By Marla Ballard
Reporter
SCOTTSBORO, ALA. – Cool breezes are ushering in autumn air and it’s the perfect time of year to grab the lawn chairs and sit out-of-doors and listen to some tunes. A Bluegrass music benefit for the VFW and American Legion will be held Friday and Saturday, October 14 – 15 at the Veteran’s Fairgrounds in Scottsboro. Friday night music headliner will be Carson Peters & Iron Mountain, Saturday’s headliner is Authentic Unlimited Band.
Friday nights headliner was previously on The Voice, The Grand Ole Opry, and the Steve Harvey Show. Saturday’s headliner is a newly formed band, but no strangers to the Bluegrass scene. Their reputation is already advertising them as some of the best in the industry. Other bands include; Southern Reign, Heavenly Honey, Billy Wise & Mountain Time, Zion Bluegrass District, Israel Clark, and more. The two-day festival will feature nearly a dozen bands along with arts and crafts, food vendors, a car show, and activities for children. Camper’s welcome.
Bluegrass music is a category of American roots music that developed in the Appalachian region of the United States in the 1940s. Initially included in the category of folk music, later coming under the heading of country and western. The term bluegrass wasn’t formally used until the late 50s and did not appear in the Music Index until the 1965.
The genre derives its name from the band Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, Monroe is commonly referred to as the “father of bluegrass.” Bluegrass music also derives its heritage from traditional English, Scottish, and Irish ballads. Settlers from Britain and Ireland arrived in Appalachia during the 18th century and brought with them the musical traditions of their homelands.
Bluegrass emphasizes the off-beat. Notes are anticipated, in contrast with laid back blues where notes are behind the beat, which creates the higher energy characteristic of bluegrass. The style largely developed out old-time string music traditionally played exclusively on acoustic instruments. Greats like Earl Scruggs later in the mid-40s developed the style even further.
The Scottsboro Fairgrounds are located at 220 Cecil Street, Scottsboro. Call Micah McCreary for more information 256-783-7018. Spaces are still available for entertainers and other festival activities.