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Songster Riley Baugus at the Blue Ridge Music Center October 6 While Riley Baugus grew up near Winston-Salem, his family came from Ashe County, North Carolina. Baugus grew up steeped in the music traditions of the mountains where he learned to sing unaccompanied ballads, and to play the banjo, fiddle, and guitar from his family and many older traditional musicians in North Carolina and Virginia. Hailed as one of the bearers of traditional Southern mountain music, Baugus is helping to usher American roots music into the next generation. He is sought after as a banjo builder as well as a studio and touring musician: his handcrafted Civil War-era banjos and voice were featured on the Cold Mountain soundtrack, he joined Willie Nelson for his Country Music album and tour, and he headed to the studio to play on Robert Plant and Alison Krauss? Grammy-winning album, Raising Sand. Baugus has also collaborated with Laurelyn Dossett and Preston Lane of Triad Stage on theatrical presentations featuring original and traditional southern Appalachian music. In addition to his solo work, Baugus plays with the Dirk Powell Band and with Kirk Sutphin, and is a frequent guest with Polecat Creek and Tim O?Brien. The Blue Ridge Music Center's visitor center is open daily, 10-5. Come early to view the Roots of American Music exhibit which includes a banjo made by Riley Baugus. The Music Center also features free Midday Mountain Music performances daily from noon to 4 p.m. and scenic trails for the novice and seasoned hiker. The visitor center and museum are open through Sunday, October 28. The site is operated through a partnership between the National Park Service and Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. For more information, visit BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org. Riley Baugus ********************************* |