Fountain AfterDark vol 4, no January 3, 2008 published weekly by R.A. Fountain, General Store & Internet Cafe Bluegrass Mandolin Master Plays Fountain Saturday Night [Fountain, NC] Dick Staber, the mandolin-picking master, performs original and classic blulegrass and old-time music at Fountain General Store with his wife, Judith Chasnoff, this Saturday night. For much of the 1960s and 1970s, Staber was considered one of the best mandolin pickers in America. He abandoned the touring life to run a music hall in New York during the 1980s, and then resumed his public playing in the 1990s, after meeting Judith Chasnoff. Currently based in in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, the duo has produced four CDs since the mid-1990s. Their latest, "Looking for the Road," was released this past autumn. Bluegrass Unlimited praised their 2002 CD, "One More Journey," as a "musical work of art, abounding with tradition and creativity." Staber was mandolinist for Del McCoury and the Dixie Palls from 1969-75. In 1977-78, he played with Don Stover, and from 1978-80 with Bob Paisley and Southern Grass. During these years, he played on three of McCoury's albums and two of Paisley's and made three albums of his own, including "Pickin' Around the Cookstove," released by Rounder in 1974. A Brooklyn native, Judith Chasnoff studied voice at the High School of Music and Art in the 1960s but abandoned music to pursue Buddhist studies. In July 1993, she met Staber, who told her she would "learn to walk in the ways of the master, Bill Monroe." This is Staber and Chasnoff's third performance at Fountain General Store, which they visit annually en route to their winter retreat to Florida. "It's a lovely venue," Staber said. "And such good and attentive crowds, too." Staber and Chasnoff's January 5 concert begins at 7:30. General admission is $5; reserved seats are $7.50. 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- for photo of Staber and Chasnoff at Fountain General Store, see http://rafountain.com/pictures/staber&chasnoff/Staber&Chasnoff@RAF.jpg - - - The Martins Headline January's Live Music Schedule R.A. Fountain will present one show on most weekends in January, February, and March. Featured out-of-town acts in January include the Martins, the Missouri-based family quintet who stop by en route to this years SPBGMA awards in Nashville, and Staber and Chasnoff, from upstate New York. Dick Staber, former mandolinist with the Del McCoury band, returns on January 5 on his third annual migration south tour with wife, Judith Chasnoff, who plays guitar and joins him in singing. Also, Travers Chandler brings his hot bluegrass quartet to town on January 25. Except for their Wilson-based bandleader, these fellows live in Kentucky and Tennessee. They assemble for shows throughout the U.S., performing classic Baltimore bar room-style bluegrass, and we're fortunate to have them back in town simply because Travers wound up living nearby. Lightnin' Wells swore their last show here was the best bluegrass we'd hosted yet. Reserved seats for the Martins' Sunday afternoon show on January 27 are already selling. This will be our biggest bluegrass show to date. We managed to get them here because they are at a show in Richlands en route to their appearance in Nashville at the SPGMA awards. Sat Jan 5: Staber & Chasnoff 7:30 $5 http://www.staberandchasnoff.com/ Sat Jan 12: Highway 58 Bluegrass 7:30 $7.50 Clyde Mattocks' awesome bluegrass band returns, finally! Sat Jan 19: Steve Creech Sextet 7:30 $7.50 general admission; $10 reserved Jazzman Jimmy Aycock is back from his illness; Steve's got another all-star lineup, featuring vocalist Peggy Vaughn. Fri Jan 25: Travers Chandler and Avery County 7:30 $7.50 general admission; $10 reserved http://www.averycountybluegrass.com/ Sat Jan 26: Eric Thomas & Helen Wolfson 7:30 $5 Old-time, folk, and original music from this Triangle-based duet who was a big hit here their last time through. Sun Jan 27: the Martins 3 p.m. $7.50 general admission; $10 reserved Reserve your seats early! http://themartins.homestead.com/ - - - What You're Reading Each week, RAF sends out a news release to 26 area newspapers and¾radio stations. The primary contents of each issue of Fountain¾AfterDark is that news release. The FAD distributed via e.mail¾never contains¾attachments. To add friends to our e.mail subscription list, send their e.mail address to fountainexpress@rafountain.com. To remove yourself from this list, reply to this e.mail with "unsubscribe" 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 4, no 2ÊÊJanuary 10, 2008 published weekly by R.A. Fountain, General Store & Internet Cafe Highway 58 Plays High-Energy Bluegrass in Fountain Saturday Night - Paul Stephenson Funeral Held January 7Ê [Fountain, NC] Highway 58 brings its "straight-ahead bluegrass" show to Fountain Saturday night in a concert that features Snow Hill's Tim Myatt on banjo and band leader Clyde Mattocks on dobro. Mattocks, one of the original Super Grit Cowboys Êorganized Highway 58 as an outlet for his true musical passion, hard-driving classic bluegrass. ÊIn Tim Myatt, he has one of the premier banjo pickers in North Carolina. "Mr. Myatt's the one I kept hearing about before we opened," said Alex Albright, Fountain General Store proprietor. "And everything I heard about how good he played was true. It's always a special treat to have him back in our house. He's like the godfather of banjo pickers around here." "Tim's endorsing his own line of Myatt banjos," Mattocks reports, "made right here in Greene County." Other pickers in Highway 58 include Danny Morris on guitar, Don Batten on mandolin, and John Booker on bass. All the fellows share in singing. Mattocks, of Kinston, named his band for the NC highway that 2 of its members live on; a third lives just off it. "We play straight-ahead bluegrass," he said, "nothing but." Since performing in Fountain last summer, Mattocks has played at the Omagh, Ireland bluegrass festival, which he reports was "a real treat, seeing how they accept traditional American music ever better than over here." "This is one of the best bluegrass bands we book," said Albright. "Clyde makes a lot more money with Super Grit, so it's harder to get Highway 58 booked. But they're all excellent pickers, they clearly love what they're playing, and they're always crowd favorites. We're lucky Super Grit has the weekend off." Mattocks has released two solo CDs, both featuring all-star session musicians: "Hugging the Hound" and "Over My Shoulder." Highway 58's January 12 concert begins at 7:30. General admission is $7.50. 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, visit www.rafountain.com or call 252-749-3228. -30- Click on the link below to hear Clyde playing "G Whizz" http://rafountain.com/audio/mattocks_gwhizz.mp3 High resolution photo of Clyde Mattocks (banjo) and Don Batten (mandolin), performing with Highway 58 at Fountain General Store http://rafountain.com/pictures/Highway58/Hwy58_Clyde_lg.jpg Lower resolution photo of (l to r) John Booker, Don Batten, Clyde Mattocks, of Highway 58, performing at Fountain General Store http://rafountain.com/pictures/Highway58/58Mando_Jan06.jpg Paul Stephenson, of Stephenson Brothers and Linda, Buried January 7 [McGee's Crossroads, NC] Paul Stephenson, singer, guitarist, and comedian with the Stephenson Brothers and Linda, was buried Monday at Providence Presbyterian Church here. Stephenson, 79, died on January 4, 2008, at his home after a brief illness. "He was a sweet and funny fellow," said Alex Albright, Fountain General Store proprietor. "Paul was always a crowd favorite, and we're all going to miss him. You could tell by the outpouring of folks at the service what a beloved man he was in his community, too."Ê Over 200 filled every room of Stephenson's home church, where those who couldn't fit into the main sanctuary were able to share in the funeral service via closed-circuit television. An estimated 750 showed up for visitation the night before.Ê Born August 19, 1928, in Johnston County, W. Paul Stephenson, Jr. was the eldest son of the late William Paul and Maytle Johnson Stephenson. His first wife was the late Norma Jean Roberts Stephenson. Mr. Paul, as most folks called him, owned and operated Stephenson's Bar-B-Q and Stephenson's Nursery, both in McGee's Crossroads.Ê He was a prolific songwriter, and, in addition to the Stephenson Brothers and Linda, was a member of Life's Railway Singers. At Providence Presbyterian, he was a Sunday School teacher, superintendent, elder and choir member. In the community, he was active in Boy Scouting and the Ruritan Club. Survivors include his wife, Ann King Stephenson; four sons, Wayne Stephenson, Samuel Stephenson, Andrew Stephenson and Christopher Stephenson, all of McGee's Crossroads; three stepdaughters, Sherrie Byrd of Bunnlevel and Susan Rudd and Allison Tart, both of McGee's Crossroads;; a stepson, Steve Nordan of McGee's Crossroads; a sister, Rose Hollingsworth of Raleigh; two brothers, Marshall Stephenson of Raleigh and Shelby Stephenson of McGee's Crossroads. Memorials to Mr. Paul may be sent to the Providence Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 14664 N.C. 210, Angier, N.C. 27501; or to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's St., Suite 400, Raleigh, N.C. 27605-1276.Ê What You're Reading Each week, RAF sends out a news release to 26 area newspapers andÊradio stations. The primary contents of each issue of FountainÊAfterDark is that news release. The FAD distributed via e.mailÊnever containsÊattachments. To add friends to our e.mail subscription list, send their e.mail address toÊfountainexpress@rafountain.com. To removeÊyourself from this list, reply to this e.mail with "unsubscribe" asÊeither 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 4, no 3 January 17, 2008 published weekly by R.A. Fountain, General Store & Internet Cafe Steve Creech Septet Features Jazz Vocalist Peggy Vaughan, Pianist Jimmy Aycock Saturday Night - Mardi Gras Party Fat Friday for Friends of RAF Headlines February Music Schedule [Fountain, NC] Greenville guitarist Steve Creech fronts another sextet of outstanding soloists and ensemble performers at Fountain General Store this Saturday night. Vocalist Peggy Vaughan, who is director of music at Peach Presbyterian Church and general music and choral director at Arendell Parrot Academy in Kinston, is performing in Fountain for the first time. Aycock, a Fountain favorite, is making his first return visit since recovering from an extended illness that had him in treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital this past fall and early winter. "That was great news to hear that Jimmy would be back," said Alex Albright, store proprietor.æ Aycock, from Fremont, has recently retired as a career educator. He has been a Fountain favorite both as a soloist and as a featured artist with Creech's esembles, which perform in Fountain regularly in varying incarnations. Vaughan earmed bachelor's and master's of music degrees in vocal performance at Meredith College. She performed as featured soloist with the Virginia Choral Society, the Cantata Chorus, the Greenville Choral Society, the High Wickam (England) Choral Society, and the ECU Opera Theatre, among others. "Peggy's a sensational vocalist," said Creech, who noted that she is often to be found performing in such classical pieces as Mozart's "Coronation Mass" or Handel's "Messiah." Vaughan willæbe singing jazz standards as well as some familiar Broadway show tunes and old gospel numbers. "She has tremendous range and a beautiful soprano voice," added Creech. Also in Creech's all star band are trumpeter Les Sutorious,æDennis McGaughy, saxophone and clarinet; Keith Dobbins, electric bass; and Earle Abernethy, drums. Steve Creech Septet with Peggy Vaughan and Jimmy Aycock performs on January 19 at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $7.50; reserved seats are $10. 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, visit www.rafountain.com or call 252-749-3228. -30- Unknown Tongues Mardi Gras Party For Friends of RAF Kicks off February at Fountain General Store The Cajun dance band Unknown Tongues performs at a private party for Friends of RAF on Fat Friday, February 1. Gumbo and red beans and rice will be served around 6:30, with music beginning at about 7:30. A best mask and costume contest will be judged at intermission by Brian and Barbara Blake, who formed the Tongues more than a decade ago to pursue their love of Cajun and Zydeco music. Also at intermission, a giant king cake flown in from New Orleans will be served. Other February events at RAF 2 Bluegrass Jam 7:30 $5 http://www.thebluegrassjam.com/ Daniel Casey and his 11-year old daughter, Samantha, front this quartet that promises a great night of classic bluegrass and bluegrass gospel. Kids 12-and-under get in free, and get a cup of ice cream, too. 5 MARDI GRAS! Shanna Sharp 7:30 $5 æhttp://www.myspace.com/shannasharp Join us for a special Fat Tuesday show with guitarist and songwriter Sharp, who has been making it in New York City, where she performs regularly at the Bitter End. She's in Fountain on a Southern tour with keyboardist Brian Nash. 8 Buddy Zincone & Greenville Grass 7:30 $5 http://greenvillegrass.com/index.html Fountain favorites return for a great night of classic bluegrass. 9 Steve Creech Sextet 7:30 $7.50 general admission, $10 reserved seats http://home.earthlink.net/~cscreech/ Eastern NC's most popular jazz man is set to bring a fine jazz ensemble to town on the second Saturday of every month through June. 15 Bluegrass jam with the Smith Brothers Bluegraas Band 7:30 $5 Our bluegrass jam returns, this time on a Friday, and hosted by Rocky Mount's Smith Brothers, who specialize in classic bluegrass. All pickers get in free. 16 RAF's dark tonight; we're headed to the Unknown Tongues' own Mardi Gras celebration. 22 Nancy & Tammy Dail & Countryæ Roads 8 p.m. $8 general admission, $10 reserved seats http://www.thecountryroadsband.com/index.asp Eastern Carolina's best country music dance band returns to town for a dynamic show featuring the inimitable mother-daughter duo of Nancy & Tammy Dail. Reserved seats recommended. 23 Marlboro Boys 7:30 $5 Local favorites return for a great night of classic & original bluegrass gospel. 29 Jonathan Byrd & the McMaken Brothers 7:30 $5 http://www.jonathanbyrd.com/ These guys were sensational their first time through--a kind of Austin alt-country sound. Highly original and superb pickers. Byrd lives in Chapel Hill, the McMakens in Athens, Georgia. They don't get together for concerts too often, so we feel right special to have them in town again. What You're Reading Each week, RAF sends out a news release to 26 area newspapers and radio stations. The primary contents of each issue of FountainAfterDark is that news release. The FAD distributed via e.mail never contains attachments. To add friends to our e.mail subscription list, send their e.mail address to fountainexpress@rafountain.com. To remove yourself from this list, reply to this e.mail with "unsubscribe" asæeither 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 4, no 3 - EXTRAÊÊJanuary 19, 2008 published weekly by R.A. Fountain, General Store & Internet Cafe Steve Creech Septet CANCELLED for Tonight - Creech & Crew Return February 9 and ALL Second Saturdays thru June [Fountain, NC] Bad weather has forced cancellation of tonight's Steve Creech show. We hope to re-stage the same show February 9, pending musicians' schedules.Ê -30- Fountain AfterDark vol 4, no 4ÊÊJanuary 25, 2008 published weekly by R.A. Fountain, General Store & Internet Cafe Travers Chandler and Avery County Plays Baltimore Bar Room Bluegrass Tonight - The Martins in Big Bluegrass Show Sunday Afternoon - Eric Thomas and Helen Wolfson Play Folk, Celtic, Original Acoustic Saturday Night - Three Rows Already Reserved for Martins [Fountain, NC] The Martins, the prize-winning family quintet of pickers from Missouri, performs classic and original bluegrass and bluegrass gospel at Fountain General Store this coming Sunday afternoon, January 27. Wilson-basedÊTravers Chandler fronts the power pickers known as Avery County, who play BaltimoreÊbar room bluegrass tonight. Wilson native Eric Thomas with Helen Wolfson perform a concert on Friday night of original, folk, rock, Celtic, and country music. The Martins Êare from Jefferson City, Missouri. Their appearance in Fountain is just their second since winning the 2008 "best instrumental band" at the Midwest SPBGMA awards January 11-13 .ÊFour Martins were nominated as instrumentalist of the year: Larita on dobro; Jeana on fiddle; Dale on guitar; and Janice on banjo. Janice Martin was also nominated as traditional female vocalist of the year. The MartinsÊare repeat winners of theÊMidwest SPBGMA best instrumental band. Larita was also last year's dobro player of the year, and Janice, banjo player of the year. The band also won the on-site competition "SPBGMA International Band Championship" at last year's national awards in Nashville. The Martins have also recently released their second CD, "Cold Lonely Night." TheirÊnext booking after Fountain is a 3-day gig at the 2008 national SPBGMA convention and awards inÊNashville, Tennessee, February 1-3. "This is the biggest show we've hosted," said Alex Albright, store proprietor. "We're very fortunate to have them in the region and willing to play a little place like ours." The Martins' January 27 concert begins at 3 p.m. General admission is $7.50; reserved seats--highly recommended--are $10. Travers Chandler and Avery County Êis a quartet of super-pickers that assembles for gigs from their homes in Kentucky, Ohio, and Wilson, where bandleader Chandler re-located last year. They perform Baltimore barroom bluegrass at venues throughout the eastern United StatesÊin the style popularized by such artists as Red Allen, Buzz Busby, and Charlie Moore. It was a Moore tune that gave the band its name. Chandler, who plays mandolin and sings, is a former member of James King's Bluegrass Brothers. Chris Hill, banjo picker and vocalist, also has played in King's band; he lives in Covington, Ky. Ê Paul Priest, on bass, lives in Custer, Ky. He has played with Bobby Osborne, County Line Grass, and James Monroe.ÊMatt Jones, of Middletown, Ohio, plays rhythm guitar. He was with Larry Sparks and Blue and Lonesome for 10 years. "This is the best bluegrass band I've seen in Fountain," said local blues legend Lightnin' Wells after seeing them perform their last time in Fountain. "You don't see anybody doing this kind of bluegrass. These guys are really something." Travers Chandler and Avery County perform tonight at 7:30. General admission is $7.50. Wilson native Eric Thomas plays guitar and sings, both original compositions and classic rock. Helen Wolfson is an accomplished hammer dulcimer player who has released two CDs of her own music. Eric Thomas and Helen Wolfson perform on January 26 at 7:30. General admission is $5. R.A. Fountain,ÊGeneral 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.Ê For further information, visit www.rafountain.com or call 252-749-3228. - - - Unknown Tongues Play Mardi Gras Party For Friends of RAF to Kick off February Live Music Slate The Cajun dance band Unknown Tongues performs at a private party for Friends of RAF on Fat Friday, February 1. Gumbo and red beans and rice will be served around 6:30, with music beginning at about 7:30. A best mask and costume contest will be judged at intermission by Brian and Barbara Blake, who formed the Tongues more than a decade ago to pursue their love of Cajun and Zydeco music. Also at intermission, a giant king cake flown in from New Orleans will be served. Friends of RAF memberships are available for $10. Memberships should be purchased prior to this event. Further details will be distributed to our Friends list. Checks may be mailed to RAF, PO Box 44, FNTN NCÊ 27829-0044. Other February events at RAF 2 Bluegrass Jam 7:30 $5 http://www.thebluegrassjam.com/ Daniel Casey and his 11-year old daughter, Samantha, front this quartet that promises a great night of classic bluegrass and bluegrass gospel. Kids 12-and-under get in free, and get a cup of ice cream, too. 5 MARDI GRAS! Shanna Sharp 7:30 $5 Êhttp://www.myspace.com/shannasharp Join us for a special Fat Tuesday show with New York City-based guitarist and songwriter Sharp, who performs regularly at the Bitter End in her adopted home town. She's in Fountain on a Southern tour with keyboardist Brian Nash.Ê 8 Buddy Zincone & Greenville Grass 7:30 $5 http://greenvillegrass.com/index.html Fountain favorites return for a great night of classic bluegrass. 9 Steve Creech Sextet 7:30 $7.50 general admission, $10 reserved seats http://home.earthlink.net/~cscreech/ Eastern NC's most popular jazz man is set to bring a fine jazz ensemble to town on the second Saturday of every month through June. 15 Bluegrass jam with the Smith BrothersÊBluegrassÊBand 7:30 $5 Our bluegrass jam returns, this time on a Friday, and hosted by Rocky Mount's Smith Brothers, who specialize in classic bluegrass. All pickers get in free. 16 RAF's dark tonight; we're headed to the Unknown Tongues' own Mardi Gras celebration. 22 Nancy & Tammy Dail & CountryÊ Roads 8 p.m. $8 general admission, $10 reserved seats http://www.thecountryroadsband.com/index.asp Eastern Carolina's best country music dance band returns to town for a dynamic show featuring the inimitable mother-daughter duo of Nancy & Tammy Dail. Reserved seats recommended. 23 Marlboro Boys 7:30 $5 Local favorites return for a great night of classic & original bluegrass gospel. 29 Jonathan Byrd & the McMaken Brothers 7:30 $5 http://www.jonathanbyrd.com/ These guys were sensational their first time through--a kind of Austin alt-country sound. Highly original and superb pickers. Byrd lives in Chapel Hill, the McMakens in Athens, Georgia. They don't get together for concerts too often, so we feel right special to have them in town again. What You're Reading Each week, RAF sends out a news release to 26 area newspapers andÊradio stations. The primary contents of each issue of FountainÊAfterDark is that news release. The FAD distributed via e.mailÊnever containsÊattachments. To add friends to our e.mail subscription list, send their e.mail address toÊfountainexpress@rafountain.com. To removeÊyourself from this list, reply to this e.mail with "unsubscribe" asÊeither 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 4, no 5ÊÊJanuary 30, 2008 Mardi Gras Mambo published weekly by R.A. Fountain, General Store & Internet Cafe Kid-Sensation Fiddler Fronts All-Star Bluegrass Band Saturday Night - Unknown Tongues Plays Fat Friday Party for Friends of RAF - New York Rocker Shanna Sharp in Concert on Fat Tuesday - Chris Malpass Left Goldsboro Today to Join Merle Haggard for their Upcoming Tour Together - RAF's February Live Music Calendar [Fountain, NC] Samantha Casey, the 11-year old fiddling sensation from Goldsboro, plays Fountain General Store on Saturday night with an all-star bluegrass band that includes her dad, Daniel, on banjo; Jeff Huffman on guitar; and Kenneth Glover on bass. The Cajun dance band Unknown Tongues Êperforms for a private party for Friends of RAF on Friday night (see story below), and New York rocker Shanna Sharp presents a Mardi Gras day concert on Fat Tuesday. Samantha and dad Daniel won last year's Oreos and Milk ad campaign competition and subsequently performed on several national television shows. They have been playing throughout eastern NC as a duo. Tonight's special show also features Jeff Huffman, son of the legendary Roby Huffman, and Fountain favorite Glover, who has performed here with several outstanding bluegrass bands. Samantha Casey Êand Bluegrass Jam's February 2 concert begins at 7:30. General admission is $5; reserved seats are $7.50. Children 12 and under are free for this evening's show, and they will also get free homemade ice cream. Shanna Sharpe is an Alabama native; she performs regularly at the Bitter End in New York City, where she now lives. She will be accompanied in this special Mardi Gras day concert by keyboardist Brian Nash. Her February 5 concert begins at 7:30; general admission is $5.Ê - - - Fat Friday Fun in Fountain, for Friends Only [Fountain, NC] The Cajun dance band Unknown Tongues plays for a private party forÊthe friends and supporters of R.A. Fountain Friday night.Ê RAF's Fat Friday party includes gumbo, red beans and rice, and sweet iced tea. Friends are welcome to bring along a side dish, or lagniappe , if you will--a salad, a dessert, or bread--and their own beverage.Ê Food will be served at about 7 p.m.; music is set to begin about 8:00. At least twoÊKing Cakes, flown in from New Orleans, will be served at intermission, when the best costume and mask competitions will also be judged, by Bryan and Barbara Blake. Cofffe&'s king cake arrived today;Êthe one from Haydel's Êis on its way.Ê Best Costume and Best Mask winners will receive $50 gift certificates. Runners-up win $25 certificates.Ê "Friends of RAF" are folks who appreciate and support the venue's efforts at promoting live and acoustic music in eastern NC. Anyone interested in becoming a "Friend" should contact proprietor Alex Albright at Fountain General Store, 749-3228, or alex@rafountain.com. Ê- - - Chris Malpass Leaves Goldsboro for West Coast Tour with Merle Haggard [Goldsboro, NC] Chris Malpass left Goldsboro this morning, west-coast bound for a series of February concerts with country music legend Merle Haggard. Malplass was last with Haggard before Christmas, when he recorded several songs, including one that Haggard had written especially for Chris Malpass to sing. On this California trip, they will also record two more Haggard originals penned for Chris.Ê Merle Haggard with Chris Malpass shows are set for three California dates, February 10 in Jackson, February 11 in San Francisco, February 13 in Bakersfield, and February 15 in West Wendover, Nevada. Ticket prices range from $125-300. Concert dates are being planned for an April tour, said Andrea Malpass, Chris's mom.Ê"It's all surreal," she added.Ê Son Taylor also has an open invitation to join in on any of these upcoming shows. Taylor is a high school senior who couldn't make this February trip, but April's tour is still a good possibility for him, Andrea added. The Malpass Brothers are holding off on booking regional shows, as they await how this latest chapter in their lives unfolds.Ê --- February Live Music at RAF 1 Unknown Tongues Private PartyÊ 2 Bluegrass Jam 7:30 $5 http://www.thebluegrassjam.com/ Daniel Casey and his 11-year old daughter, Samantha, front this quartet that promises a great night of classic bluegrass and bluegrass gospel. Kids 12-and-under get in free, and get a cup of ice cream, too. 5 MARDI GRAS! Shanna Sharp 7:30 $5 Êhttp://www.myspace.com/shannasharp Join us for a special Fat Tuesday show with New York City-based guitarist and songwriter Sharp, who performs regularly at the Bitter End in her adopted home town. She's in Fountain on a Southern tour with keyboardist Brian Nash.Ê 8 Buddy Zincone & Greenville Grass 7:30 $5 http://greenvillegrass.com/index.html Fountain favorites return for a great night of classic bluegrass. 9 Steve Creech Sextet 7:30 $7.50 general admission, $10 reserved seats http://home.earthlink.net/~cscreech/ Eastern NC's most popular jazz man is set to bring a fine jazz ensemble to town on the second Saturday of every month through June. 15 Bluegrass jam with the Smith BrothersÊBluegrassÊBand 7:30 $5 Our bluegrass jam returns, this time on a Friday, and hosted by Rocky Mount's Smith Brothers, who specialize in classic bluegrass. All pickers get in free. 16 RAF's dark tonight; we're headed to the Unknown Tongues' own Mardi Gras celebration. 22 Nancy & Tammy Dail & CountryÊ Roads 8 p.m. $8 general admission, $10 reserved seats http://www.thecountryroadsband.com/index.asp Eastern Carolina's best country music dance band returns to town for a dynamic show featuring the inimitable mother-daughter duo of Nancy & Tammy Dail. Reserved seats recommended. 23 Marlboro Boys 7:30 $5 Local favorites return for a great night of classic & original bluegrass gospel. 29 Jonathan Byrd & the McMaken Brothers 7:30 $5 http://www.jonathanbyrd.com/ These guys were sensational their first time through--a kind of Austin alt-country sound. Highly original and superb pickers. Byrd lives in Chapel Hill, the McMakens in Athens, Georgia. They don't get together for concerts too often, so we feel right special to have them in town again. - - - What You're Reading Each week, RAF sends out a news release to 26 area newspapers andÊradio stations. The primary contents of each issue of FountainÊAfterDark is that news release. The FAD distributed via e.mailÊnever containsÊattachments. To add friends to our e.mail subscription list, send their e.mail address toÊfountainexpress@rafountain.com. To removeÊyourself from this list, reply to this e.mail with "unsubscribe" asÊeither 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-