The Mountain Times’ Summer Guide
The Doc is IN!
PAGE 110
2009
Music Fest in Sugar Grove celebrates Doc Watson’s heritage
If you enjoy good music and the fresh mountain air, you need to make it a point to attend this year’s 12th annual MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove. With headliners including Doc Watson, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Kruger Brothers, and Steep Canyon Rangers, we’ve got something for everyone. For many people the very definition of Bluegrass will include the words Doc Watson. The Carolina Chocolate Drops, playing many creative and grassroots instruments are true crowd pleasers, while the Kruger Brothers, originally from Switzerland, combine traditional and contemporary musical styles to create a unique and beautiful sound. Being nominated for 2 International Bluegrass Music awards in 2008, the Steep Canyon Rangers are a sound to hear. Other bands entertaining will include Lost Ridge Band, Southern Accent, Andy Owens Band, Amantha Mill, the Forget Me Nots, Lost Faculties, and more. This year’s festival will be held on July 10th and 11th at the Historic Cove Creek School, just a short drive from Boone. Not only will a portion of the proceeds go to the Doc and Rosalee Watson Scholarship Fund, but your attendance will also help us maintain and preserve the Historic Cove Creek School while carrying on our mountain music heritage. Besides the good music and family fun, the Kruger Brothers will be hosting musician workshops in guitar, banjo, mandolin, and bass. Internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Andy Owens will also be hosting a Songwriter ’s Showcase! If you’re not already convinced, MusicFest is taking “Green” initiatives by implementing Southern Exposure’s Solar Stage and several green vendors. The festival will be held rain or shine, so mark your calendars and tell your friends! For more information, please visit www.covecreek.net or www.myspace.com/ musicfestnsugargrove.
Directions
Events at Historic Cove Creek School (Doc Watson Music Fest in July, Farm Heritage Days in September) are 7.3 miles west of Boone NC. Take US 421/321 west toward TN 5.2 miles. US 421 splits north toward Mountain City TN. US 321 splits west toward Hampton TN. Turn left on US 321 and go 1.1 miles to Sugar Grove. The Cove Creek Grocery is on the right, the Sugar Grove Post Office on the left. Turn right on Old US 421 just past the Cove Creek Grocery. Follow signs for parking for the events. To get to the Historic Cove Creek School building, after turning on Old US 421, turn left at George’s Gap Road. Follow it around the bends, past Skyline Telephone, to Dale Adams Road on the right. Turn right on Dale Adams Road. The school building is on the left. —Story by Melissa Edwards