Belton’s City Square will be the scene of thigh slapping and foot tapping for bluegrass fans who come to see The Bluegrass Gentlemen and J. Max McKee take the stage on Friday, May 18. “We are so excited about hosting such a renowned Bluegrass musician as J. Max McKee and the newly formed band The Bluegrass Gentlemen!” stated organizer Tracy Wood.
The Bluegrass Gentlemen is comprised of Jeff Barnett (upright bass, lead singer, rhythm guitar), Joey Newton (banjo, guitar, lead baritone and tenor), and Jackie Wooten (upright bass, lead bass, mandolin). The Bluegrass Gentlemen, with their acoustically driven sound, have their roots in the upstate area of South Carolina. The Ensemble is comprised of individuals with a deep passion for delivering a mix of traditional, contemporary and gospel bluegrass, blended with a little classic country. Their musical influences include Flatt and Scruggs, Merle Haggard, The Osborne Brothers, and Ricky Skaggs.
J. Max McKee is known for his hard-driving banjo picking. Widely renowned as “The King of the Hard Driving Banjo,” he entertains audiences with a high energy show and a wide variety of traditional music including arrangements by Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Don Reno, and Raymond Fairchild, among others. Max is an innovator, whose energy and mastery of the banjo is reflected in his own signature style.
Sponsored by the Better Brighter Belton Committee of the Belton Area Partnership, this event has several purposes: to draw a wider audience to the city to show visitors our small town charm, to raise needed funds for projects including the cityscape beautification effort, and to revive the business district by hosting more events in town.
Representatives of the BBB committee and The Bluegrass Gentlemen will be appearing on Your Carolina, Channel 7, with Jack Roper and Kimberly Kelly on May 15 during the show which airs 10 – 11 AM.
On the night of the event, barbecue plates will be available for purchase on the square from Glenn’s Homemade Goodness and the BBB Committee will be offering drinks and snowcones for a minimal price.
Several area businesses have donated prizes to be raffled off during the event. Tickets can be purchased for $5 each or 5 for $20.
The outdoor concert is free to the public.
Grab your lawn chair and come on out for a wonderful evening of traditional and contemporary bluegrass music in the heart of downtown Belton on Friday, May 18. Concert begins at 6:30 PM.
For more information or to become a sponsor, please contact Tracy Wood at 864-940-6371.
