Wheeling Jamboree comes to WVU stage
The “Wheeling Jamboree,” an authentic and iconic piece of American country music history, celebrates it’s 83rd anniversary with a live show and a big line up of country and bluegrass artists, 7:30 p.m. April 1 at the WVU Creative Arts Center in Morgantown.
The “Wheeling Jamboree,” an authentic and iconic piece of American country music history, celebrates it’s 83rd anniversary with a live show and a big line up of country and bluegrass artists, 7:30 p.m. April 1 at the WVU Creative Arts Center in Morgantown.
The ‘Jamboree’ concert will be hosted by country radio broadcasting veteran Keith Bilbrey and feature performances by Shana Smith, Darnell Miller, JoAnn Jones, Steve Smith, Andrea Call, Isaac Cole, Don Hoard and the Jamboree Staff Band and the WVU Bluegrass Band.
Following Nashville’s “Grand Ole Opry,” the “Wheeling Jamboree” is the second oldest live country music radio broadcast.
“In my hometown, the ‘Jamboree’ is really very, very important,” remarked Brad Paisley, who launched his career from the Wheeling Jamboree stage. “It’s such a huge part of the culture in the Ohio Valley.”
This April concert marks the first time that the show has been performed at the WVU Creative Arts Center.
Singer/songwriter Shana Smith has honed her skills at notable venues like the Blue Bird Café. Inducted into the “Wheeling Jamboree” in 2013, she has also performed at the annual Country Music Association’s CMA Fest in Nashville. Smith has become a ‘Jamboree’ fan favorite.
“I’m so grateful for everyone who makes this possible. I’m so proud to be a member of this great tradition,” said Smith.
Smith, who maintains a traditional country sound, gets loads of requests for one very famous female country artist.
“I get a lot of requests to sing Patsy (Cline) and I am happy to fulfill those,” she said.
Billbrey, the concert’s host, is a former disc jockey at Nashville’s WSM and announcer for the “Grand Ole Opry.” He currently hosts the syndicated radio show “Classic Country Weekly” and announcer for RFD-TV series “Larry’s Country Diner.” Joining Billbrey and Shana Smith on stage are Jamboree past and recent inductees.
Darnell Miller is the reigning patriarch of the Wheeling Jamboree. The true definition of a traditional country entertainer, Miller has been making music for more than five decades. Recognized for his “hillbilly” style by such country greats as Chet Atkins, Owen Bradley and Gene Autry, Miller has released a number of hit singles, including “Hinges on the Door.” He is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the West Virginia Golden Circle of Country Music Honor Society.
Mon Hills Records, WVU’s record label, is also Steve Smith’s label. Smith has opened for some of music’s biggest names, including Darryl Worley, Lee Brice, David Nail and David Allen Coe. His single “Wishing Well” spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Indie Charts. His debut album on Mon Hills Records is “Then and Now.”
JoAnn Jones is an established country vocalist on the QCA label. She was the first winner of StarQuest, the national talent competition presented by the “Wheeling Jamboree” in 1977. Jones has been an Artist Member of the Jamboree ever since. She is a regular in the annual Jamboree in the Hills lineup and appears as an opening act on the weekly Wheeling Jamboree shows. She has recently recorded new gospel projects with Emmy-winning producer Jamie Peck.
Andrea Call is a recent inductee into the “Wheeling Jamboree” who performs regularly on the show–often with her husband John Call, a founding member of Pure Prairie League. Her duet with Darnell Miller, “Lovers or Friends,” was released in 2015 and is a favorite on international country music charts.
Isaac Cole recently gained national notoriety when he was dubbed the “Country Beiber” during his 2016 “American Idol” audition. Cole got his start at the age of four at the Emlenton United Methodist Church. He has since been recognized twice by the Inspirational Country Music Awards, earning the 2012 Youth in Music Award and the 2014 Best New Artist Award.
The WVU Bluegrass Band, comprised of talented WVU students, was formed in 2014 and performs a mixture of traditional and contemporary bluegrass styles. Under the direction of Dr. Travis Stimeling–WVU professor, American folk and Appalachian music expert, and music historian–the band recorded its first album “West Virginia Hills” on the Mon Hills Record label. The album is a collection of traditional bluegrass songs and includes the title song as well as “Country Roads.”
The “Wheeling Jamboree” concert at the WVU Creative Arts Center promises an unforgettable evening of traditional country music in the intimate atmosphere of the Lyell B. Clay Theatre. Tickets range from $23 to $35 and are on sale now at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-745-3000 and 304-293-SHOW (7469).