ASHLAND —
Little children danced, skipped and twirled in the sun on Judd Plaza Friday for the second Melodies and Masterpieces event of the year in downtown Ashland.
Singer/songwriter Ryan Sprinkle of South Shore started the show with only his vocals and a heavy right hand on an acoustic guitar, performing a set of primarily original songs along with covers including Ryan Adams’ “Sweet Carolina.” Sprinkle, who smiled as he paused to allow a medical helicopter to pass over as he launched into one of his own songs, shrugged after the show as he tried to find a simple definition for his musical style.
“It’s just stuff that I write. I guess, because it is acoustic, it is kind of just ... folky,” Sprinkle said, later adding he is now compiling a collection of songs he has written for an untitled CD to be released soon.
Acting as substitute host for the day on behalf of the Arts Council of Northeastern Kentucky, Shannon Spears took the mic between musical acts to remind the small crowd gathered for the lunchtime show that the next two Melodies and Masterpieces performances will also serve as collection points for nonperishable goods donated to River Cities Harvest.
Bringing the “masterpieces” aspect of the four-week concert and art series back into play, a collection of artisans from the nearby Pendleton Arts Center shared space at a picnic table in the shade of a tree, using charcoal, pencil and watercolor to produce images of autumn, as well as partial portraits of the musicians before them.
Shelby Lore of Carter City delivered a split set of blues, southern-infused rock and country boogie to round out the second Melodies and Masterpieces in the four-part series. Lore offered his audience, which included many children from Ashland Child Development, a pair of his original songs, “Livin’ Proof,” and “Everything She Ain’t,” along with more familiar tunes by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Church and the Allman Brothers.
Acknowledging the youngsters in the crowd, Lore soon found himself introducing three-year-old Landen Parker, who led the audience in a recitation of the pledge of allegiance. Jaydon Mayhan, 9, was in line waiting to give the downtown crowd his rendition of George Jones’ “All About the South,” but seemed overcome with stage fright after he had the mic in hand.
Melodies and Masterpieces will continue Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with performances by traditional string music band Kentucky Memories as well as original compositions by brothers Andrew and Nathan Gillum, performing as Gilgumesh. The series concludes Oct. 26 with Alys Preston and friends opening for Sasha Colette.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Shelby Lore holds the microphone as Landen Parker, 3, helps Friday’s Melodies and Masterpieces audience recite the pledge of allegiance. TIM PRESTON / THE INDEPENDENT
-
Ryan Sprinkle played a collection of mostly original songs. TIM PRESTON / THE INDEPENDENT
Discussion
Music on the street
A cool breeze, hot music for lunch
- Local News
-
-
RONNIE ELLIS: Fallout from scandals remains to be seen
Scandals like those roiling Washington often look more or less nefarious as time and facts unfold. After all, what at first looked like a third-rate burglary turned into Watergate.
-
05/16/2013 — What's Happening
Local news
-
Assisted living facility gets another perfect score
King’s Daughters and Sons Home assisted living has received a perfect score from the state.
-
Applauding the entrepreneurs among us
If Thursday’s Northeast Kentucky Small Business Awards are any indication, entrepreneurialism is alive and well in Ashland and the surrounding areas.
-
Food pantry receives childhood hunger grant
The First United Methodist Church Food Pantry, a Huntington Area Food Bank-affiliated agency, has been selected to receive a grant of $20,000. The funds will be used to implement and maintain childhood hunger programs.
-
Ashland’s city manager to retire
Ashland City Manager Stephen W. Corbitt announced plans this week to retire.
He told city officials Tuesday he wanted to leave his post on July 31 but has since agreed to stay on the job while the search for his replacement is conducted. That is expected to take four to six months. -
Commission meetings to change in August
Ashland City Commissioners voted 3 to 2 on Thursday to move its public meeting days and times.
-
SUMMER MOTION Lineup complete
The musical lineup for the 25th anniversary Summer Motion celebration has been set. Rockers Loverboy and country music legends Sawyer Brown are scheduled to play along with Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. and rock icons Styx in addition to several notable local and regional acts, according to Summer Motion President Cade Mahan.
-
Third arrest in Greenup murder
Police have arrested another man in the murder of a Westwood man whose body was found dumped in rural Greenup County in March.
-
Verity students have a blast with science
The threatening clouds over Putnam Stadium proved an ideal test of teamwork as groups of seventh-graders rushed to launch their pop-bottle rockets Thursday before the rain came down.
- More Local News Headlines
-
RONNIE ELLIS: Fallout from scandals remains to be seen
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
