Blue Ridge Music Center Features Appalachian Songsmiths

July 14 - For the first time, the Blue Ridge Music Center will host a special concert to feature renowned southern songwriters.

Larry Cordle

Larry Cordle was born and raised on a small family farm in eastern Kentucky. While a young child he was introduced to bluegrass, country, and gospel music, by his great-grandfather who played banjo, fiddle and danced. "It was our escape into another world, something we grew up with and looked so forward to, " says Cordle. Likely it is these early years that helped shape the great musician and songwriter that was to come who grew up in the same neighborhood as friend and multi-instrumentalist, Ricky Skaggs.

Most well-known for his hit song "Murder on Music Row," about the death of traditional country music, Larry Cordle knows how to masterfully weave his mountain upbringing and the virtues and vices of the common man into a song. Larry's songs have a raw sincerity and represent down-to-earth mountain people, their values and way of life in the South. His deep voice and relaxed presence on stage combined with an all-star group of pickers, (nominated twice for grammy's), has made this band very popular.

Cordle's songs have also been appreciated and recorded by well known bluegrass & country artists including Skaggs, Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins and many others.

Also a part of the Appalachian Songsmiths concert is "Lady of Tradition," Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road whose songs keep climbing the bluegrass charts but are even better live.

 The band's distinct sound and old time flair can be attributed to bluegrass-rich area of North Carolina from which they hail and borrow their name. Carolina Road's performance is a hard driving traditional sound with invigorating instrumentals and smooth blending vocals. The band recently released their second album,Back to My Roots, on Rural Rhythm Records.

Prior to the concert will be a special performance-talk on the "Craft of Songwriting" (small theater) featuring both bands. Limited seating. $5 or Free with concert ticket. 5pm. Call (276) 236-5309 x112 to reserve seating.

The Appalachian Songsmiths concert starts at 7 PM. Concert seating opens at 5:30 PM. Admission $12/ $10 students & seniors. Children 12 and under are free. Bring lawn chairs. Picnics welcome. Smokehouse BBQ will be available.

For info call (276) 236-5309 x112. Tickets are available at the Galax Visitor Center, Barr's Fiddle Shop, online at  and at the gate.

Come early and enjoy the free, new museum, the Roots of American Music. The Blue Ridge Music Center is located at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The summer-evening concert series occurs every weekend through mid-September in the outdoor amphitheater at the foot of beautiful Fisher Peak.