David Davis Trio with Robert Montgomery and Stan Wilemon will appear at the Ringgold Depot Feb. 13
Bluegrass music star David Davis will perform in Ringgold with his gospel trio.
Mr. Davis and his Warrior River Boys are on his 30th Anniversary Tour. He is making special appearances with his trio and one of those will be for the Share America Foundation on Friday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ringgold Depot, corner of Depot Street and U.S. 41.
Randall Franks from TV's "In the Heat of the Night” will emcee.
The event is a fundraiser for the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund.
The Share America Foundation, Inc., a Georgia non-profit, presents scholarships to talented musicians who excel in the Appalachian musical arts.
Donations for tickets are $5 for adults, and children 5 and under free with adult. Tickets may be purchased locally in advance during business hours at SonShine Christian Books 706-861-7675 in Fort Oglethorpe. For more information, go to
www.shareamericafoundation.org.
Carrying on an Alabama family tradition directly linked to the origins of Bluegrass Music, Mr, Davis' love of traditional roots music grew organically.
Back in the 1930's, his father and two uncles played and sung in the brother style traditions of early Country music. Uncle Cleo joined Bill Monroe as the very first Bluegrass Boy in 1938. Mr. Davis' father, Leddell, went off to WWII and lost his right hand in a mortar accident. While his dad's dream of making music may have been shattered, he never lost his love and devotion to the music. In fact, Mr. Davis carried his father's love shared in the family farmhouse near Cullman, Al. innocently down the road, never suspecting the impact on his life.
“Some of my greatest memories include the wonderful sounds of the hymns and inspirational songs that became part of what we now see as bluegrass and country gospel,” Mr. Davis said. “We share a variety of favorites along with unique gospel songs that stir the emotions and bring our gaze upward to Him.”
Joining Mr. Davis are Robert Montgomery and Stan Wilemon, both who appear with the Warrior River Boys.
"Mr. Montgomery is a National Old-Time Banjo Champion who is at home with the stylings of Uncle Dave Macon, Bashful Brother Oswald, and Grandpa Jones as those of Earl Scruggs. He adds artistically to the vocal blend. Mr. Wilemon, who plays guitar makes his mark with his unique vocal stylings and instrumental prowess that enhance the trio’s arrangements," officials said.
After a couple of Rounder label projects in the early 90's, Mr. Davis guided recordings on Ray Davis' Wango label throughout the decade and into the early 2000's. These legendary "Basement Recordings" have garnered a cult following over the years, many sides resurfacing on the Time Life label.
Mr. Davis and the band received reviews such as "...sure-fire picking and train whistle harmonies..." from USA Today with their self-titled 2004 Rebel Records release.
Their "White Album" was indeed a turning point for the band describing Mr. Davis as” an excellent instrumentalist in the Monroe style of mandolin, ... among the most emotive, capable and under appreciated singers in Bluegrass" (Sing Out).
Their Rebel releases "Troubled Times" and "Two Dimes And A Nickel" continue to take the listener deeper into WRB soul and offer testimony to the band's musical evolution.
Among his desires were to harness the traditional energies of the past and charge through to a new sound and new look that would appeal to larger audiences, he said.
“I wanted to pull from my influences from the Louvin Brothers to Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family, to honor their contributions but at the same time forge a path and sound for myself in the country music industry where many artists simply mimic whatever seems to be popular at the moment,” he said. “Millions of people, from all backgrounds in countries around the world still tap their toes when they hear Flatt and Scruggs, they are still moved by the high lonesome sound of Bill Monroe or the haunting voice of Ralph Stanley.”
Millions of fans have seen him in person at concerts and festivals and millions more on television on RFD-TV and radio.
After 30 years of continual touring and recording, Mr. Davis and the band have received many laurels, both individually and collectively. A 2010 inductee to the Alabama Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, Mr. Davis is widely recognized as one of the foremost practitioners of the Monroe mandolin technique. He will be inducted in 2014 to the National Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame.
For more information about the group, visit www.daviddavisandwrb.com.