The Appalachian Cultural Music Association will present their 16th Annual Leon Kiser Memorial Tribute Concert at the Paramount Theatre in Bristol, Tennessee on Saturday, February 25th. The concert is named in memory of the late Leon Kiser who was bandleader of his group the Holston Mountain Boys for over thirty years. Kiser was also a local legend who not only performed bluegrass music but also was a promoter of the music as well in the regions of East Tennessee and Southwestern Virginia.
The concert is presented each year by the ACMA and showcases local, regional and national artists who volunteer their talents to honor musicians and contributors who help further bluegrass and old time music in the southern Appalachian Region.
Honorees this year will be the legendary Stoneman Family who were originally from Galax, Virginia. Patsy, Donna and Roni Stoneman are the surviving children of the late Ernest V. and Hattie Stoneman. Ralph Peer and the Victor Company recorded Ernest and Hattie Stoneman at the famous Bristol Sessions of 1927 and Ernest is credited for urging Peer to come to Bristol for these legendary recordings. Stoneman’s surviving daughters Patsy, Donna and Roni will be honored along with their famous family and they will perform on the show as well.
Also being honored at this year’s concert will be the McPeak Brothers from Wytheville, Virginia. The McPeaks have been performing and writing bluegrass music for over 40 years and are legendary in the bluegrass music world. Dewey, Larry and Mike McPeak will be honored at the concert along with their late brother Udell who originally helped form the band back in the 1960s. The McPeaks are scheduled to perform on the show also.
Emily Spencer is another honoree this year. Emily is best known for her decades of work and music making with the White Top Mountain Band. She is also been very giving of her time and talents by teaching others how to play and sing old time music. The White Top Mountain Band will perform on the concert on February 25th as well.
The Vanover Sisters played music for over six decades in the Tri-Cities Region with a career going back to the Farm and Fun Time Show on WCYB Radio in the 1950s. Monet and Estelle Vanover who were originally from Southwestern Virginia performed classic country music for countless audiences over the years. Estelle passed away last year. Monet will be on hand for the concert and will perform on stage with Robby Spencer on the February 25th concert.
The final honoree at this year’s concert will be Harry Esenwine. Esenwine will be awarded the “Award of Merit” by the ACMA for his contributions and support of the region’s music. Esenwine retired a few years ago as manager of the Bristol Mall but back in 1998 gave the Mountain Music Museum their first home. The ACMA supports and operates the Mountain Music Museum at the Bristol Mall which still thrives there today thanks in large part to Harry Esenwine’s vision and support. Esenwine still lives in Bristol since his retirement four years ago.
The concert will feature many talented bands and musicians including the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band, the Stonemans, McPeak Brothers, Holston Mountain Boys, Kiser Family, Kody Norris, Morehead State University with Raymond McLain and their Mountain Music Ambassadors, Lightnin’ Charlie, Monet Vanover with Robby Spencer, Breaking Tradition and Duty Free. Tim White who hosts the popular television concert series “Song of the Mountains” will emcee the concert.
The 16th Annual Leon Kiser Memorial Tribute Show will begin at 7:00 pm on Saturday, February 25th. Tickets are available at the Paramount Theatre in Bristol, Tennessee. For tickets and information call 423-274-8920 or visit www.theparamountcenter.com. Information is also available at www.mountainmusicmuseum.org or www.pickinporch.org.
Proceeds from this concert go to benefit the Benny Sims and the ACMA’s Leon Kiser Scholarships at East Tennessee State University.
The concert is sponsored by Bryant Label Company, Arrington, Schelin & Herrell, P.C., Toyota of Kingsport, Kiser Supply, Johnson City Honda, The Tim White Bluegrass Show, Rock 102.5 in Marion, Virginia, News5 WCYB, News Channel 11, Eddie’s Trophies, Charter Media and WPWT 870 am Top Gun Country.
Picture 1: Patsy, Donna and Roni Stoneman Inset: Ernest V. and Hattie Stoneman
Picture 2: The McPeak Brothers
Picture 3: Emily Spencer
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