A special “St. Patrick’s Day” donation meal to benefit Vacation Bible School will precede the event. The meal starts at 5:30 p.m.
“It’s no wonder these guys have been named ‘Best Bluegrass Band’ by the Chattanoogan.com two years in a row,” said Will Nichols, producer of the weekly Opry-style show. “They started picking up steam when they placed second at the Smithfield Fiddler’s Convention a while back. Then heads really turned when they beat out seven other bands to take Life Care’s second annual Battle of the Bands contest.”
Banjo player Cody Harvey started Mountain Cove Bluegrass in 2008 during lunch breaks at Signal Mountain Middle High School. Harvey, Austin Adkins, Mike Holloway, Colin Mabry, Tyler Martelli and Wil Markham also jammed together whenever possible at Walden Ridge’s famed Mountain Opry.
The group began performing in late 2008, gaining audience approval and local media attention. Their first CD, “New Generation,” was released in late 2009, and is in its second printing.
“Their second CD, ‘Back Home’ was released last year,” added Nichols. “Besides being talented musicians, these young men sing some extremely tight harmony. If their stellar performance at the Cleveland Opry last week is any indication, we’re going to see one of the best shows of the season Friday night.”
The Cowboy Gospel Jubilee is held at the Cleveland Cowboy Church in the Dockery Heights community, between Blue Springs and Blackburn Roads. It features both gospel and moral secular music performed in a variety of genres.
Also appearing on the Cowboy Jubilee stage will be Southern Gospel singer Amy McAlister and singer-songwriter Elmer Bramlett, plus “The Wild Man” Danny O’Boyle, as well as the Cowboy Church Band and Chorale. Nichols is host and announcer.
For directions or more information about the Cowboy Gospel Jubilee, visit ClevelandCowboyChurch.com. For more information about Mountain Cove Bluegrass, visit MountainCoveBluegrass.com.
