friday, Dan Frechette Returns from Manitoba Thursday, Don Helms & Malpass Brothers Kick It Off Wednesday Night [Fountain, NC] The upcoming 5-day weekend of live music in Fountain features the long-awaited public debut of the Cricket Band on Saturday night, the old-time Martin and Johnson String Band on Friday, and the return of Canadian troubadour Dan Frechette on Thursday. Don Helms and the Malpass Brothers perform their Hank Williams tribute show on Wednesday night, and Brien Barbour presents a free-at-3:00 concert of original Americana, country, and bluegrass on Sunday afternoon. The Cricket Band is fronted by Shelby and Linda Stephenson on guitars and vocals. They are joined for this show by Les Sandy on fiddle, Johnny Barham on steel guitar, Mel Waters on lead guitar, and Manny Krevat on bass. This evening's show will mix classic country with bluegrass and bluegrass gospel. The Stephensons have become Fountain favorites with their many appearances here with their family band, and also as featured performers at Fountain General's Hank Williams birthday party celebration. Walters was born in Peachland, in 1937. After winning a talent contest as a youngster, he began performing on the radio each Saturday morning in Charlotte with Pete Toomey and the Houndog Show. During his long musical career, Walters has performed with Martha Carson, Don Gibson, Loretta Lynn, George Morgan, Jimmy C. Newman, Stonewall Jackson, Roy Drusky and others. He became a preacher in 1965. Krevat, a Brooklyn native, performed folk music in Greenwich Village in the 1960s. In the '70s, he played with the Brooklyn-based bluegrass band the Canarsie Five. In the '80s, he was a regular in Roger Sprung's Progressive Bluegrassers, touring throughout the northeast and performing regularly on the festival circuit. He relocated to NC in the late '90s. He performs also with the Penny Pickers and others. Les Sandy learned to play fiddle from the late Vassar Clements when they were touring together in a country band in Florida in 1949. After the two were fired from that gig, Sandy traveled to Key West, where he and his brother became the house band at Sloppy Joe's and Les a nightly backgammon opponent of Ernest Hemingway's. During the 1950s, Sandy toured and recorded with Bill Monroe, for whom he played bass and performed comedy as the hayseed Uncle Puny. He later toured and recorded with Jim and Jesse McReynolds. For many years he hosted his own t.v. show in Wilmington, where he taught a teenage Charlie Daniels a few fiddle licks. "Having Les and Don Helms in town in the same week is almost unbelievable for a little venue like ours," said Alex Albright, Fountain General Store proprietor. "Folks ought to come out early to meet Les and to hear him tell a story or two. He can really make that fiddle sing, too." The Cricket Band's April 28 concert begins at 7:30. Admission is $5. The Triangle-based Martin and Johnson Stringband come to town in preparation for their busy festival season. They include Wayne and Margaret Martin and Craig Johnson. Wayne and Margaret Johnson have been playing and promoting old-time string music for over 30 years. They hosted a state-wide old-time radio show for many years, and Wayne has produced numerous recordings of traditional music by artists such as Etta Baker, Bascom Lamar Lunsford, Lauchlin Shaw, and Joe and Odell Thompson. Wayne plays banjo and fiddle, Margaret plays banjo and guitar, and Johnson plays fiddle, banjo, and guitar. Johnson is also a member of the D.C.-based Double Decker String Band. "These folks are popular all over the country," said Albright. "They're excellent musicians, and their show mixes history and humor with outstanding picking." As the New North Georgia Buggy Riders, they will be featured at next weekend's International Stringband Festival. The Martin and Johnson Stringband's April 27 concert begins at 7:30. General admission is $5. Dan Frechette's first time through Fountain, over a year ago, attracted an enthusiastic crowd. He has composed over 1,300 songs. He -- http://www.danfrechette.com/ -- performs original folk tunes with a unique style and passion that made folks practically demand his return, said Albright. His performances are a mix of original songs in bluegrass, Celtic, country, ragtime, and country blues stylings. Dan Frechette's April 26 concert begins at 7:30; general admission is $5. Frechette will be in town a night early, added Albright, to attend the Don Helms tribute to Hank Williams, presented by the Malpass Brothers: "Dan's agent called and wanted to know if it was true that Helms would be here--he couldn't believe his great fortune to be able to meet Mr. Don, and hear him play." The Helms/Malpass Brothers show on Wednesday night is the result of Helms' fond memories of his first visit to Fountain, over a year ago, with his wife, Hazel. "He's been wanting to return," Albright said, "but his health has only recently gotten to the point where he can travel again." Helms' steel guitar virtually defined the Hank Williams sound, and he has also performed on recordings by over 40 other members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. In concert with Chris Malpass, he has performed his Williams tribute all over the United States. The Don Helms/Malpass Brothers show on April 25 begins at 7:30. General admission is $10; reserved seats are $12.50. Sunday's free-at-3:00 performer, Brien Barbour http://www.myspace.com/brienbarbour is a Triangle-based singer-songwriter known for his entertaining performances which mix original songs with classic country and bluegrass. For further information, visit www.rafountain.com or phone 252-749-3228. R.A. Fountain, General Store and Internet Cafe, is located in downtown Fountain, at the intersection of US 258 and NC 222. Its family atmosphere is smoke- and alcohol-free. € € € photos Fiddling legend Les Sandy returns to Fountain General Store on Saturday night with the Cricket Band http://rafountain.com/pictures/LesSandy/Les_Sandy.jpg € € € Dan Frechette: http://rafountain.com/pictures/DanFrechette3.jpg € € € The Malpass Brothers return to Fountain General Store on Wednesday night with Don Helms to present a Hank Williams tribute http://rafountain.com/pictures/Malpass/Malpass1_lg.jpg -30- Country Music Legend Don Helms Performs Hank Williams Tribute Wednesday Night [Fountain, NC] Country music legend Don Helms will present his tribute to Hank Williams at Fountain General Store on Wednesday night with Goldsboro's Malpass Brothers. Helms, a native of New Brockton, Ala., was a member of the Driftin' Cowboys and played the slide guitar that virtually defined Williams' sound. In addition to performing on 10 of Williams' 11 gold records, he has played on recordings by over 40 Country Music Hall of Famers. Now 80 years old, Helms has resurrected his career in large part because of his interest in Christopher Malpass, with whom he has performed his Hank Williams tribute all over the United States. Malpass, for his part, bears a striking resemblance to a young Hank Williams, and his singing, along with Helms' guitar, virtually mimic the decades-old recordings. The Malpass Brothers-- http://www.malpassfamilymusic.com/ --formerly known as the Malpass Family, also include Taylor Malpass and the boys' dad, Christopher, Sr., and Kinston's Clyde Mattocks. They will perform an opening set of classic country and bluegrass. Helms will join them to present the WIlliams tribute as the evening's second set. The Helms/Malpass show was a late add to the Fountain General Store schedule. "It's hard to tell when Mr. Helms will be up to traveling," said Alex Albright, Fountain General Store proprietor. "And we book so far in advance that the only way to get this show booked was to play it on a Wednessday. He's been wanting to come back here for over a year, and we're all really glad to finally see this happening." Don Helms with the Malpass Brothers' April 25 concert begins at 7:30. General admission is $10; reserved seats are $12.50. For further information, visit www.rafountain.com or phone 252-749-3228. R.A. Fountain, General Store and Internet Cafe, is located in downtown Fountain, at the intersection of US 258 and NC 222. Its family atmosphere is smoke- and alcohol-free. € € € PHOTO Don Helms brings his 1948 steel guitar to Fountain for a Hank Williams tribute with the Malpass Brothers this Wednesday, April 25, at 7:30 http://rafountain.com/pictures/Malpass/malpass_helms.jpg May Live Music Schedule Released Fri May 4 Claude Bourbon 8 p.m. $5 Swiss guitarist now living in England returns to Fountain for evening of exquisite classical & jazz-infused blues http://www.claudebourbon.com/ Sat May 5 Bluegrass festival--in conjunction with the Town of Fountain's Old Time Festival--with Untravelled Road (2 p.m), Smith Brothers Bluegraass Band (7 p.m.), and others TBA. FREE http://www.gigmasters.com/artists/UntravelledRoad/ Sun May 6 Adam Stone Free-at-3:00 Original music and contemporary covers, from Wilson Thu May 10 Jon Durham & Forlorn Hope 7:30 FREE Bailey native returns for homecoming show of original music http://www.jondurham.net/jon_durham001.htm Fri May 11 Lightnin' Wells 8:00 $5 Fountain's own internationally renowned bluesman offers up a full evening of Piedmont & Delta blues, vaudeville hokum, classic pop and country tunes from the 20s & 30s, and a whole lot more http://lightninwells.com Sat May 12 Travis Chandler & Avery County 8:00 $5 Chandler recently moved to Wilson, and he's got a terrific bluegrass band he's anxious to show off to folks in Fountain. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=42784279 Sun May 13 Donald Underwood Thompson Free-at-3:00 Kinston's Thompson performs classic blues, country, folk, and vaudeville Sun May 13 Buckler 7:30 $2 A Christian-themed rock n roll band with a cult-like following, on tour to support their latest CD, "Muzykstyk." http://www.bucklermusic.com/ Thu May 17 Bluegrass jam 7:30 FREE Our monthly jam is open to all levels of pickers and fans of bluegrass music Fri May 18 Kickin' Grass 8:00 $5 One of the hottest bluegrass bands in the Southeast makes its first appearance in Fountain, promoting their CD "On the Short Rows." http://www.kickingrass.com/ Sat May 19 Ted Jones & the Tarheels 8:00 $5 Classic bluegrass from a young mandolin master and his band http://www.lgma.info/tedjonesandthetarheelboys/ Sun May 20 Take 2 & Ramblin' Rose Free-at-3:00 Roanoke Rapids-based bluegrass gospel band Thu May 24 Jake Melnyk 7:30 FREE Wilmington-based singer-songwriter visits Fountain for first time http://www.jakemelnyk.com/ Fri May 25 Near Myths 7:30 $3 Barton College prof Jim Clark brings his friends back to town. Their latest CD, "Wilson," features a nice shot of Vollis Simpson whirleygigs--and some excellent original music. http://thenearmyths.com/home.html Sat May 26 Eric & Helen Thomas 7:30 $5 Folk and old-time musicians from the Triangle come to us highly recommended Sun May 27 CLOSED What You¹re Reading Each week, we send out a news release to 26 area newspapers and radio stations. The primary contents of each issue of Fountain AfterDark is that news release. The FAD distributed via e.mail contains no attachments. To add friends to our e.mail subscription list, send their e.mail address to ²fountainexpress@rafountain.com.³ To remove yourself from this list, reply to this e.mail with ²unsubscribe³ as either text or subject of your e.mail. Our e.mail list is not sold or traded or otherwise shared with anyone. Please let us know of any suspected abuses of the Fountain AfterDark/Fountain Express distribution list. -30- Fountain AfterDark vol. 3, no. 16 € April 18, 2007 published weekly by R.A. Fountain, General Store & Internet Cafe Bluegrass & Jazz this Weekend in Fountain: Steve Creech Sextet Friday, Hickory Hill Saturday, Jimmy Aycock Free-at-3:00 Sunday, Bluegrass Jam Returns € May Schedule Features Bluegrass Festival, 17 Live Shows € Fountain Artists Play Shakori Hills € Don Helms & Malpass Bros Next Wednesday! [Fountain, NC] The Steve Creech Sextet on Friday and the return of Hickory Hill Bluegrass on Saturday highlight the upcoming 4-day weekend of live music in Fountain that also includes a bluegrass jam and a free Jimmy Aycock piano conert. Creech, the Greenville guitarist who works several lineups of the region's best jazz talent into his various shows, will feature vocalist Jerry Jolley of Rocky Mount and Fremont's Jimmy Aycock on piano. Jolley, a graduate of Mars Hill College and the New Orleans Baptist Seminary, is minister of music at Lakeside Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, a position he has also held at First Baptist Church in Greenville, SC and Jarvis Memorial United Methodist Church in Greenville, NC. He has been featured soloist with symphony orchestras from New Orleans, Greensboro, Macon, Ga., Columbus, Ga., and Greenville, SC. Jolley has sung professionally throughout the US and South America, and in Greece, Lebanon, Israel. "Jerry's got a beautiful big voice," said Alex Albright, Fountain General Store proprietor. "He reminds you of Paul Robeson." "This is a show that could play in Vegas," noted Albright. "It's remarkable that we have such jazz talents so close by." Jimmy Aycock was recently named a Tar Heel Icon and is to be featured in an upcoming PBS documentary. He has performed with Creech on several occasions in Fountain to such great acclaim that he returns on Sunday afternoon for a free piano concert. Joining Creech, Jolley, and Aycock will be Keith Dobbins on bass, Earle Abernethy on drms, and trumpeter Les Sutorious, on loan for the evening from his own Dixieland jazz band. The Steve Creech Sextet's April 20 concert begins at 8 p.m. General admission is $5; reserved seats are $8. Hickory Hill Bluegrass is a Sandhills-based quintet of pickers who specialize in original and classic bluegrass and bluegrass gospel. They are fronted by Donna Spivey, who plays guitar, sings, and writes original songs for the band. Also in Hickory Hill are Etheridge Hewett on mandolin, Tammy Holt on bass, Clyde Prevatte on dobro, and Richard Viso on banjo. Hickory Hill Bluegrass's April 21 concert begins at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $5. The long weekend of live music in Fountain kicks off with a free bluegrass jam on Thursday night. All levels of pickers and listeners are welcome, said Albright. Showtime on April 19 is 7:30. Jimmy Aycock's Sunday piano concert is part of Fountain General's Free-at-3:00 series that will run through the summer. Aycock promises a free-wheeling afternoon's tour through jazz and show classics, all performed on his new Yamaha keyboard. 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 alochol-free. For further information visit www.rafountain.com or visit www.rafountain.com. -30- Don Helms & Malpass Brothers Added to April Music Lineup [Fountain, NC] Don Helms and the Malpass Brothers return to Fountain on Wednesday, April 25, for a 7:30 concert of classic country, bluegrass, and a tribute to Hank Williams by his steel guitarist, Mr. Don. Helms and wife Hazel are both feeling well and up to traveling again, Andrea Malpass, Christopher and Taylor's mother, reported two weeks ago when this show was booked. Helms' signature steel guitar defines much of the Hank Williams sound. He played on most of Williams' recordings as well as those of over 40 other Country Music Hall of Fame musicians. Reservations are highly recommended for this show. The Helms-Malpass show will also stop over in Selma at the Ice House on April 28. Five Fountain Acts Featured at Shakori Hills [Chatham County] Four acts popular at Fountain General Store--and one set to debut her act here in September--will be featured at the Shakori Hills Roots Music Festival, upcoming this weekend in rural Chatham County, near Pittsboro. Spring Shakori--http://www.shakorihills.org/directions/ --runs from April 19-22. The family oriented event features multiple stages of live music, camping, crafts, food, and sustainable-living exhibits. Performers include Lightnin' Wells, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and Unknown Tongues, all popular with Fountain audiences, and Michael Holland, whose band Big Fat Gap has been on our list of want-to-sees since Michael first played here soon after we opened. Also at Shakori is blueswoman Brenda Linton, a Washington, NC native who performs original and classic blues nationwide. She'll be at Fountain General Store on September 22. May Live Music Schedule Released Fri May 4 Claude Bourbon 8 p.m. $5 Swiss guitarist now living in England returns to Fountain for evening of exquisite classical & jazz-infused blues http://www.claudebourbon.com/ Sat May 5 Bluegrass festival--in conjunction with the Town of Fountain's Old Time Festival--with Untravelled Road (2 p.m), Smith Brothers Bluegraass Band (7 p.m.), and others TBA. FREE http://www.gigmasters.com/artists/UntravelledRoad/ Sun May 6 Adam Stone Free-at-3:00 Original music and contemporary covers, from Wilson Thu May 10 Jon Durham & Forlorn Hope 7:30 FREE Bailey native returns for homecoming show of original music http://www.jondurham.net/jon_durham001.htm Fri May 11 Lightnin' Wells 8:00 $5 Fountain's own internationally renowned bluesman offers up a full evening of Piedmont & Delta blues, vaudeville hokum, classic pop and country tunes from the 20s & 30s, and a whole lot more http://lightninwells.com Sat May 12 Travis Chandler & Avery County 8:00 $5 Chandler recently moved to Wilson, and he's got a terrific bluegrass band he's anxious to show off to folks in Fountain. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=42784279 Sun May 13 Donald Underwood Thompson Free-at-3:00 Kinston's Thompson performs classic blues, country, folk, and vaudeville Sun May 13 Buckler 7:30 $2 A Christian-themed rock n roll band with a cult-like following, on tour to support their latest CD, "Muzykstyk." http://www.bucklermusic.com/ Thu May 17 Bluegrass jam 7:30 FREE Our monthly jam is open to all levels of pickers and fans of bluegrass music Fri May 18 Kickin' Grass 8:00 $5 One of the hottest bluegrass bands in the Southeast makes its first appearance in Fountain, promoting their CD "On the Short Rows." http://www.kickingrass.com/ Sat May 19 Ted Jones & the Tarheels 8:00 $5 Classic bluegrass from a young mandolin master and his band http://www.lgma.info/tedjonesandthetarheelboys/ Sun May 20 Take 2 & Ramblin' Rose Free-at-3:00 Roanoke Rapids-based bluegrass gospel band Thu May 24 Jake Melnyk 7:30 FREE Wilmington-based singer-songwriter visits Fountain for first time http://www.jakemelnyk.com/ Fri May 25 Near Myths 7:30 $3 Barton College prof Jim Clark brings his friends back to town. Their latest CD, "Wilson," features a nice shot of Vollis Simpson whirleygigs--and some excellent original music. http://thenearmyths.com/home.html Sat May 26 Eric & Helen Thomas 7:30 $5 Folk and old-time musicians from the Triangle come to us highly recommended Sun May 27 CLOSED What You¹re Reading Each week, we send out a news release to 26 area newspapers and radio stations. The primary contents of each issue of Fountain AfterDark is that news release. The FAD distributed via e.mail contains no attachments. To add friends to our e.mail subscription list, send their e.mail address to ²fountainexpress@rafountain.com.³ To remove yourself from this list, reply to this e.mail with ²unsubscribe³ as either text or subject of your e.mail. Our e.mail list is not sold or traded or otherwise shared with anyone. Please let us know of any suspected abuses of the Fountain AfterDark/Fountain Express distribution list. -30- Fountain AfterDark vol. 3, no. 15 € April 11, 2007 published weekly by R.A. Fountain, General Store & Internet Cafe Bluegrass, Country, Southern Gospel this Weekend in Fountain: Harrison, Hollis & Gastor Friday, Charlie Flowers & Int'l Harvesters Saturday, & Called Out Free-at-3:00 Sunday [Fountain, NC] A trio of local superpickers on Friday night, a Wilson County country band Saturday, and the first appearance of a Southern gospel quartet on Sunday afternoon complete a busy weekend of music at Fountain General Store. Harrison, Hollis, and Gastor are a trio of the region's best bluegrass pickers playing together publicly for the first time. Frankie Harrison of Williamston is considered by many to be the fastest mandolin picker in eastern NC. Lane Hollis of Greenville joins him on fiddle and banjo. Keith Gastor of Bailey plays banjo and guitar. They have each built solid reputations performing with other bands over many years. Harrison has performed in Fountain with Springreen Grass, Allan Thompson, and Les Sandy's Other Band, with whom he also recorded Sandy's debut CD. Hollis also has performed with Springreen Grass and is a regular with Greenville Grass. Gastor also peformed and recorded with Les Sandy's Other Band and he shared lead singing in Bluegrass Redemption with the late Johnny Batchelor. Harrison, Hollis and Gastor promise a night of classic bluegrass and bluegrass gospel songs played with energy and great passion. Their April 13 concert begins at 7:30; general admission is $5. Charlie Flowers and the International Harvesters is one of the most popular country music acts to come out of Wilson County. "That's the country music capital of eastern Carolina," said Alex Albright, Fountain General Store proprietor. "Charlie's got a great following, and he's a real entertainer--very charismatic." Flowers assembles an all-star band of local talent for his performances, which feature country and honky-tonk classics. When not performing with his band or at karoke shows throughout the region, Flowers is an English teacher and baseball coach at Elm City Junior High. Charlie Flowers and the International Harvesters' April 14 concert begins at 7:30; general admission is $5. Called Out, based out of Greenville, has been performing Southern gospel for over ten years. Sunday's free-at-3:00 concert is their first at Fountain General Store and it marks the first appearance there by a Southern gospel group. "Bluegrass and bluegrass gospel have always been our most popular styles to present," said Albright, whose uncles in Alamance County performed Southern gospel as the Albright Brothers for many years. "I know a lot of folks around here love Southern gospel, too, and we hope to be bringing more of this style of music to town." Southern gospel is characterized by its strong vocals, tight harmonies and spare instrumentation. Many groups perform acapella, or with only a piano accompaniment. Called Out's motto is "sharing God's message through song." Original member Randy Everette, from Falkland, sings lead. He attends Beacon Free Will Baptist Church in Farmville. Michael Pollard, of Belvoir, sings bass; he attends Hickory Grove FWB Church. The husband-wife duo of Jay and Gina Tripp, from Greenville, sing baritone and soprano respectively; they attend King's Crossroads FWB Church. Called Out's April 15 free concert begins at 3:00 p.m. R.A. Fountain, General Store and Internet Cafe, is located in historic downtown Fountain, at the intersection of US 58 and NC 222. Its family atmosphere is smoke- and alcohol-free. For further information, visit www.rafountain.com or call 252-749-3228. -30- photo of Called Out at http://www.geocities.com/mjs1198/Glossy8x10.pdf Don Helms & Malpass Brothers Added to April Music Lineup 15 Nights of Live Music in April: Free-at-3 and Bluegrass Jam Return [Fountain, NC] Don Helms and the Malpass Brothers return to Fountain on Wednesday, April 25, for a 7:30 concert of classic country, bluegrass, and a tribute to Hank Williams by his steel guitarist, Mr. Don. Helms and wife Hazel are both feeling well and up to traveling again, Andrea Malpass, Christopher and Taylor's mother, reported last week. Helms' signature steel guitar defines much of the Hank Williams sound. He played on most of Williams' recordings as well as those of over 40 other Country Music Hall of Fame musicians. Reservations are highly recommended for this show. The Helms-Malpass show will also stop over in Smithfield on April 28. What You¹re Reading Each week, we send out a news release to 26 area newspapers and radio stations. The primary contents of each issue of Fountain AfterDark is that news release. The FAD distributed via e.mail contains no attachments. To add friends to our e.mail subscription list, send their e.mail address to ²fountainexpress@rafountain.com.³ To remove yourself from this list, reply to this e.mail with ²unsubscribe³ as either text or subject of your e.mail. Our e.mail list is not sold or traded or otherwise shared with anyone. Please let us know of any suspected abuses of the Fountain AfterDark/Fountain Express distribution list. -30- Begin forwarded message: Fountain AfterDark vol. 3, no. 14 € April 4, 2007 published weekly by R.A. Fountain, General Store & Internet Cafe Happy Easter! Unknown Tongues Plays Cajun Dance Music Friday € Bluegrass Saturday with Veazey Ridge Boys € Free Show Saturday Afternoon by Travelin' Californian Jon Crocker € Don Helms/Malpass Bros. added to April Lineup [Fountain, NC] The Unknown Tongues, coastal Carolina's own Cajun band, returns to Fountain General Store on Friday for a high energy evening of original and classic Cajun dance music. Two Saturday shows include a free afternoon set by Californian Jon Crocker, who is traveling through the southeast to promote his second CD on a national label, and an evening concert by the Veazey Ridge Boys, a bluegrass quintet from Granville and Warren counties. The Unknown Tongues -- http://www.unknowntongues.com/ -- are a popular attraction at festivals and dances throughout the region. They will perform at the Spring Shakori Hills music festival in a couple of weeks -- http://www.shakorihills.org/ Although its members all live around the fishing community of Gloucester, in eastern NC, the Tongues perform Cajun music with an authentic spirit and passion. Led by the husband-wife team of Barbara and Brian Blake, the Tongues also annually host a large family-style Mardi Gras party. "They know very well what it takes to entertain for a family event," said Alex Albright, Fountain General proprietor, "and they also know how to get folks up and dancing." Barbara Blake plays rub board, guitar, bass, and sings; Brian plays fiddle, pedal steel guitar, guitar, accordion, and sings. They are joined in the band by Todd Humphreys on bass and vocals and Tom Parker on drums. Barbara Blake is also the author of two books about the menhaden fishing industry: "Fish Factory" and "Fish House Opera" with Susan West; Brian owns and operates Blake Boatworks -- http://www.blakeboatworks.com/ The Unknown Tongues have released two CDs. Their April 6 show and dance begins at 8 p.m.; general admission is $7.50. Jon Crocker -- http://www.myspace.com/joncrocker -- AND http://joncrocker.com/ -- was born in Greenville, SC, but grew up in California, where he calls Ventura home. A one-man folk band, he accompanies himself on guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, whistling, and a wooden foot-drum. He has released 7 CDs, including his latest which this tour is promoting: "7 Days, 6 Nights," on the Portland, Oregon label Grey Dawn -- http://www.greydawnrecords.com/ Crocker performs a free set of original music at 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, April 7. The Veazey Ridge Boys -- http://www.geocities.com/dmiller466/veazeyridgeboys.html -- was formed in 2005 by former members of the Willow Creek Bluegrass Band and others who had been picking regularly at bluegrass jams in Elliott Wilder's Butner garage. They perform traditional bluegrass and bluegrass gospel. The Boys are popular throughout the upper piedmont and have begun to make a name for themselves at regional festivals, including the Littleton Lakefest, the Ridgeway Cantaloupe Festival, the Louisburg College Folk Festival, the Ridgeway Opry House, and the Creedmoor ³Music for Missions² Bluegrass Festival. The band is named to honor the Veazey Ridge community that was bulldozed by the US government in 1941 to make way for the construction of Camp Butner. Members include Alan Reid on banjo, David Averette and Elliott Wilder on guitars, David Miller on upright bass, and Carl Norgaard on mandolin. The Veazey Ridge Boys' April 7 concert begins at 7:30. General admission is $5. R.A. Fountain, General Store and Internet Cafe, is located in downtown Fountain, at the intersection of US 258 and NC 222. Its family atmosphere is smoke- and alcohol-free. For further information, visit www.rafountain.com or phone 252-749-3228 -30- Don Helms & Malpass Brothers Added to April Music Lineup 15 Nights of Live Music in April: Free-at-3 and Bluegrass Jam Return [Fountain, NC] Don Helms and the Malpass Brothers return to Fountain on Wednesday, April 25, for a 7:30 concert. Helms and wife Hazel are both feeling well and up to traveling again, Andrea Malpass, Christopher and Taylor's mother, reported yesterday. Helmss' signature steel guitar defines much of the Hank Williams sound. He played on most of Williams' recordings as well as those of over 40 other Country Music Hall of Fame musicians. Reservations are highly recommended for this show. The Helms-Malpass show will also stop over in Smithfield on April 28. Corrected April Schedule Sun 1 Flat Mountain Dulcimers Free 3 p.m. Fri 6 Unknown Tongues $7.50 8 p.m. Cajun dance music from eastern NC Sat 7 Jon Crocker FREE 4 p.m. Another MySpace-cadet stops by for a set to see why so many traveling troubadours find Fountain a cool place to play. Sat 7 Veazey Ridge Boys $5 7:30 p.m. Traditional bluegrass & bluegrass gospel Fri 13 Harrison, Hollis & Gastor $5 7:30 p.m. Power pickers playing classic bluegrass Sat 14 Charlie Flowers & International Harvesters $5 7:30 p.m. Elm City's Hootin' Cowboy brings his all-star country music band back to town Sun 15 Called Out Free 3 p.m. Southern gospel Thu 19 Bluegrass jam Free 7:30 p.m. Fri 20 Steve Creech Sextet $5 7:30 p.m. Sat 21 Hickory Hill Bluegrass $5 7:30 p.m. Sun 22 Jimmy Aycock Free 3 p.m. Piano virtuoso from Fremont, Aycock has dazzled us with his keyboard performances several times with Steve Creech. Wed 25 Don Helms & the Malpass Bros. $10 gen admission/ $12.50 reserved 7:30 p.m. Buy 'em early. Thu 26 Dan Frechette $5 7:30 p.m. From Winnipeg, Frechette put on one of the best original shows we've seen when he passed thru last year. We've finally gotten him nailed down for a return engagement. Highly original and entertaining. Fri 27 Martin & Johnson Stringband $5 7:30 p.m. This Triangle-based old-time band is tuning up in Fountain for the festival season. Sat 28 Cricket Band $5 7:30 p.m. Shelby & Linda Stephenson have assembled an all-star band that includes fiddler Les Sandy. They'll be playing mostly classic country in the Hank Williams vein. Sun 29 Brien Barber Free 3 p.m. Original Americana folk music Fountain General Closed Easter Sunday Fountain General Store will be closed Easter Sunday. Free-at-3:00 concerts will resume on April 15 with the Southern gospel group Called Out. What You¹re Reading Each week, we send out a news release to 26 area newspapers and radio stations. The primary contents of each issue of Fountain AfterDark is that news release. The FAD distributed via e.mail contains no attachments. To add friends to our e.mail subscription list, send their e.mail address to ²fountainexpress@rafountain.com.³ To remove yourself from this list, reply to this e.mail with ²unsubscribe³ as either text or subject of your e.mail. Our e.mail list is not sold or traded or otherwise shared with anyone. Please let us know of any suspected abuses of the Fountain AfterDark/Fountain Express distribution list. -30-