Grammy-nominated bluegrass musicians the Grascals will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at Western Carolina University’s John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center.
The show, “Dance Til Your Stockings Are Hot and Ravelin,'” is a musical tribute to 1960s sitcom “The Andy Griffith Show.” The Grascals’ performance is part of the 2011-12 Galaxy of Stars Series at WCU.
Since the band’s formation in 2004, the Grascals have received many honors and awards throughout the musical community. In 2006 and 2007, the Grascals were named the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainers of the Year after receiving that organization’s Emerging Artist of the Year honors in 2005. The Grascals earned four 2011 IBMA nominations, including Entertainer of the Year and Song of the Year for their single “I Am Strong” with Dolly Parton. Along with numerous other industry awards, the Grascals earned Grammy Award nominations in 2006 and 2007.
The Grascals, along with Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum and The Band Perry, have been nominated for this year’s ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards’ Top Five Ballot.
The Grascals are now sponsoring the Mayberry’s Finest Brand Foods, foods inspired by The Andy Griffith Show. The Grascals receive full credit for writing and recording the jingle for Mayberry’s Finest products.
“Everyone between ages 5 and 95 will enjoy this show,” said Paul Lormand, director of the Bardo Arts Center. “Once I saw the music video for ‘I Am Strong,’ I was sold. I knew we had to bring them here.”
And given the ties between Andy Griffith and Western North Carolina, Lormand believes the Grascals’ tribute show will be a great contribution to the area.
Impersonator David Browning will perform his improvisational show “The Mayberry Deputy” as the opening act.
The Grascals are the second act to perform as part of the 2011-12 Galaxy of Stars Series. This year, the series has enjoyed a 10 percent increase in the number of season ticketholders as well as a sold-out first performance. The series, now in its seventh season, features world-class theater, music and dance staged in the Bardo Arts Center and presented by the College of Fine and Performing Arts. The series continues Friday, Dec. 9, with a performance by the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and the Pied Pipers.
Ticket prices for the Grascals are $20 for adults and seniors; $15 for WCU faculty and staff; $10 for groups of 20 or more; and $5 for students and children. Tickets can be purchased at the Bardo Arts Center box office, by calling (828) 227-2479 or online at bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.
