Photo courtesy of www.wmmt.org Steve Gulley, left, and Dale Ann Bradley will be presenting Acoustic Music Week this month as part of LMU's Arts in the Gap program.

slideshow

Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) will team with bluegrass artists Dale Ann Bradley, of Compass Records, and Steve Gulley, of Rural Rhythm Records, to present Acoustic Music Week, June 23-28, during LMU’s Arts in the Gap.

The week-long workshop provides an opportunity for musicians, singers and songwriters to hone their skills and draw inspiration from the geography where so much of America’s music is rooted.

“Acoustic Music Week is truly a dream come true for us both. We’ve wanted to bring some of our award-winning musical friends to our beloved mountain home here in the tri-state area of Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia for a long time now,” Gulley said. “This is our chance to share the many years of musical knowledge we’ve gained over our many years of singing, playing, writing and performing all around the world with others. The fact that we get to do it in our own back yard with world-class musicians like Tim Stafford, Sierra Hull, Jason Burleson, Phil Leadbetter, Marshall Wilborn and Brandon Godman makes it so very special.”

Bradley and Gulley have assembled a faculty that represents a who’s who of International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) winners and chart toppers including Tim Stafford (guitar), Sierra Hull (mandolin), Jason Burleson (banjo), Phil Leadbetter (dobro), Brandon Godman (fiddle) and Marshall Wilborn (bass). Bradley and Gulley will provide the vocal and songwriting instruction. In addition to class instruction, the workshop will include group activities and jam sessions.

Bradley is a five-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the year, who is set to release a new album, Somewhere South of Crazy, in August. She has released albums both as a solo artist and with the New Coon Creek Girls, and she is known for her distinctive, gentle vocal phrasing and covers of popular (yet non-genre-related) songs by artists such as U2, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, and Stealer’s Wheel. Bradley grew up in southeastern Kentucky and has lived in the bluegrass state for most of her life.

Gulley has experienced success as a solo artist, as a founding member of Mountain Heart and Grasstowne, as an award-winning songwriter and a producer with his own studio, The Curve Studio in Cumberland Gap.

Participants may choose from residential and non-residential options. The residential option is $425 for the week and includes all events, meals and lodging in LMU Residence Halls. The non-residential option includes only Acoustic Week events. Online pre-registration is required at http://alumni.lmunet.edu/s/1119/index.aspx?sid=1119&pgid=852&gid=1&cid=2051&ecid=2051&post_id=0 .

AITG includes stand-alone events as well as residential experiences and camps. Based primarily in LMU’s Paul V. Hamilton Center for the Arts in Cumberland Gap, Tenn., and on the LMU main campus in Harrogate, Tenn., the program will bring a wide range of arts experience to the region. AITG programming will run from June 1 through July 27. A full schedule including links to registration pages can be found at www.LMUnet.edu/artsinthegap .

Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or e-mail at admissions@lmunet.edu.

slideshow

Although golf is not a primary sport like football or basketball, since the building of Woodlake Golf Club in our community, golf has been brought to the forefront and is gaining popularity among both boys and girls.

Last year, Soldiers Memorial Middle School could only fill two positions. This year, Coach Zack Maples filled six boy’s and three girl’s positions. The team graduated only two boys and one girl to the high school. The team is making great improvements in their individual games as well.

A team consists of five boys and five girls, with two alternates each.

Michael Clark was the only player to advance to the regional tournament. This was his second year in a row to do so.

Golf requires a great deal of practice and commitment. Anyone interested in next year’s team should begin now to work toward that goal. Anyone interested in lessons should contact Woodlake Golf Club at 423-626-6010, ext. 1.