Raven Welch
The Raven Welch Band fronted by teen vocalist and mandolin player, Raven Welch will be performing at the 4th annual Southeast High School Bluegrass Jamboree, to be held on Saturday, April 5, from 2-10 p.m. The invitational event will feature young talent from the tri-state area, including The Barker Brothers, the Musselwhite Family, Outta the Blue, and The West Girls. Also appearing will be veteran bands, the Old Sounds of Bluegrass and Barefoot Nellie.
The daughter of Alton and Jeannene Welch, Raven has grown up in a home where bluegrass and gospel music were a given. She has also had exposure to the musical heritage of Appalachian gospel singing growing up in Bethel Church, where she sang her first solo at age five during summer vacation bible school.
By age 12, Raven was making a name for herself as she sung at area fund raisers, churches, and schools. She began playing piano, guitar, bass fiddle, and of course her favorite, the mandolin which she began in 2005 after seeing a performance by Rhonda Vincent. Bluegrass soon became a passion and in no time she was up and running in the regional festival circuit.
The Raven Welch Band is composed of Rhett Dennis (bass, vocals), Chris Chastain (banjo, vocals), Josh Early (guitar, vocals), and of course Raven Welch (mandolin, vocals) form the core group.
There will be concessions, door prizes, free parking, and jam areas. SEHS is South of Dalton, located off I-75, approximately 85 miles north of Atlanta and 35 miles south of Chattanooga, at 1954 River Road S.E. just off of the Dalton South By-pass.
Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students under 18, under six are free.