The Kruger Brothers, Ron Rash, Triad Story Exchange, and Terry Kay on Triad Arts Weekend

Today it's all about banjo, bass, Bluegrass, brothers, the Blue Ridge, and books. That's right, and we'll kick things off with the music. The Kruger Brothers are gearing up for a world premiere for banjo, bass, guitar and string quartet. It's called Lucid Dreamer and if you think that's a thought-provoking title, wait till you hear Jens and Joel share their thoughts on music and music-making. Then it's the New York Times bestseller and PEN/Faulkner Award Finalist, Serena.  Beauty and violence, passion and rage, cruelty and love, it's a tough balancing act, but award-winning author Ron Rash gets it just right, and he's here to share with Bethany Chafin. Then Bethany is back with the Triad Story Exchange and Story Slams emcee Joel Richards. There's a Grand Slam event coming up in Greensboro, so polish up your delivery and get set for great story-telling. And author Terry Kay has a great story for us. It's the inspiration behind his award-winning book, and Emmy Award-winning movie To Dance With the White Dog. It's the centerpiece at this year's Blue Ridge Read in Alleghany County.

The Kruger Brothers and Joel Landsberg

If you live in the Piedmont Triad and love music, chances are you've already heard of The Kruger Brothers. Swiss/German Banjo player Jens, and his brother guitarist, vocalist Uwe Kruger, and their good friend and colleague bassist Joel Landsberg have been sharing their unique brand of instrumental and vocal music with audiences around the world for decades. The Kruger Brothers often perform Bluegrass, and Bluegrass-inspired music, and over the years they've been welcomed into that world by all of the legendary performers of traditional Appalachian music.

But the Krugers also are known for exploring musical styles from far beyond the Blue Ridge. Recently, Jens has been turning to his own compositions to connect with audiences, with works for the trio and chamber orchestra like Sprit of the Rockies, Symphonic works like Music From the Spring, and works for string quartet and trio including the 2011 Appalachian Concerto.

In that spirit has come Jens' most recent chamber music piece titled Lucid Dreamer. It too features the Kontras String Quartet and Kruger Brothers. Lucid Dreamer will be premiered during the International Bluegrass Music Association in Raleigh this Saturday, October 4^th at the Convention Center. Jens and Joel stopped by to talk with David Ford about how important music is in their lives, their influences from Bach to be-bop, and to share stories about their musical mentors. 

2013 recipient of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music Jens Kruger, and the amazing bass player Joel Landsberg, together with guitarist and vocalist Uwe Kruger, will be swinging through NC and VA this month with a two day stop in Yadkinville on Saturday, October 11^th and Sunday the 12^th. They'll be performing in the Willingham Theatre at the Yadkinville Cultural Arts Center, and they're typically sold out events, so you may want to jump on line before it's too late to catch what is sure to be an incredible performance. 

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Ron Rash and Serena

Praise for Ron Rash and his novel Serena consistently places Rash among the greats. Pat Conroy says, "Serena catapults Ron Rash to the front ranks of the best American novelists." It [Serena] "will stand as one of the major American novels of this century," notes Lee Smith. And throughout other reviews, you'll find comparisons to Cormac McCarthy, John Steinbeck, and William Faulkner. Serena follows the story of newlyweds George and Serena Pemberton as they ruthlessly rule their timber empire in 1929 North Carolina.    

Rash has won the O.Henry prize twice, and was a finalist for the PEN Faulkner award. In addition to Serena, Ron Rash is the author of four other novels - One Foot in Eden, Saints at the River, The World Made Straight, and his most recent novel is The Cove. rash currently serves as the Parris Distinguished Professor of Appalachian Cultural Studies at Western Carolina University.

The Forsyth County Public Library has chosen Serena as their 2014 On the Same Page read. As part of the event, Ron Rash will be speaking Sunday, October 12th, at 4:00pm at the Arts Council Theatre in Winston-Salem.

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Joel Richards and the Triad Story Exchange

Family stories, personal narratives, myth, action adventures, tall tales - behind every great story, no matter the type, there is a great storyteller. One of those great storytellers is Joel Richards. He's head of the Triad Story Exchange. With a background in theatre, literature, and storytelling itself, Joel brings knowledge, empathy, and of course a great voice to the tales he tells.

This Saturday, October 4th, Triad Story Exchange is hosting a Grand Slam. The tellers will be winners of past story slams and will include both professional and amateur storytellers. Each teller will have up to 10 minutes to share a new, personal story. The event begins at 7pm at the City Arts Building in Greensboro.

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Terry Kay and the Blue Ridge Read

Blue Ridge Read: Alleghany County, One Book continues this month with book signings, and conversations with To Dance With the White Dog author Terry Kay. PR Chair Ginger Collins says the Blue Ridge Read has brought the entire Sparta community together to read the book at the same time and then talk about it.

Blue Ridge Read continues with Music on the Deck at Harmony Hill B&B Saturday, October 18th, Evening with the Author on the 24^th, a Book Signing and Movie Night screening of To Dance With the White Dog starring Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy on the 25th, and more. But you get a sneak peak at all the action with author Terry Kay, right now. David caught up with Terry while he was on the road in Georgia.

There's also a neat artist studio tour in the works all in Alleghany County, all friendly and fun with opportunities to interact with crafts people and it's all in lovely, lively Alleghany County just a stone's throw from the Triad.