Event

JOE PENLAND

Joe Penland will offer ballads and stories from his native Appalachia when he appears in concert at Phippsburg Congregational Church on Saturday, October 13, at 7:30 p.m.

Born and raised in rural Madison county in the mountains of western North Carolina, Penland claims that his front porch has been the destination of many who love the mountains and its music and stories. Grammy winners, Hollywood producers, writers, folk music collectors from around the world, and children with their first guitar, banjo or fiddle have made their way to the place that Penland simply calls "the farm. Singing the ballads and telling the stories of his people for over half a century, he has been deemed a "cultural treasure" by The Asheville Citizen Times, and is the recipient of the coveted Bascom Lunsford Award which is named for the founder of the longest running folk festival in America.

Penland considers himself the proud steward of twelve generations and over 350 years of the rich oral tradition of his Scotch and English ancestors. From his birth, he listened to and learned the stories and love songs these travelers brought with them across the ocean, then southwest to the narrow coves and high meadows that many consider to be the worlds richest repository of Great Britain's folk songs. He adds his original songs of love and mountain life to the traditional ballads that he performs in concert.

Penland has released six recordings, has toured Great Britain eight times, and is an acclaimed fixture at folk music festivals.

The concert will be performed at the historic 1802 Phippsburg Congregational Church, situated on the banks of the Kennebec.

Refreshments will be served. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. For more information call 389-1770.