Special Report to Blowing Rock News from Lees-McRae College. February 2, 2012. BANNER ELK—The Stephenson Center for Appalachia at Lees-McRae College presents an escape from the midwinter blues.  If you are looking for entertainment spiced with education, join us for a musical evening on Thursday, February 9, when David Haney and Lisa Baldwin will present a program on Bluegrass and early country music in Appalachia.

Starting at 7:00 p.m. in Evans Auditorium, "These two well-known High Country musicians will take us on a tour of our musical heritage," Meghan Wright, Director of Communications of Lees-McRae College told Blowing Rock News on Thursday.

Using a combination of music performance, lecture, and discussion, Haney and Baldwin treat some important issues in Appalachian music, including the evolution of the ballad tradition, the cultural role of music from home to stage, the Appalachian roots of bluegrass music, the role of gospel music regional musical styles within Appalachia, and the current continuing evolution of these traditions.

Brief Bios

Dave Haney is currently Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Appalachian Studies at Appalachian State University. He holds a PhD from the State University of New York at Buffalo and has published on British Romantic poetry, literature and philosophy, and bluegrass music. He plays guitar and mandolin with Lisa, and he has played and recorded with various bluegrass bands, including Rounder recording artists Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys and North Carolina banjo player Eric Ellis.

Lisa Baldwin grew up in a strong musical tradition in North Alabama, and she has performed and recorded as singer/guitarist with several artists in Alabama and North Carolina, including Steve Lewis, Scott Freeman, and Katy Taylor. She holds a master's degree in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University; her master's thesis is on storyteller Ted Hicks, son of noted Beech Mountain storyteller Ray Hicks. She has taught elementary school for many years and currently operates an educational children’s music program, "Music, Minds, and Motion." She is also a songwriter, and her debut CD with Dave, "Where We Belong," features mostly her original compositions.

Lisa and Dave have performed together for over 20 years. More information can be found at www.baldwinhaney.com.

“While this program will be aimed at our Appalachian studies students, everyone is invited to join us for this significant program,” said Dr. Michael Joslin, Director of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia. “We are privileged to have such expertise presented on our campus and wish to share the experience with the community as well as our students.”

Lees-McRae welcomes everyone to join the free program in Evans Auditorium beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 9.  For information call Meghan Wright at (828) 898-8729.

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