GREENBO LAKE — From glass-neck fretless guitar to soul-stirring vocal performances, music lovers can expect serious highs and lows during the 2012 Colonel Bill Williams Heritage Music Festival, Aug. 17 and 18 at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park.

The festivals kicks off at 7 p.m. with a “sneak peek” of material compiled for a documentary about Williams, an African-American guitarist from Greenup who made a significant impact on blues music history.  The festival honors his memory, his family and his music. Tickets for the preview and dinner are $40 per person. Music will be provided by guitarist Chris Kitchen. For reservations, call the Greenup County Extension Arts Council at (606) 836-0201.

On Aug. 18, from 2-4 p.m., a blues jam at the campground will feature a collective of musicians from throughout the area performing unrehearsed and improvised blues favorites and originals.

That evening’s entertainment at the park amphitheater will feature the presentation of the Cultural Heritage Award at 5 p.m.; guitarist Chris Kitchen  at 5:30 p.m.; Greenup Cameo Blues, featuring several Greenup County musicians, starting at 6 p.m.; fretless-guitar master Ned Evett at 7 p.m.; Outliners at 8 p.m. and headliner Teeny Tucker taking the stage at 9.

Kitchen has been playing guitar since the age of 6. “I have never lost interest. I think my love of music was inherited from my dad, Crawford Kitchen. He took me to many concerts when I was younger and always had country music playing in the house,” said Kitchen, who has been performing more than 200 shows a year since 1979.

The son of an English professor and an opera singer, Evett is one of the world’s foremost fretless guitarists, creating music that both celebrates and transcends the novelty of his instrument.

Born in Nashville, Evett started playing ukulele at age 11, graduating to his first guitar at 15. At 16, he got his first classical guitar and gave his first professional performance.  In 1984, he witnessed King Crimson’s “Sleepless Live in Japan” on MTV, and was mesmerized by the fretless guitar wielded by Adrian Belew; this chance viewing would come full circle years later.

Prior to his first European tour in 1997, Evett switched to a glass fingerboard; in part to keep from wearing out numerous ebony fingerboards. Ned has used glass fingerboards ever since, prompting the moniker “the glass guitarist.” Evett has drawn a catalogue of critical acclaim from such major national publications as USA Today, writing, “Ned Evett is the perfectly sane, and vastly entertaining master of the fretless glass-necked guitar.”

Outlier is the first release from the Outlier B3 organ quartet based in Kentucky and in residency at Morehead State University. The Hammond B3 organ, played by Steven Snyder, is the inspiration and central focus for this project. Outlier also features the fine performance of Jason Tiemann on drums. This artistic endeavor was made possible through a Research and Creative productions grant from MSU.

Snyder is originally from Pittsburgh, where he began his study of jazz piano with Frank Cunnimondo.  He has graduated from the University of North Texas with bachelor’s and master’s degrees after playing in the One o’clock Lab Band. Gordon Towell originally comes from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He has performed with many national and international artists, and has conducted throughout Canada and the U.S. He was the recipient of the 2001 Morehead State University’s Distinguished Creative Productions Award. A graduate of the world famous jazz studies program at the University of North Texas, Glenn Ginn has been a featured soloist along side several jazz greats including Clark Terry, Gene Harris, Gene Bertoncini and drummer Steve Smith. Jason Tiemann is one of the finest jazz musicians in the Midwest.  He is constantly in demand and has performed with many of the great names in jazz.

Outlier was written specifically for this recording project. The A section chord progression was taken from the bridge of an unfinished tune begun several years ago. The progression is stretched into 5 bar phrases giving it a floating, asymmetrical vibe. The modal funk of the B section serves as a contrast and reprieve from the challenging harmony and asymmetry of the A section. The Malcolm Gladwell book “Outliers” inspired the title.

Although Teeny Tucker was born into blues royalty as the daughter of Tommy Tucker, one need only to hear her to know that she has cultivated and developed her “gifts” into her very own uniquely compelling “world-class” package.

As a child, the Dayton, Ohio, native began singing in the church choir. This experience, like so many other “soulful” success stories, undoubtedly began to chart the course of Teeny’s music career. Teeny’s professional singing career began in November 1996 when she caught the attention of a German Blues promoter and manager who had promoted European tours for her Father. Teeny was chosen for the cover of July/August 2004 edition of King Biscuit Time Magazine accompanied by a featured story of her musical journey.

Admission to the Colonel Bill Williams Heritage Music Festival, at the gate, will be $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for students, with free admission for preschoolers. Concessions will be available.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.