ASHLAND —
Traditional string music and harmonies echoed in downtown Ashland during the lunch break Friday as the Arts Council of Northeast Kentucky’s Melodies and Masterpieces series for 2012 officially got under way with live performances by Modock Rounders and rising star Rebekah Jean.
With a sharp breeze and pleasant afternoon temperatures, those who brought hot dogs and boxed sandwiches to Judd Plaza enjoyed a sprinkling shower of leaves from downtown trees as the music got underway with three members of the band Modock Rounders performing traditional “old time” string arrangements. The group, made up of T.J. Riffe on guitar, Cody Jordan on fiddle and Jesse Pearson playing clawhammer style on an open-back banjo thrilled traditional-music enthusiasts in the small crowd with a set that included at least one song from the “Round Peak” style made famous by musicians including Benton Flippen and Tommy Jarrell.
“Some of these songs were here before our country was here,” Pearson said.
Accompanied by noted musician David Mayfield, up-and-coming Americana artist Rebekah Jean played the second half of the first Melodies & Masterpieces of the year armed with only a guitar and her voice, performing several songs from her recently-released CD “Love May Be Real But It Ain’t Enough.” The singer/songwriter’s acoustic set began with “Still Waters,” and included renditions of “Love I Have In Mind,” “Cushion My World,” before concluding with “Bottom,” a song she explained was based on a holler in McDowell County, W.Va. Before playing the song, Jean noted the county name is pronounced “MacDowell,” which is a bit alien to Ohio accent she grew up with in the Cleveland area.
As part of her set at Judd Plaza, Jean called Grammy-nominated musician David Mayfield to the stage to lend a hand with backing vocals, and encouraged audience members to attend their full show Friday evening at Callihan’s in Cannonsburg.
Many in the music business have predicted great things await for Jean, following the release of her debut album produced by Mayfield. The project was recorded in the Akron, Ohio, studio of Bob Cesare, who is also featured as the drummer on the entire record. Cesare also provided drumming and assistant engineering for Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach's solo album.
The down-to-earth musician said she is aware of predictions about her pending success, although she tries to keep everything in perspective.
“I try to take encouragement from it ... from anything positive, but at the same time I ignore any idea that I might be set,” she said while greeting fans and selling copies of her CD after Friday afternoon’s show.
Melodies & Masterpieces continues Friday from 11:30 with Ryan Sprinkle followed by Shelby Lore, and again the next week with traditional music by Kentucky Memories and extended jamming by Nathan and Andrew Gillum of Gillgumesh. The series concludes Oct. 26 with Dahlia Blue and friends (Alys and Tim Preston) followed by headliner Sasha Colette.
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