The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail (TCR) is pleased to announce a new music series at Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway in Abingdon from October 20 toDecember 29.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 12, 2011 Contact: Jack Hinshelwood The Crooked Road Tel. (276) 492-2402 Email: jhinshelwood@thecrookedroad.org The Crooked Road Kicks Off Music Series at Heartwood The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail (TCR) is pleased to announce a new music series at Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway in Abingdon from October 20 to December 29. The six events will showcase communities of the region through their traditional music venues and their youth music. The music series will begin Thursday, October 20th at 6:00 pm with one of the three planned Youth music concerts featuring the PICK Program with guest master musician Dave Eggar, and Raisin’ Cain from Washington County. PICK is an after school music program that teaches the musical traditions of the Appalachian Mountains to Buchanan County students. Students learn to play traditional tunes on the guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and bass from master musicians of the region. Students learn songs, hear the stories behind the songs, and learn the lessons of community and family relationships that knit local history to the present and the future. PICK began in 2007 and has served over 1,000 students. Dave Eggar has appeared worldwide as a solo cellist and pianist. A virtuoso of many musical styles, Dave has performed and recorded with artists in numerous genres including Evanescence, The Who, Michael Brecker, Josh Groban, Coldplay, Beyonce, Pearl Jam, Fall Out Boy, Dave Sanborn, Kathleen Battle, Ray Lamontagne, Roberta Flack, The Spin Doctors, Dianne Reeves, Brandy, Carly Simon, Phil Ramone, Hannah Montana, Duncan Sheik, Sinead O’Connor, Bon Jovi, Manhattan Transfer, Corinne Bailey Ray and many more. Raisin' Cain is a bluegrass band based in Bristol, VA, which has a unique sound, concentrating on harmony vocals & showcasing the musical talent of each band member. The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail One Heartwood Circle Abingdon, VA 24210 www.thecrookedroad.org (276) 492-2409 info@thecrookedroad.org The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail –Press Release 10/12/11 page 2 of 2 Members include: Courtney Wright, banjo/vocals; Ricky McReynolds, mandolin/vocals; Crystal Shipley, fiddle/vocals; Matt Osborne, guitar/vocals and Jamie Booher on bass. Raisin' Cain performs a variety of old and new bluegrass, and every song features tight harmony and hard drivin' music. “As anyone who has attended youth competitions at events like the Galax Fiddlers Convention can attest, the level of talent among the region’s youth is astounding.� says Jonathan Romeo, Program Director for The Crooked Road’s Traditional Music Education Plan initiative. “These youth are tremendous ambassadors for the traditional music of their home communities�. Additional youth groups to be featured in the music series through December 29 include the Honaker FFA Bluegrass Band from Russell County, Mountain Music School String Band from Big Stone Gap, the Floyd Music School, and the Albert Hash Memorial Band from Grayson County. The series also showcases Venues of the Crooked Road region. The traditional music of Southwest Virginia thrives in many well established jam sessions along The Crooked Road. “As part of this music series, we have arranged for these amazing gatherings to literally pick up and come do their thing at Heartwood�, says Crooked Road Executive Director Jack Hinshelwood. “The idea is to introduce these Jams to new audiences at Heartwood and give the audience members a taste of what they can experience if they go see these Jams in their home location�. The Jam Sessions to be featured include the Historic 1908 Courthouse Jam from Independence on November 3, the Smyth County Jam from Chilhowie on December 1, and the Lays Hardware Jam from Coeburn on December 29. Performers will include those who regularly attend those jams but all jam minded musicians are welcome to join in just as they are at any jam session. A complete schedule for the music series is available on The Crooked Road website at www.thecrookedroad.org. Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway is located off I-81 at Exit 14 in Abingdon, Virginia and features food, music and craft of Southwest Virginia. The music series is sponsored by The Crooked Road, Heartwood, the Appalachian Regional Commission, The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, The Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Admission is free but donations will be accepted for the series performances. For more information call (276) 492-2409 or email: info@thecrookedroad.org.