Pocahontas County Opera House to Host Opry Night Featuring Long Point String Band, The Appalachian Country Cloggers, and Kanawha Tradition
The Pocahontas County Opera House is excited to announce the return of its popular Opry Night event on Saturday, February 18th at 7:30 PM. This year's lineup includes performances by the Long Point String Band, The Appalachian Country Cloggers, and Kanawha Tradition, showcasing the best in traditional music and dance from the region.
The Long Point String Band blends the authenticity of Old-Time Mountain Music with the flare of bluegrass. The LPSB is a highly decorated group consisting of the virtuosic stylings of Hunter Walker, Brian C. Bell, Lewis Prichard, and Lars Swanson. The Long Point String Band released their debut album, self-titled, in 2016. This album was a collection of old-time and Appalachian tunes. The debut album release was met with success and positive feedback from top musicians of their genre. The Long Point String band released their 2nd full-length album, “Piney Woods,” in 2018. Their 3rd offering from the LPSB, a live album, was released in May 2020. Recorded live at the Weathered Ground Brewery in October 2019, this album is a collection of old-time and bluegrass tunes that showcase each band member.
The Appalachian Country Cloggers were organized in 1991 by Lou Maiuri, who wanted to preserve traditional Appalachian dance forms. The group no longer competes but demonstrates Appalachian square dance figures while using Appalachian clogging and old-time flatfoot steps. The group also features a traditional square dance caller and instructions in traditional square dancing.
Kanawha Tradition will feature an all-star lineup of Vandalia award recipient Bobby Taylor, WV Folklife program master artist Kim Johnson, apprentice Cody Jordan, and bass player Nick Blake. Kanawha Tradition will be a unique opportunity to experience the traditional music and dance of the Kanawha Valley. This concert will feature some of the area’s most talented musicians and provide a glimpse into West Virginia’s rich musical heritage.
Tickets for the Opera House performance are $10 for adults and free for anyone 17 years old and younger. Tickets are available at pocahontasoperahouse.org, the 4th Avenue Gallery in Marlinton, and at the door the evening of the performance.
The Opera House Performance Series is presented with financial assistance through a grant from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. Support is also provided by Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs and Festivals, and the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Take advantage of this opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of West Virginia through the timeless art of traditional music and dance. Get your tickets now!
Kanawha Tradition
Kanawha Tradition is an old-time string band from the Charleston area of West Virginia. Leader of the band is Bobby Taylor, a 4th-generation fiddler. His great-grandfather, grandfather, and father were all well-known Roane County fiddlers. Bobby grew up in Dunbar and was influenced by the legendary fiddler Clark Kessinger, who lived just down the road in St. Albans. He also spent many years with the renowned fiddler Mike Humphreys, and learned many tunes from him. Bobby calls himself a melting pot of old-time fiddle styles, and can be heard at late-night jams at various festivals throughout West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky. He has also taken his music to Australia, Ireland, and Germany.
Cody Jordan is a vital part of the West Virginia old-time music scene. A native of Point Pleasant, and currently living in Charleston, he is well-known as a guitarist, banjo player, fiddler, as well as a fine singer. Cody can be heard at many of the area festivals such as the WV Folk Festival, the Vandalia Gathering, and Clifftop, as well as many of the square dances around West Virginia.
Kim Johnson is from Clendenin, West Virginia, and has been playing banjo since about 1977. She was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and had the chance to learn old-time music from Wilson Douglas, a well-known Clay County fiddler whose soulful mountain style of playing is much sought after yet today. After Wilson’s passing in 1999, Kim played for many years with Calhoun County fiddler Lester McCumbers, who passed away in 2015. She has recorded several projects with Wilson, Lester, as well as the Modock Rounders, a band from the Huntington area.
Nick Blake graduated Glenville State College with a BA in music with an emphasis in bluegrass, then going on to get a Masters in music Industry. Nick is an accomplished bass player, playing on stages such as Bill Monroe’s Bean Blossom, ROMP festival, Dream Mountain Bluegrass Festival, The Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia, and many more. Nick currently plays in the WV based bluegrass/country group Bronco Junction along with commonly sitting in with bands such as the Mack Samples Band, Miss Megan and Luke McKnight, The Buddy Griffin Band, Long Point String Band, John Lilly’s Hank Williams Tribute, The State Birds, and Kanawha Tradition,among others.
Long Point String Band
The Long Point String Band is a traditional music outfit from southern W.V. We blend the authenticity of Old-Time Mountain Music, with the flare of bluegrass, regularly playing musical selections from West Virginia old-time and bluegrass pioneers. The LPSB is a highly decorated group, consisting of the virtuosic stylings of Hunter Walker, Brian C. Bell, Lewis Prichard and Lars Swanson. The Long Point String Band released their debut, self-titled album in July, 2016. A collection of old-time, Appalachian tunes and band / festival favorites. Their debut album release was met with success and positive feedback from top musicians of their genre. The Long Point String Band released their 2nd full length album “Piney Woods”, which was released in August, 2018. The 3rd offering from the LPSB, a live album, was released in May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recorded live at the Weathered Ground Brewery in October 2019, this album is a collection of old-time and bluegrass tunes that showcase each member of the band. With more recordings and special projects on the horizon, the LPSB prides themselves on playing a full calendar of shows and special events throughout the region.
The Appalachian Country Cloggers
The Appalachian Country Cloggers were organized in 1991 by Lou Maiuri and are dedicate to the preservation of our early mountain traditional dance forms. Originally a competition team but no longer compete.
Current team members are: Lou Mauri from Summersville, Joe Cooper from South Charleston, Michael Wood from Winchester, VA, Bonnie Webb from Elkins, Anna Lewis and her daughter Haylee from Canvas, WV, Charity Fockler from Summersville and Stephany Harper Amos from Little Birch, WV.
The Appalachian Country Cloggers demonstrate Appalachian square dance figures while using Appalachian clogging steps and old-time flatfoot Steps. We also feature a traditional square dance caller and instructions in traditional square dancing.
