Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys
Traditional West Virginia bluegrass
Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Admission: $10 | Youth 17 and younger: Free
Few bands are as closely woven into the musical life of Pocahontas County as the Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys.
Formed in 1968 and still led by banjo player and vocalist Richard Hefner, the group is recognized as West Virginia’s longest-running bluegrass band. The original group took its name from Black Mountain in Pocahontas County and spent five years performing a weekly radio show on WVAR in Richwood while appearing at festivals and community events throughout the region.
Hard-driving banjo, fiddle and mandolin, steady guitar and bass, and traditional bluegrass harmony remain at the heart of the band’s sound. Through changing lineups and generations of musicians, the Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys have remained closely connected to the community where they began.
Their annual December appearance at the Opera House has become a tradition of its own, feeling as much like a homecoming as a concert.
Richard Hefner’s music, history and stories are also featured in the Opera House’s Story Sessions podcast and video series.
Tickets are available online, at the door or at the 4th Ave Gallery (Pocahontas County Artisans Co-op).
Related feature: Richard Hefner - Opera House Story Sessions
The Pocahontas County Opera House Performance Series is presented with support from Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs and Festivals and the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau. This project is supported with financial assistance from the West Virginia Department of Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.
Check out the Podcast, Video and Audio Series
Featuring Richard Hefner, Dave Bing and more
