The award-winning McDowells will get the music started with a concert beginning at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center. Performers of old-time and bluegrass music are invited to bring their instruments and take part in the jam session that will follow the presentation.

The McDowell Family features the vocal and instrumental abilities of siblings Bryan, 14, and Emma, 17, along with their parents, Donna and Steve McDowell, and a longtime family friend, Ray McElroy. Hailing from Canton, the group performs a variety of gospel, traditional and bluegrass music.

The Mountain Heritage Center’s “Winter Gatherings” will continue through March, with events on the first Thursday of each month including a free concert by a local band, followed by a jam session, and gatherings on the third Thursday of each month consisting entirely of an open jam session. All the events are held from 7 to 9 p.m.

Other groups scheduled to present shows at the “Winter Gatherings” are Chuck Norris and Daybreak on Feb. 7, and Charles Shuler and Friends on March 6. Other jam sessions are scheduled for Jan. 17, Feb. 21 and March 20.

The jam sessions are open to pickers and singers of all ages and experience levels, but also to those who just want to watch and listen.

The Mountain Heritage Center is located on the ground floor of WCU’s H.F. Robinson Administration Building. For more information, call the Mountain Heritage Center at (828) 227-7129.

Maintained by the Office of Public Relations
Last modified: Friday, Dec. 21, 2007