HICKORY, NC (May 23, 2018)…Friday, May 25, the City of Hickory’s Sails Original Music Series will feature rising bluegrass sensations, Mason Via and Hot Trail Mix.
“Here are some fresh faces for you!” says Sails Music Coordinator Bob Sinclair. “This rowdy bunch of whiz kids is making some serious noise. What’s funny is their first CD was recorded at a library – shhhhhh!”
Mason Via is a talented young musician/singer/songwriter out of Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC, who is on his rise to stardom. Originally from Danbury, NC, Mason has been playing acoustic guitar since the age of 12. Mason grew up going to fiddlers’ conventions and festivals, being taught by his father, notable bluegrass musician David Via.
In May of 2015, Mason released his first studio album, Up, Up, Up, which contains eleven original compositions. He recorded this CD at the studio of one of Ben Fold’s past touring guitarists, Britt Uzzell. Mason’s lyrics are considered by many to be the driving force behind his band’s music, and his vocals back up the deep emotion that his lyrics possess. Mason is currently expecting his new CD release, Looking for the Stone, through the Patuxent Music label, in the spring of 2018. You can find Mason touring with Hot Trail Mix (bluegrass), the Mason Via Funk Band, in his duo projects (David & Mason Via, Tom Mindte & Mason Via), or solo.
Led by Mason Via, Hot Trail Mix is an innovative new bluegrass band out of the Asheville/Boone, NC area. The band has a rowdy, youthful vigor that excites audiences of all ages, shapes, and sizes. According to the band’s website, Hot Trail Mix boasts a repertoire ranging from “straight-and-narrow gospel standards to original ballads about drinking whiskey ’till ya kick the bucket.” The band features an all-star cast of convention ribbon winners, including: Mason Via on guitar, Zeb Gambill on mandolin, Grayson “Pinky” Tuttle on banjo, Sam Weiss (Caleb Clauder Country Band) on fiddle, and Zachary Smith (of Town Mountain) on bass. The band recently recorded a small live album in the Warren Wilson College Library after hours, which is available online via Bandcamp.
The Sails Original Music Series is able to bring excellent musical entertainment from all over the United States with the help of numerous sponsors. The presenting sponsor of the series is Lowes Foods, while the Hickory Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau is the premier sponsor for the month of May, in conjunction with their 31 Days of May Campaign, celebrating tourism in North Carolina.
The Hickory Wine Shoppe is the premier sponsor for the month of September. Additional sponsors include: Bob Sinclair Music, Larry’s Music & Sound, Pfahlert Creative Labs, Olde Hickory Brewery, and Crowne Plaza. Media partners include WNNC 1230 AM/WAIZ 63 Big Ways, WNCW 88.7FM, and the Focus.
The show begins at 6:30 p.m. and audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Olde Hickory Brewery and Shadow Line Vineyard will sell beer and wine in designated areas, and there are a variety of close-by restaurants to patronize.
The Sails Original Music Series will feature live music under the Sails on the Square in Downtown Hickory every Friday evening in May, June, and September, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
In the event of rain, the Sails Original Music Series will be held indoors at the Hickory Elks Lodge #1654, located at 356 Main Ave NW. The City’s Facebook pages and website will be updated with those details, if the event is relocated.
For more information about the Sails Original Music Series and upcoming bands, please visit the Sails Music Series Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SailsMusic.