The historic Blue Grass Park in Camp Springs, NC (home of the first bluegrass festival held in the state in 1969) will host the Tony Rice Memorial Day Musicfest this weekend, Thursday through Saturday, May 21-23. Saturday evening will feature a tribute to the iconic band, Mountain Heart. First formed in 1998, the tribute will feature founding members Barry Abernathy on banjo and Jim VanCleve on fiddle. They will be joined by a later member, Aaron Ramsey, on mandolin. In addition, Jeff Partin will play bass with Zeb Snyder on lead guitar, and Dustin Pyrtle on rhythm guitar and lead vocals. The set will serve as a tribute rather than a reunion since three of the original members have passed: Steve Gulley, Alan Perdue, and Jason Moore.
“We’ve done two of these tributes so far and they’ve done real well,” shared Barry Abernathy, Mountain Heart’s banjoist. “We’re looking forward to performing. I’m hoping that people will show up in droves. Camp Springs is a great place and one that needs to grow and continue to thrive.”
The festival grounds were resurrected from years of dormancy by Cody and Donna Johnson who reopened the Blue Grass Park on Labor Day weekend 2019, just in time for its 50th year anniversary.
Cody, 2023 SPBGMA Promoter of Year, is excited for the Mountain Heart Tribute Band. “We have Appalachian Road Show, Barry and Jim’s current band, booked here on Friday. It made sense to have them lead a tribute show on Saturday night featuring some of the group’s best known numbers.”
Some of the classic Mountain Heart songs that the ensemble will perform include I’m Just Here to Ride the Train, Gospel Train, Devil’s Courthouse, #6 Barn Dance, Mountain Man, Twister, and God and Everybody.
Following the Mountain Heart Tribute to close out the festival on Saturday night will be the Dan Tyminski Band. Other groups performing during the weekend include Shannon Slaughter, New Found Road, Dave Adkins, Darren Nicholson Band, the Burnett Sisters, Headin’ Home, and others.
Camp Springs Blue Grass Park is located at 540 Boone Road, Elon, NC. For information on tickets and camping, contact Cody Johnson by phone at 336-213-1944.
