Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 3, 1994 TAG: 9406030082
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Donna Alvis Banks
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
West on U.S. 460 is the way to go tonight if you're looking for some top-notch country music.
Nashville recording artist Clinton Gregory is performing at the Pearis Theatre in an 8 p.m. benefit concert for YAPAH (Young Adults Preserving America's Heritage), a Pearisburg-based group whose aim is to restore and maintain local historical landmarks.
Gregory has had two hits on the country music charts: "Play Ruby Play" and "If It Weren't for Country Music (I'd Go Crazy)." The Martinsville native has established himself as a big talent in the country music capital.
In 1992, Gregory was honored by Music Row Magazine as the "Independent Artist of the Year." The magazine also picked "Play Ruby Play" as the year's top video.
Gregory's TV appearances include shows such as "Hee Haw," "Crook & Chase" and "Nashville Now." You might have seen his videos on your favorite country music TV station, too.
Gregory's recent accomplishments include a featured fiddle part on Mark O'Conner's "Diggy Diggy Low," a tune from his latest Warner Brothers album, "Heroes." He also plays fiddle on Marty Stewart's "The Devil Came Back to Georgia," a sequel to the popular "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."
Tickets for tonight's concert are $12.50 in advance or $14 at the door. The Pearis Theatre is at 111 S. Main St. in Pearisburg. Call 921-1992 for ticket information.
DECISIONS, DECISIONS: While Clinton Gregory is playing in Pearisburg, The Nashville Bluegrass Band will take the stage at the Old Narrows High School just down the road.
You might as well flip a coin. If you like country and bluegrass music, you've got a dilemma.
In 1992, The Nashville Bluegrass Band received a Grammy nomination for "Home of the Blues," a Sugar Hill Records release. Earlier nominations include one in 1990 for "The Boys are Back in Town" and another in 1988 for their work with Peter Rowan on "New Moon Rising."
From Carnegie Hall to the Grand Ole Opry, the band has audiences clapping loud and long. The first bluegrass group to play in the People's Republic of China, the group also has performed in England, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Brazil and Japan.
The band has produced six albums and is best known for its four-part harmonies. With Pat Enright on guitar, Alan O'Bryant on banjo, Stuart Duncan playing fiddle and mandolin, Roland White on mandolin and Gene Libbea on acoustic bass, the musicians also produce a full instrumental sound.
Bluegrass Unlimited describes their music as "a hairprickling, joyful noise." If you haven't heard NBB, imagine a blend of old-time, country, black gospel, bluegrass gospel and folk music, and you'll have a good idea of what you can expect.
Tonight's concert starts at 8. Tickets, $13, will be available at the Old Narrows High School.
SHAKIN' THE RAFTERS: The hallelujahs may shake the rafters in Pulaski Middle School tonight when the three gospel groups commence to singing.
WBLB is sponsoring this "Big Gospel Sing" featuring guest artists The Primitive from Candler, N.C., and The Redeemed from Rogersville, Tenn. The Nippers, a popular group from Pulaski, will perform, too.
Originally called the Riddle-Wilson Quartet when it was formed by two sets of brothers in 1973, The Primitive changed its name to reflect its old-time mountain style of singing and the comings and goings of musicians. Current members are brothers Reagan, Larry and Mike Riddle, Norman Furman, Charlie Chandler and Randy Fox.
The Redeemed got its name when one of the members described the group as "sinners redeemed by the blood of Jesus." The Rev. John North, his 17-year-old daughter Julia, Alan Cross, Mike Davis and Tony McGee have been singing gospel music for the past 11 years.
The Nippers have been together for over 18 years. Named after the lead singer and manager of the group, Larry Nipper, the singers are Kathy, Jason and Justin Nipper, Jonathan Hagee, John "Cotton" Hagee, Wayne Gray, Mike Collins, Don Taylor and Kevin Taylor.
Tonight's concert starts at 7:30. Advance tickets, $6, are available at WBLB in Pulaski and at Christian bookstores and other businesses in the area. Admission at the door is $8.
MEET MARTHA DILLARD: The Blacksburg artist took an interest in Flannery O'Connor's short stories a few years back and decided to do something about it. Her interest turned into a series of paintings that captured the lively imagery of the writer's work.
Dillard has exhibited the paintings in several states over the past two years. Recently, they were shown in Milledgeville, Ga., O'Connor's hometown. This month, the paintings will be on display at Montgomery Museum's Lewis Miller Regional Art Center in Christiansburg. This will be the last time the series is exhibited.
A reception for Dillard will be held at the museum Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. This is your chance to meet the artist and see her latest work.
Montgomery Museum is at 300 Pepper St. Regular hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.
LUNCH BREAK: The "Bach's Lunch" programs at Virginia Tech's Memorial Chapel will continue this summer with lots of local entertainment.
This Wednesday's noonday program features Fred Benfield. He will perform traditional and modern American folk music.
The concert is free and open to everyone. You're invited to bring your lunch and relax while you enjoy the music.
Questions? Call the chapel at 231-6240.
WHERE THE ACTION IS: Blacksburg's South Main Cafe has a full lineup of entertainment this week, starting with the popular Tiny Lights from Hoboken, N.J., tonight. House of Usher, a three-piece band from Charlotte, opens the show at 10.
On Sunday, the music starts at 8 p.m. with the David Nelson Band. Nelson has been performing since 1962, rubbing elbows with the likes of Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, Papa John Creach, Merle Saunders and others. He helped form The New Riders of the Purple Sage, one of the first country rock bands, and was the band's vocalist on its biggest hit, "Panama Red."
Thursday's show is a treat, too. Kiya Heartwood and her band, Stealin' Horses, will play original acoustic rock, folk and country music. Heartwood is becoming a well-known lyricist, writing songs the critics call "sensitive and emotive." Thursday's show starts at 10 p.m.
South Main Cafe offers entertainment each night. In addition to the touring musicians, local favorites are a big draw. Electric Woodshed plays Saturday and The Acoustic Kind will be there on Wednesday. The two bands are among Blacksburg's best.
The cafe is at 117 S. Main St. in downtown Blacksburg. Call 552-3622 for information about advance tickets and admission rates.
by CNB