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J.R. Stafford of Greenville, a frequent guest at our jams, brought his own band to town for a Friday night bluegrass concert. Joining him for this show: Marshall Stephenson of Raleigh on mandolin and guitar, Patty Hopkins of Williamston on fiddle, and several other special guests.
J.R. Stafford and the Mountain Boys have released two CDs, Blue Ridge Rain and Hold on to Your Britches.
What our promo said about Marshall and Patty at the time:
Stephenson has been playing, promoting, and recording bluegrass in eastern North Carolina since the 1960s. He is host of the Sunday night radio show “Bluegrass Train,” on Rocky Mount’s 98.5 FM. Now in syndication, the show is also broadcast on over 20 radio stations as well as on the web, at thebluegrasstrain.com.
Hopkins, who graduates as a music major studying violin from ECU this spring, has become a popular performer at bluegrass jams in the region. The bluegrass pieces she will perform in April will represent the first bluegrass ever allowed in a School of Music senior recital. Details on this free concert, in Fletcher Hall, will be announced in the Express as soon as they are available.
Bluegrass music, Hopkins says, has always been her passion: “I’m getting the degree for my mama, but as soon as I’m done with school, it’s nothing but bluegrass for me.” Hopkins has planned on moving to the Asheville area in search of a good bluegrass band to join. “We’re all hoping she’ll get comfortable with some of the good players in this region,” Albright said, “so maybe she’ll wind up sticking around a while.”
Tags: bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, Concert, tradtional bluegrass