On December 9 at 7 p.m., the Broyhill Chapel on the campus of Mars Hill University will be filled with music for the third annual Winter’s Tune: Music to Warm an Appalachian Night concert.
Hosted by the Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies, the concert showcases a different musical tradition from WNC each year. This year it features an eclectic mix of songwriters spanning three generations in Madison County, while raising awareness about the Bailey Mountain Foundation, a grassroots nonprofit that aims to protect Mars Hill’s most prominent peak.
“We started Winter’s Tune in 2014 to raise money for a documentary film about local master fiddler, Roger Howell,” says Hannah Furgiuele, program coordinator for the Ramsey Center. “When we were planning for 2016, the Bailey Mountain Foundation approached us about doing a silent auction during our event to raise money and awareness. Given our work to connect the Mars Hill campus community with the town community, this seemed like a great fit.”
This show will feature a mix of genres. Songwriters include Brooke and George Buckner, Andy Buckner, Hannah Furgiuele, Ashley Heath, Nikki Reid and Pierce Edens. All will share original music inspired by mountains and the holiday season.
“My early songwriting was primarily a need to express emotional relationships, whether romantic or biographical,” says Joe Penland, well-known ballad singer, songwriter and performer from Marshall. “Later songs came from people and events, current and historical, reflecting life here at home in Madison County.”
The Broyhill Chapel is located at 265 Cascade Street on the Mars Hill University Campus. Tickets ($15 in advance, $18 at the door) can be purchased by visiting lunsfordfestival.com or calling 828.689.1571.
