Saturday, January 16, 2010

Get ready for bluegrass - contest February 27


Source: The Rogersville Review
By Joel SpearsFeatures EditorROGERSVILLE - Having grown to become one of the region's anticipated bluegrass music events, the East Tennessee Young Bluegrass Musician's Contest is preparing for its seventh annual lineup. Entries are being accepted for the competition, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27, 6:30 p.m. at Hawkins Elementary School. Founder and organizer Randy Ball of the Ball Sisters Band said the contest since inception has grown to include more than 40 contestants from Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. "The Young Bluegrass Musician's Contest brings several families into Rogersville," he said. "We've already had a call from a family in Georgia about entering this year." While the event has proven to be an economic boost for Rogersville, Ball also said the music is where the heart of the contest lies. "Music is an activity that can involve the whole family," he said. "In many families it's passed down from generation to generation. Music also encourages discipline because you have to practice if you want to improve." Ball also said it is always a plus to see children who enter the contest building friendships with others who have an interest in music.Some of those he said have gone on to play professionally. Last year Randy and his wife Donna Ball teamed up with the Rogersville Heritage Association (RHA) and extend the experience to members of the Heritage Lites Leadership Program in the form of a scholarship fund. Heritage Lites is a youth service organization sponsored by RHA whose mission is "to build character and leadership qualities in youth by emphasizing volunteer service, integrity, and pride of accomplishment." Angie Proffitt, RHA executive director, said, "The Young Bluegrass Musician's Contest is a great way to display such an important part of our heritage. And the funds from this event benefit the Heritage Lites Scholarship Fund to help young people who are such important parts of our community." Read more...

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