press release here - The Pickin` Porch

Press Release - For Immediate Release
April 21, 2013
ACMA Blue Ridge Acoustic Uprising a Winner
Wytheville, VA- The Appalachian Cultural Music Association's "Blue Ridge Acoustic Uprising"
held in Wytheville, VA on April 12th and 13th was a huge success, especially for the musicians
and the youth musicians who participated in the event. "This was our first year for our event and
we are very pleased and already working on next year's gathering at the Wytheville Meeting
Center.” states Johnny Williams, a Danville, VA musician and chairman for the event. Williams
also says, "The Blue Ridge Acoustic Uprising featured over 30 bands from the southern
Appalachian Region and was a showcase of the bluegrass, old time and Americana music that
was born in this region. The venue, The Meeting Center in Wytheville, is amazing and such a
great place to hold the event”.
The event included workshops, band showcases, youth showcases, jam sessions, a trade show
and an awards show which included special honors to Donna Stoneman of the legendary
Stoneman Family from Galax, VA, the McPeak Brothers from Wytheville, VA and the Roan
Mountain Hilltoppers from Roan Mountain, TN. A special award was also presented to legendary
radio personality and emcee Harold Mitchell. Also the ACMA unveiled exhibits during the
weekend event to honor Donna Stoneman as the "First Lady of the Mandolin" and the McPeak
Brothers for their role in the development of bluegrass music over the past 50 years. These
exhibits will be displayed in Bristol, TN at the new location of the ACMA's Mountain Music
Museum at 626 State Street.
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Donna Stoneman, 1 Lady of the Mandolin
Award Winners of the 2013 Blue Ridge Acoustic Uprising
Americana Vocal Group of the Year
Old Time Vocal Group of the Year
Bluegrass Vocal Group of the Year
My New Favorites
The Wolfe Brothers
Narrow Road
Americana Instrumental Group of the Year
Old Time Instrumental Group of the Year
Bluegrass Instrumental Group of the Year
Steve & Ruth Smith
Mountain Park Old Time Band
Rich In Tradition
Americana Entertaining Group of the Year
Old Time Entertaining Group of the Year
Bluegrass Entertaining Group of the Year
Skeeter & the Skidmarks
Whitetop Mountain Band
The VW Boys
Special Recognition Awards
Broadcaster of the Year
Americana
Old Time
Bluegrass
Harold Mitchell Pioneer Award
Tim Frye; WPAQ AM740 Mt. Airy, NC
Donna Stoneman
Roan Mountain Hilltoppers
The McPeak Brothers
Harold Mitchell
My New Favorites - Americana Vocal Group of the Year
Paraphrasing Janice Birchfield of the Roan Mountain Hilltoppers, "The thing about this Old Time
music is that it's not all about us up here on the stage…it's about all of us. There's no difference
between us up here and y'all down there, we're all the same community, all of us." Mark Rubin of
the Folk Alliance International said of this year’s event, "A truly inspiring two days of family,
friends and community in the heart of the Appalachia. I really look forward to coming back again
soon."
Seminar - From JAM to Career. John Goad, ETSU; Dan Boner, ETSU; Brett Morris Martin, JAM; & Emily Spencer,
Grayson County VA Schools
ACMA board member Karl Cooler says, "This was our first year presenting our event and we are
ecstatic with the success of our shows over the weekend. Our committee did a great job with
planning and executing our gathering of musicians and fans for the 'Uprising".
"The Blue Ridge Acoustic Uprising has numerous sponsors and underwriters for the event and
the support from regional media outlets has been great.” states John Necessary from Bristol, TN
who is also a board member of the ACMA and serves on the committee. Necessary further
states, "We look forward for this year's good will and momentum to carry us to a larger event in
the coming years. This is such a great function for the music of our region and the musicians who
perform it."
Tim White unveils the McPeak Brothers Exhibit for the ACMA’s Mountain Music Museum
The Stoneman Sisters, Patsy, Donna, & Roni. Donna Stoneman Exhibit for the Mountain Music Museum
The most important goal of the Blue Ridge Acoustic Uprising is to highlight and showcase the
music of the Blue Ridge region to the world with a gathering of musicians from a 200-mile radius
of Wytheville, VA. This music includes bluegrass, old time, folk and Americana. Also, through the
BRAU event another goal of the ACMA is accomplished: To bring economic development to our
region through the music and musicians who perform this music from the areas of Virginia,
Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia and Kentucky. Not only will the musicians who perform
this music benefit from our event and the positive "fall out" from it, but also so will businesses in
our region that cater to tourism. Organizers are pleased with the event and the precision that was
demonstrated this year and they are excited about the progress in coming years. "This is simply a
winner.” says Tim White who serves as ACMA's current president. "We are poised now for this
event to evolve as a major attraction for music lovers and musicians to gather each April in
Wytheville to celebrate our beloved music and to find creative ways to celebrate our music,
musicians and our heritage to the world."
The Appalachian Cultural Music Association is a non-profit 501c3 organization. The ACMA is
organized and maintained by an all-volunteer staff that has a passion for the music of the
southern Appalachian region.
For membership and underwriting opportunities please visit:
www.acousticuprising.com,
www.mountainmusicmuseum.org,
www.appalachianculturalmusic.org.
For ongoing weekly concerts presented by the ACMA please visit www.pickinporch.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Johnny Williams
656 Loomfixer Lake Rd.
Danville, VA 24541
(434) 489-8080 [email protected]
Tim White
P.O. Box 750
Blountville, TN 37617
(423) 383-7829 [email protected]