This September 9 and 10 5,000 acoustic music lovers will descend on Brevard Music Center for the annual Mountain Song Festival.
“Some folks call it a bluegrass festival, but it is much broader than just bluegrass,” explains fellow musician and event organizer John Felty of the two day event. “We incorporate many styles that have a relation to mountain music. We’ve had the David Grisman Quintet which is his brand of almost gypsy jazz and we have had Darrell Scott who is simply a great songwriter and musician. At the end of the day it is just great music.”
The open-air festival, now in its sixth year, has become the place to hear upcoming local and regional artists, particularly Transylvania County’s celebrated Steep Canyon Rangers who are playing both days with special guests.
“I’m looking forward to all of them,” Felty gushes. “Of course Steve Martin with The Rangers is always a great show and the Carolina Chocolate Drops are fantastic. Tim O’Brien and Bryan Sutton are personal favorites of mine and the fact that Bryan is originally from Asheville makes it special. But no doubt, Steep Canyon Rangers are hometown favorites and are greats hosts for the festival.”
As much as the event it about the music, there is more to Mountain Song than lyrics and instruments.
“Local food vendors and some of our local non-profits also have an opportunity to display all the great things they do in the community,” Felty says. “It fuses our love of music with our community and helps support the great things that the Boys and Girls Club is doing for the kids here. It is very rewarding to be able to bring together local businesses, music fans, families and out-of-towners who then discover what a great place Transylvania County is.”