Published: March 27, 2008 05:47 pm            

KCU announces concert series

March 27, 2008 — The Music Business program of Kentucky Christian University’s School of Music is announcing its first annual Concert Series with a week-long series of concerts beginning March 27th, 2008.

The First Bi-Annual KCU Community Dinner will take place on March 27th in Lusby Center on the campus of the college and will feature an evening of fine bluegrass music provided by NEW TIME. No strangers to the regional bluegrass circuit, NEW TIME will present a program of traditional and contemporary bluegrass and bluegrass gospel music. Drawing from the roots of great bluegrass music, which are deep in the mountains of eastern KY, NEW TIME thrills an audience with rich vocal harmony and polished picking recognized by some of the top players in the industry. Dinner will be pulled pork barbeque with all the trimmings. This event is free of charge but tickets are required and are available by calling 474-3000 for a reservation. Doors open at 6:30, dinner is at 7:00 and the concert begins at 7:30.

Monday March 31st will be Americana Music Night on the KCU campus. International Americana stars ROB McNURLIN and the Beatnik Cowboys AND the Ritchie Collins Three-O will be on stage in Nash Chapel at 8:00pm.

Rob McNurlin was raised in Eastern Kentucky, the hymns in church, the Johnny Cash Show on TV, a harmonica from his grandmother, his parent’s records and a guitar on his ninth Christmas set him on a very musical path. He began studying traditional music learning hundreds of folk, hillbilly-blues and Gospel tunes. Inspired by Cash, Dylan, Woody Guthrie and Hank Williams he started writing songs and mixing these originals with the traditional. He has released five cds including "Cowboy Boot Heel", recorded at Johnny Cash's Cabin Studio and produced by his son John Carter Cash and a duet with guest Ramblin' Jack Elliott. "Lonesome Valley Again" reached #26 on the FAR charts and #55 on the Americana chart, remaining in the top 100 for over two months. The cd "River, Road or Rail" was collaboration with Nancy Apple and reached #1 on the FAR chart, and top 40 on the Americana Europe chart. His latest cd "Sacred Numbers" is a collection of Gospel songs.

The Ritch Collins Three-O are no strangers to the Americana music scene with numerous appearances on NPR’s Mountain Stage with their blend of old standards, jazz and mountain music. Comprised of Ritch Collins, Jeff Carter and Bob Shortridge, this group represents some of the finest musicianship in our region.

On Wednesday April 2nd, KCU worship majors will host STAND IN THE GAP II, a community wide youth worship event will begin in NASH chapel at 7:00pm. Last year, KCU’s traveling group Destiny hosted STAND IN THE GAP at Boyd County High School which featured several KCU worship major leading a time of praise and worship, drama and message. This year’s line-up includes KCU worship leaders Jeremiah Stivers, Nic Simms, Brandon Shinault, and 17th Parallel, and will include drama from members of Destiny as well as a powerful message from KCU senior Tim Bridgett.

Thursday April 4th is a night of rocking gospel and gospel blues with Blues Guitar virtuoso Larry Whitt in concert in NASH chapel. Larry Whitt spent several years in Chicago putting the finishing touches on his guitar chops and has returned to his hometown of Ashland, where he’s been serving the blues to local audiences for several years. Larry has a high energy guitar style that adds a new touch to traditional gospel blues, and has created a uniqueness that won’t be unnoticed. This concert will include traditional blues, blues based rock and roll tunes and Larry’s own powerful gospel blues as he leads the audience through his personal musical journey. This concert begins at 8:00pm.

The series culminates on Friday evening where it began, in Lusby center with a Christian Hard Core metal battle of the bands. Bands from all over the southeast have entered this contest which is open to the public and is the only event in the series with a ticket price.

The rise of Christian hardcore began when artists realized there was a population caught in the hardcore music lifestyle and began to use the music as an outreach to those young people who were in that trap. This hard driven form of music may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those who are fans of this genre it will be a night to remember! Tickets for this event are available at the door for $3.00.

With the exception of the final night of the series, all events are free but donations will be accepted at the door, should you wish to make a contribution. KCU music business students have planned, promoted produced and will operate each of these events and will be attending each artist concession during the event.

More information is available by phoning Paul Rice Producer / General Manager, KCU School of Music, at 606.474.3214 or via email at price@kcu.edu

        

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