Lightnin’ Wells

Location: R.A. Fountain

from our promo for this concert

[Fountain, NC] Lightnin’ Wells returns to Fountain General Store for a Friday night concert of blues, folk, and early Americana music.

Sapony Creek, a 6-piece bluegrass band of Nash County pickers, plays a free show Saturday night that will also feature an open mic and bluegrass jam. 

Wells, who has lived outside Fountain for about five years, is among the most prominent of third generation Piedmont blues guitarists. 

But his solo concerts are much more than the blues, said Alex Albright, Fountain General Store proprietor: “Lightnin’s been performing solo here for almost 10 years, and he’s never done the same show twice. He adds historical details to many of the songs he performs, but more than anything, he’s an entertainer.” 

Wells concerts generally run well over two hours.

In addition to his vast repertoire of vintage Piedmont and Delta blues songs, Wells draws from virtually every category of popular American music from the early 20th century, including gospel, vaudeville hokum, bluegrass, and old-time mountain music.

Wells also accompanies himself on a variety of instruments: acoustic and resonator guitars, harmonica, banjo, and mandolin. He is an expert whistler and usually includes a yodeling song or two.

Tags: blues, Concert, Delta blues, folk, gospel, guitar, harmonica, old-time, Piedmont blues