Smiley LIVE! Presents: Bodie Mountain Express
Wednesday, Nov 8, 6:30 PM
The Contemporary Club
This free public event is part of the Smiley LIVE! concert series. It’s family-friendly, with a Q&A segment where young and old alike can ask the performers questions about their music, their performance, and anything else they may be curious about.
Bluegrass music, a lively and distinct genre deeply rooted in American folk traditions, is known for its prominent use of acoustic instruments such as the banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and guitar. These instruments are skillfully played with fast-paced, virtuosic picking. Additionally, bluegrass is characterized by its tight vocal harmonies, storytelling lyrics, and energetic and toe-tapping sound. It has been played for nearly a century, and is a cherished and influential part of American musical heritage.
One unusual aspect of bluegrass is the practice of performing around a single microphone. This close-knit arrangement fosters the tight, cohesive sound that defines bluegrass, allowing the musicians to communicate and harmonize in real-time. It evokes the heritage of music shared at campfires, porches, and community dances, and calls back to the days of radio and traveling bands, and “Father of Bluegrass” Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys.
About the performers:
Bodie Mountain Express has been entertaining bluegrass lovers for decades. The original band toured with Elvis Presley as an opening band, and have opened for many notables such as Ray Price, Tammy Wynette and Doug Kershaw. This Wednesday will feature two original members, Chuck Stewart and Duane Michaels, who have played together since high school. Bill Purcell has been playing with them for the last thirty years.
Bill Purcell, one of the area’s best-known banjo players, is recognized for his deep knowledge of classic bluegrass tunes and melodically delightful, expertly executed solos. He is a life-long fine art photographer, musician and banjo teacher, born and raised deep in the hills of Riverside, California. He played in and recorded with countless bands throughout the years, most notably Alive and Pickin’, The Bodie Mountain Express, Blue Lightning, The Bluegrass Redliners and Lonesome Otis.
Eric Pittman will be joining the group on bass. With 14 years of experience in playing the upright bass, Eric made the transition to bluegrass after his notable stints with the Blackwood Jazz Combo and Spare Buttons. Beyond his musical contributions, Eric is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of bluegrass musicians, regularly laying down the bass at the Riverside Saturday morning jam in Fairmount Park, and serving as an active board member of the Southwest Bluegrass Association (SWBA).
Smiley LIVE! is a series of monthly free concerts featuring a variety of musical genres sponsored by the A.K. Smiley Public Library. The Contemporary Club is located at 173 S. Eureka Street, behind the Lincoln Memorial Shrine, just south of the Library and Smiley Park.