Don’t Miss the Charlie Poole Music Festival

Fans of bluegrass will want to be sure not to miss the Thirteenth Annual Charlie Poole Music Festival scheduled for June 13-15, 2008 at the Eden Fairgrounds on Oakland Avenue/Old Hwy 87 in Eden, North Carolina. Piedmont Folk Legacies, the non-profit that hosts the annual event, is a partner with the Bryan MBA consulting course.

On Sunday, June 8th there will be a special kick-off concert at Chinqua Penn Plantation. The concert, featuring the Kinney Rorrer’s New North Carolina Ramblers, is free, and access to the grounds is free.

Friday’s concert program includes The Freighthoppers, Uncle Henry’s Favorites, Waking Up Tillie (competition winners last year), Martin & Johnson, and again the New North Carolina Ramblers. Also on Friday evening a very special Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Rebel Records Founder Dave Freeman, pioneer preserver of old time music.

Saturday will see fast-moving competitions all day as contestants vie for $5000 in prizes in many categories of Old Time and Bluegrass instruments and bands, as well as the best rendition of a Charlie Poole song, duet singing, and a youth division. On Saturday evening, multiple Grammy winner, Jim Lauderdale, who recently appeared on the Jay Leno show, will take the stage for a full concert in his inimitable style. A gifted songwriter, his music covers the gamut from bluegrass to honkytonk.

On Sunday the 15th guided tours will be offered showing sites important in Charlie Poole’s life as he lived and worked in the historic community of Eden.

Schedules, ticket prices, and camping information are posted at www.charlie-poole.com. For more information, call 336.623.1043 or 336.627.0375.