CHRISTMAS: THE MOUNTAIN WAY
TV Program Taping in Pineville, KY June 19
Includes: Dale Ann Bradley, Steve Gulley, Marty Raybon, Audie Blaylock,
Mike Scott, Cumberland River, Common Strings
and students from the Cumberland River Academy
Pineville, KY (June 11, 2012) — Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce “Christmas: The Mountain Way” –
a live performance musical show that showcases Christmas and its
traditions in the Appalachian Mountains. The program, which is being
filmed for broadcast on national cable network BlueHighways TV,
will be shot at the historic Bell Theater in Pineville, KY, a community
nestled in the Cumberland Mountains of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia
on June 19, 2012 before a live audience.
The show is the brainchild of Rural Rhythm Records owner Sam Passamano, Jr., longtime music business veteran Tony Spinosa and artist/producer Steve Gulley. “Christmas: The Mountain Way”
will bring together some of the finest performers in Bluegrass, Country
and Roots music for a night of traditional Christmas music and
stories.
The Bell Theater will be turned into a Christmas wonderland for filming on June 19. The show will be hosted by Mike Scott (Mike Scott’s Nashville Band, Ronnie Reno & The Reno Tradition, Jim & Jesse, Bill Monroe) and feature performances by Steve Gulley; 2011 IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year Dale Ann Bradley; Grammy winning artist Marty Raybon; acclaimed bluegrass vocalist and guitarist Audie Blaylock; Harlan, KY based national touring band and emerging artist Cumberland River; Bell County Kentucky’s Common Strings; and students from the Cumberland River Academy.
“Christmas
is a very special time in our hearts and souls. It connects us with
family, friends and traditions passed down through the generations.
Over the years working with many artists with ties to the mountain
community I have heard a strong recurring message about The Mountain
Way. We have asked some artist friends to help us put together a TV
special filled with all the traditions, memories and cherished music
that represents the charm, beauty and grace of Christmas: The Mountain Way,” commented Passamano.
Artist and producer Steve Gulley added: “Growing
up in the East Tennessee mountains near the Cumberland Gap National
Historic Park, I learned early on the respect and reverence the people
of the mountains hold for the Christmas holiday. I’m proud to say that
tradition still holds true today in the Cumberland Mountains that I love
so dear. Technology, money, commercialism and the ‘flavor of the month’
mentality that has evolved over the years for so many is replaced with
old fashioned values, tradition, heritage and thankful praise. I
believe this videotaping will let the rest of the world get a glimpse of
true Americana and allow the spirit of the season to shine through in
the brightest of ways. I’m proud to be a part of this production and
share Christmas the best way I know…..Christmas: The Mountain Way.”
“Christmas: The Mountain Way” will air on BlueHighways TV during the 2012 Christmas season, with multiple airings in November and December.
“BlueHighways
TV is proud to be able to offer this star filled Christmas music
special from this picturesque location, the Bell Theater in Pineville,
KY”, says Stan Hitchcock, Chairman and CEO of the
nationally distributed cable network. “This will be a wonderful gift
for our viewers who love bluegrass and mountain music. We thank Rural
Rhythm Records and their artists for making it available to us.”
Music
from the program will be available on a compact disc. A special edition
DVD will be produced featuring not only the live performance(s) but
loads of extra features, including interviews with the artists, stories
about their Christmas experiences and a behind the scenes look at the ‘Making of Christmas: The Mountain Way’.
Tickets for “Christmas: The Mountain Way” taping June 19 are free and can be obtained online at BellTheater.com
on a first come first serve basis. Doors open at 3:00 pm and filming
begins a 3:30 pm. The Bell Theater is located at 114 West Kentucky
Avenue, Pineville, Kentucky.