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Clinch MusicFest Slated to Encourage Tourism Development in Scott County

From staff reports

A musical festival returns to the county in mid-June to showcase the traditional mountain music in the areas where it still echoes.

The Southwest Virginia Community Foundation announced last Thursday at a special event held at the Gate City location of Eastman Credit Union that the second Clinch Mountain MusicFest was on tap for June 15-17 at three venues in Scott County.

Labeled as the heart, soul and spirit of mountain music, organizers are excited to partner with a new Gate City-based non-profit community foundation to bring the three-day festival to shows at Natural Tunnel State Park, downtown Gate City and The Carter Family Fold in Hiltons.

“The event will again dedicate itself to the best of old time mountain music, featuring both those “old souls” who have played the music for years, as well as the new sounds of youth who are making the music their own for future generations,” explained Kindle Bishop Horton, one of the co-founders of the event. “This year’s event will also feature free family activities in downtown Gate City on Saturday, June 16, and a special gospel tribute on Sunday afternoon, June 17, to Janette Carter, the “spirit” of old-time music.”

The music festival was coordinated to encourage economic development through tourism in Scott County and includes steering committee members Jay and Carol Dixon of the Southwest Virginia Community Foundation, Diana Meredith, Joe Fuller and John Kilgore from the Scott County Economic Development Authority, Oscar Harris and Horton.

Horton explained the goal of Clinch Mountain MusicFest is to preserve and perpetuate the heritage of the Appalachian region through its music and to create a regional tourism event that promotes economic development in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. She added the event is one of the first projects of the newly-formed Southwest Virginia Community Foundation, which aims to support projects that improve quality of life and enhance economic development. 

Musicians Dwight Bishop, Anita Gibson, Taze Farmer, and Daryl Jane perfrom in the lobby of the Gate City office of Eastman Credit Union to proid

In 2005, the inaugural Clinch Mountain MusicFest was held in September with musical venues in Scott County and Kingsport, Tenn. But this time around, organizers focused on using only Scott County venues.

“Having the event in the early summer has many benefits,” explained Horton. “Primarily, there are many established mountain music type festivals in the fall, but there are fewer this time of year. Therefore, there was an opportunity in this genre of music. It also fit nicely with other regional and county events. The event was a great fit for Scott County, and Scott County has been quite interested in tourism type events.”

Horton and her fellow co-founder Meredith liked the idea of returning the music to its roots in Scott County.

“Making the event a completely a Scott County event seemed...well...natural!” she added “Diana (Ferguson) Meredith and I are Scott County girls ourselves. We loved the idea of bringing the event home. And, it has been very well received!”

Several local businesses and localities have pledged financial support for the musical event. Major corporate sponsors include Eastman Credit Union and Hertz Rental Car Company. The Scott County Board of Supervisors has committed $2,500 in funding for the project. The Town of Gate City pledged $2,000 while the Town of Weber City is donating $1,000. Additional funding is provided by the Scott County Chamber of Commerce, the Scott County EDA and Egan Construction.

"Eastman Credit Union is proud to support the economic development of Southwest Virginia,” noted Horton, who is a marketing representative for Eastman Credit Union as well as co-founder of Clinch Mountain MusicFest. “This festival provides a wonderful opportunity to work collaboratively with many local organizations and authorities. We hope that this event is one that Scott County and Southwest Virginia residents will be proud of and will enjoy.

“The fact that through one event we can help preserve the local heritage by promoting arts and education while growing community awareness and supporting economic development is exciting for us!"

The lineup of musicians for Clinch Mountain includes talent of the highest caliber. More than a dozen international performers and over 20 national and regional acts will come together for performances that come from the heart, are filled with soul and rekindle the invigorating spirit of mountain life. 

Clinch Mountain MusicFest opens at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 15, at Natural Tunnel State Park and features Doug Dorschugs, Daryl Jayne, the Appalachian Dream Spinners, The Hushpuppies, John McCutcheon and the Clack Mountain String Band. Tickets for Friday evening are $5 for adults, kids 12 and younger free.

On Saturday, the festival features two venues – downtown Gate City from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and The Carter Family Fold in Hiltons that evening. Activities in downtown Gate City are free and include music, storytelling, a flat-footin’ contest, displays and local foods. Musical performances that afternoon include Ron Short and MECC Mountain Music School Graduates, Appalachian Trail, Anndrena Belcher with Melanie Remine, Jay Dixon and Friends, Dale Jett and Friends, “Papa” Joe Smiddy and Reedy Creek, Carla Gover and The Boozy Creek String Band.

The music begins again that evening at The Carter Fold at 7:30 p.m., and features Rich Kirby, Tommy Bledsoe and John McCutcheon in a Rye Straw reunion. Admission is regular Fold admission – adults $5, children ages 6 – 11 are $1, and children 5 and younger are free.

On Sunday, Clinch Mountain MusicFest proudly presents a very special gospel music tribute to Janette Carter, founder of The Carter Family Fold and eternal lover of old time music. Performances begin at 1 p.m. and feature Ron Short, John Kilgore and Jay Dixon, Heather Berry and Dominion Grass, Dale Jett and friends, Carolina Road and the Primitive Quartet.

Sunday admission is $5 for adults, with children 12 and younger free. Half of Sunday’s proceeds will be dedicated to the Fold and its efforts toward the preservation of mountain music.

For more information on Clinch Mountain MusicFest, go to <www.clinchfest.net>.

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