October 2005

Live Music Begins at 7 p.m.

Historic Lincoln Theatre to Host Free Public Viewing for Song of the Mountains' Broadcast Premiere 

Marion , Va . - An evening of festivities celebrating the broadcast premiere of Song of the Mountains on Blue Ridge PBS will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20 in downtown Marion .

Song of the Mountains , a concert series featuring bluegrass and old-time music performed by the region's best musical talents, began videotaping in July during shows staged at The Lincoln Theatre. Those taped concerts, also sponsored by The Lincoln, have now been edited and are ready for broadcast to Blue Ridge PBS viewers.

The focus of the evening is a free viewing at The Lincoln Theatre, beginning at 8 p.m. A live feed from Blue Ridge PBS will be projected onto a 15'x20' screen, enabling viewers to watch the premiere of Song of the Mountains in its entirety as it is being broadcast throughout the station's viewing area.

The broadcast premiere, scheduled during BRP-TV's on-air fall fund drive, debuts two episodes. Lead-off performers are "Young Guns of Bluegrass" featuring the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band and No Speed Limit. The second episode, "In Harmony with the Hills," stars Fescue and The McPeak Brothers. Musicians appearing on the premiere hail from Smyth, Grayson and Wythe counties, as well as numerous locations nationwide.

The broadcast treats viewers to more than superb performances. Episodes include footage of regional scenery, profiles of band members, the history of The Lincoln Theatre, and a behind-the-scenes look at the television production itself.

Admission to the broadcast viewing at The Lincoln Theatre, sponsored by The Lincoln Theatre, Blue Ridge PBS, The Bank of Marion, TEDS, Inc., and Adelphia Communications, is free.

Prior to the broadcast, MarionDowntown! will sponsor "A Night on the Town." Participating merchants will stay open later than usual, giving theatregoers a chance to enjoy shopping and restaurants prior to the broadcast viewing.

Doors open and live music will begin at 7 p.m. at The Lincoln Theatre. Groups scheduled to perform are Fescue, the VW Boys and No Speed Limit. The public is cordially invited to join in this community celebration, free of charge.

Future broadcast dates in the Song of the Mountains series are set for Thursdays on Oct. 27, Nov. 10, Nov. 17 and Nov. 24, beginning at 10 p.m. each evening. Those episodes will include:

• "The Tradition Moves Forward" with Lonesome River Band, Trey Hensley & Drivin' Force, and the VW Boys
• "Celtic Connections" with Celtic Air and Fire in the Kitchen
• "Old School Spirit" with Mac Puckett & the Good Company Band, and Appalachian Trail
• "Family and Friends" with The Booher Family and Twin Springs

In addition to regional broadcasts on Blue Ridge PBS, the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) will distribute Song of the Mountains to its more than 90 PBS member stations nationwide.

Daveena Sexton, executive director at The Lincoln Theatre, heads the live concert series. The concerts are produced for broadcast by Jack K. Neal, president and general manager of Blue Ridge PBS. Tim White, a Bristol-based radio personality and performer, hosts the shows.

To learn more about Song of the Mountains , including concert dates, broadcast schedules and ticket information, visit www.songofthemountains.org