Patterson School Foundation to host South Carolina Broadcasters Concert and BBQ Supper

HAPPY VALLEY, NC (October 13, 2017)…The Patterson School Foundation will host the South Carolina Broadcasters in a benefit concert of old-time music, gospel and “obscure bluegrass” on Sunday afternoon, October 22 at 4pm in the Hickory Hall Dining Room on campus, and the concert will be followed by a chicken and pork BBQ supper from Smokin’ Hogs in Lenoir. The public is cordially invited to attend the concert and stay for the BBQ supper.

The South Carolina Broadcasters Duo are Ivy Sheppard on banjo, fiddle, guitar and vocals; and David Sheppard on guitar and vocals. Ivy produces “Born in the Mountains” on Saturdays from 2 – 3pm on legendary Radio WPAQ  740 AM in Surry County, NC and on Radio Bristol WBCM on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon – 2pm. She also produces “Bluegrass Country” on Radio WAMU Wednesdays, 10am – noon. Ivy says “Surry County music is sort of the epicenter of old-time and bluegrass music, and WPAQ has been broadcasting from Mount Airy since 1948.”

David puts the drive in the Broadcasters’ sound, and his knack for songwriting is gaining attention for the duo. He is a world-renowned luthier (stringed instrument maker) and expert restorer of vintage acoustic instruments. He and Ivy are North Carolina natives who were living in Charleston, SC when they started singing together.

Dan Schram of INDY Weekly writes about the Broadcasters that “They dig deep into traditional gospel and old-time tunes that originated from the mountains of the Carolinas and Virginia. They tour constantly through the Southeast and across the country, and with each release, they become tighter, somehow closer to reaching the heart of the music they obviously love. The harmonies are crisp. The playing is tight. The music is raw and raucous, heartfelt and beautiful. In person, it sounds as if they have just stepped from a dusty old 78 RPM platter, ready to sing again. They are the South Carolina Broadcasters, and they are what is great about old time music.”

Opening briefly for the Broadcasters will be Blackberry Jam, a six-member stringed instrument group of young musicians who have evolved from the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) Program at the Caldwell Arts Council:  Dawson Clark / banjo and Lincoln Clark /guitar, Kemdyn Clement / fiddle, Dalton Sigmon / guitar and Averi  Sigmon/ mandolin, and Gideon White/ bass.  Bob Henson is strings instructor for the group, and is assisted by Alyssa McLean.

The Broadcasters have shared the stage with Ralph Stanley, Taj Mahal, Ricky Skaggs and the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Admission to the concert is $15, and the BBQ supper is $15. Reservations for the BBQ supper must be made by contacting Susan at  susanrowe123@gmail.com.  The Patterson School campus is located in historic Happy Valley, nine miles north of Lenoir on Highway 268 at 4646 Patterson School Drive. The entire campus is on the National Register of Historic Places, and proceeds from this concert will benefit the continuing restoration of the buildings, dating from as early as 1920. Dining Hall doors will open at 3:30pm.

This concert is being performed in conjunction with the North Carolina Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary, and in conjunction with the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina.

www.scbroadcaster.com

www.facebook.com/scbroadcaster