8/02/2013

Blues Festival North Carolina Programs Draw Music Lovers Of All Ages

By Maryanne Goff


Music lovers descend on the Tar Heel state to enjoy the season and its fertile talent pool. Blues Festival North Carolina events offer something to please everyone. The Piedmont sound and legendary native performers have left an indelible mark on American music through the years. North Carolina has a lot to offer in its annual festivals.

In these musical celebrations all the diversity of the different types of regional expressions will be on show. Distinctive subsets reflect regional distinctions in their style variations. The festivals will showcase a variety of subgenres as well, such as swamp blues, soul, gospel, rockabilly and surf music.

The Piedmont method has been internationally recognized since the Rolling Stones absorbed its sound in the latter part of the 1960s. The rock group informed the mainstream audience about another style beside the one made famous by musicians from the Delta region of the South. This identity of this subgenre is tied to the Appalachians that run through the Carolinas. But its practitioners may hail from regions beyond the geographical area. They may even hail from as far away as Maryland.

Durham has been the center of this style since the Great Depression. Over time, it has evolved its distinctive traditions through the artists who often played at dances and other celebrations. As a result, the Delta pathos is largely absent in its more joyful sound. The musical influences in its mix include country music, ragtime and marching bands. Their influence has widened the range of its artistic repertoire.

While every musician has brought an individual vision, the fingerpicking style and embrace of other musical influences is shared. The old and new have built a rich legacy for new generations. The depth of local talent and the wide number of musicians who claim to be rooted in this style, there is no shortage of talented players at any venue.

There is something for every music lover to enjoy being offered from April through October. Festival junkees are already aware of the regional hosts of the most well known events. Major shows are confined to a handful of urban locations. But minor shows are held throughout the state. Information available online will provide more information about the various shows.

The major show season begins with the May event in Greensboro. Every year at Festival Park the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society hosts the celebration. At concerts each month the Society hosts opportunities to hear good music in the city. The Cape Fear Society in Wilmington highlights the artists of the region in the third weekend each July. This program runs for three days and is full of activities to keep attendees busy from start to finish. The Society sponsors other events as well to support the tradition in the region.

The biggest event is in the Bull Durham program. Each September, since 1988, it offers a memorable experience. A nationally renowned extravaganza, it continues to draw audiences and has become a go to event. This widely known show lives up to its billing each year to grow its audience with new and repeat visitors. The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music in Raleigh sponsors a series of events. The Rowan Society in Salisbury holds its main affair in October and invites local artists and area bands to entertain outdoors. Lucky listeners will enjoy both lesser known talents and world famous names on the playbill at blues festival North Carolina events.




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