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‘Blow the Dust Off’ Saturday at Natural Tunnel State Park

From staff reports


Steve Bassett

Jumpstart your spring with some blue-eyed soul at a special concert series sponsored by Virginia State Parks.

Are you ready for a unique musical experience? Steve Bassett kicks off the  Blowin' the Dust Off Tour with an appearance at Natural Tunnel State Park, Saturday, May 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $4 and children 12 and younger are free.

Richmond-based singer-songwriter Steve Bassett, probably best known for his “Sweet Virginia Breeze,” recently released his 18th CD, “Blowin the Dust Off.” The CD features traditional music played on Civil War-era musical instruments and a long list of guest singers and artists, ranging from Delbert McClinton, Gary Gerloff and Robbin Thompson to Amber Collins and Ryan Blevins of No Speed Limit and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine.

From the success of the CD, a concert tour of 16 Virginia State Parks was born.

In addition to an evening concert, there also will be an afternoon display and workshop featuring historic instruments of collector Chuck Kincaid. Kincaid will supply an impressive collection of more than a dozen instruments, including a bugle, fife, a guitar, mandolin, zither, violin and squeeze boxes. The workshop is at 2 p.m.

Sharing the stage with Bassett will be Virginia’s own Michelle Nixon and Drive. With her unique blend of traditional, gospel, contemporary and classic bluegrass music, Nixon will be joined by Patrick Robertson (guitar, lead and harmony vocals); Jamie Harper (mandolin, fiddle); Jeremy Boling (five-string banjo) and Travis Greer (bass). Drive will also serve as Bassett’s backup band.

Nixon was named the 2006 Female Vocalist of the Year in the Traditional category by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA). She also was part of the Daughters of Bluegrass album, “Back to the Well,” which received the 2006 Recorded Event of the Year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association.

For more information visit  <www.dcr.virginia.gov>, <www.stevebassettmusic.com> or  <www.michelle-nixon.com>, or call 1-800-933-PARK.

Natural Tunnel State Park and the award-winning Virginia State Park system are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

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