Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Blues Festival North Carolina Programs Draw Music Lovers Of All Ages

By Maryanne Goff


Music lovers descend on the Tar Heel state to enjoy the season and its fertile talent pool. Blues Festival North Carolina events offer something to please everyone. The Piedmont sound and legendary native performers have left an indelible mark on American music through the years. North Carolina has a lot to offer in its annual festivals.

The sheer variety of different expressions of regional styles will be on show in the diversity of musical performances. The regional variations have produced a variable mixture. The richness of the offerings will be on display with soul, swamp blues, gospel, surf music and rockabilly included in the mix.

The local Piedmont techniques have acquired an international respect with the Rolling Stones introducing this sound to their audience in the 1960s. The group gave the mainstream audience a taste of something different from the known Delta sound. This subgenre is identified by the geography of the Appalachian region. Its artisans, however, can hail from regions beyond its territory. From as far as Maryland, artists are rooted in this style.

Since the Depression, Durham has been the heart of this distinctive style which developed its own traditions through artists invited to entertain at celebrations and dances, a lighter spirit infuses this sound. The musical influences in this mix include marching bands, country music and ragtime. Their inclusion has broadened the diversity of its repertoire.

Although each artist reflects a personal vision, the method of fingerpicking and absorption of other musical influences is a shared signature. The continuous link between the past and the present has built a foundation for new generations to follow. The deep pool of talent and the number of artists who lay claim to its roots reveals talented players a plenty are available to fill the ticket each year.

There is something for every music lover to enjoy being offered from April through October. Festival junkees are already aware of the regional hosts of the most well known events. Major shows are confined to a handful of urban locations. But minor shows are held throughout the state. Information available online will provide more information about the various shows.

The major show season begins with the May event in Greensboro. Every year at Festival Park the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society hosts the celebration. At concerts each month the Society hosts opportunities to hear good music in the city. The Cape Fear Society in Wilmington highlights the artists of the region in the third weekend each July. This program runs for three days and is full of activities to keep attendees busy from start to finish. The Society sponsors other events as well to support the tradition in the region.

The grand showcase is the annual Bull Durham show is held in September. Since 1988 its program has offered memorable performances in its festivities. This nationally known musical exhibition continues to be a major draw. The famous show has lived up to its reputation each year and grown its audience as a result. In Raleigh, the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music sponsors many events. In Salisbury, the Rowan Society holds its exhibition of local artists and bands in October. Fortunate listeners will enjoy all the talent on offer during the blues festival North Carolina events.




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