6:30 p.m. Sunday December 27, A Holiday Homecoming with Jim Lauderdale, Aaron
Burdett, & Molly Johnson, Annual Fundraiser for Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM
Kids) of Henderson County. JAM Kids & instructors open. Trailside Brewing Co., 873
Lenox Park Drive, Hendersonville, NC.
Tickets: $60 general admission, $100 VIP, order:
www.frenchbroadvalleymusic.org/events/
For information about JAM Kids of HC and FBVMA https://frenchbroadvalleymusic.org
For information about Trailside Brewing Co.: https://trailsidebrews.com
Concert Sponsors: United Community Bank, Boyd Automotive and Trailside Brewing Co.
All proceeds support the Junior Appalachian Musicians of Henderson County (JAM Kids)
program administered by the non-profit, French Broad Valley Music Association (FBVMA)
The Concert: Jim Lauderdale, Grammy winning singer/songwriter and member of the
Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, Aaron Burdett, Henderson County native and
singer/songwriter, acclaimed Americana artist and member of the Steep Canyon Rangers,
plus Molly Johnson, accomplished banjo player, singer/songwriter and member of The Wilder
Flowers band present a benefit concert 6:30 pm Sunday December 27th at Trailside Brewing
Co. at Lennox Station in Hendersonville, NC. JAM Kids and instructors open the show.
Contacts:
Carol Rifkin, Executive Director Dale Salvaggio-Bradshaw,
JAM Kids of HC/FBVMA Board Co-Chair FBVMA
828.231.9018 (cell) 828.489.9781 (cell)
Jim Lauderdale is a North Carolina born country, bluegrass, and Americana
singer/songwriting legend. Recently inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame,
Jim Lauderdale has over 34 studio albums, is a two-time Grammy winner and has written
songs for George Strait, Blake Shelton, the Chicks, and more. Jim has graciously donated his
time for the JAM Kids of Henderson County the past four years, and the JAM Kids are thrilled
to have him back for a fifth! www.jimlauderdalemusic.com
Aaron Burdett is an acclaimed Americana/folk singer-songwriter and performer from
Western North Carolina and is listed as one of their most important musicians by WNC
Magazine. He's won top awards in multiple songwriting competitions hosted by the likes of
Merlefest, The USA Songwriting Competition, Mountain Stage, the NC Songwriter’s Co-op,
and Our State Magazine. His last four albums have been voted top 20 Albums of the Year by
WNCW radio listeners. In 2022, he joined the Grammy winning band Steep Canyon Rangers,
and he’s now on tour with them full time. www.aaronburdett.com
From Pickens SC, Molly Johnson is an accomplished banjo player in both the three-finger
and clawhammer styles. She grew up in the YAM/JAM programs and is now an instructor in
Pickens, SC. She currently plays, writes, and sings in the band The Wilder Flower, making
appearances at festivals such as Earl Scruggs Music Festival, Grey Fox, and MerleFest. Molly
also tours with Lindsay Lou's Bluegrass Women project. www.thewilderflowermusic.com
JAM Kids of Henderson County is an after-school program for children to learn to play our
regional, traditional old-time, and bluegrass music. Executive Director Carol Rifkin, a nationally
known performing artist, journalist and radio host (WNCW), is an instructor and coordinates a
group of accomplished classroom instructors. The children learn fiddle tunes, square dance,
mountain songs, American folk songs and more, mainly by ear, on fiddle, banjo, guitar,
mandolin, and bass. Multiple levels of play are offered in a group setting on each instrument
and the students perform at events throughout the region and state. There are currently 46
students enrolled in the program. More information about the program, upcoming events and
registration information can be found on the website at www.frenchbroadvalleymusic.org.
The JAM Kids program is solely funded by donations and grants. All proceeds from the
fundraiser go directly to help the students with:
Loaner instruments
Subsidized instruction
Tuition scholarships for financially challenged families
Music education and theory focused mainly on learning by ear.
Local, regional and national performance opportunities and much more!
About the French Broad Valley Music Association (FBVMA): FBVMA is a non-profit that
promotes regional mountain (old-timey) music in the French Broad Valley of Western North
Carolina and sponsors the JAM Kids of Henderson County. To order tickets, donate or register
visit our website at www.frenchbroadvalleymusic.org.
“Your support for JAM Kids of Henderson County helps young musicians learn mountain music
with joy, skill, and a sense of place.” - Carol Rifkin, Executive Director for the JAM Kids of HC.
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