LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 24, 2009) − The University of Kentucky John Jacob Niles Center for American Music presents Cari Norris and Rich Kirby in the special concert, "Grandmothers: two remarkable Kentucky women and their music, as presented by their grandchildren." Norris, Lily May Ledford's granddaughter, joins Kirby, the grandson of Addie Graham, in a performance commemorating the lives and music of their noted grandmothers. This concert also celebrates the release of the 2008 CD "Addie Graham - Been a Long Time Traveling" from June Appal Records (Appalshop). The "Grandmothers" concert, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, in the Niles Gallery at the Lucille C. Little Fine Arts Library and Learning Center.

 

Among the most important figures in the musical history of Kentucky are the ballad and hymn singer, Addie Graham, and the original "Banjo Picking Girl," Lily May Ledford, original leader of the first all-women string band in radio, The Coon Creek Girls. The music legends both encapsulated the traditional heritage of the region, the social and economic changes of the 20th century, and the emergence of traditional mountain music into the American musical mainstream. 

 

Granddaughter of the legendary banjo player, Norris performs ancient ballads, as well as original songs on the guitar, clawhammer banjo, and mountain dulcimer. Holding a master's degree in art education, she has performed all over Kentucky, surrounding states, and in New England at festivals, concerts, educational workshops and school programs.

 

A descendent of the great vocalist Addie Graham, Kirby grew up in an east Kentucky family full of traditional music. He performed for many years with Tom Bledsoe and John McCutcheon in the band Wry Straw. Since 1990, he has worked at Appalshop, the media center in Whitesburg, Ky. Currently, Kirby produces radio shows and recordings of traditional music and words with community radio station WMMT FM 88.7. He also plays with Rich and the Po' Folks, an old-time music band originating in Letcher County, Ky. Kirby was instrumental in the recent CD of Graham's music, a reissue of the songs of his celebrated grandmother. 

 

For more information on the concert, "Grandmothers: two remarkable Kentucky women and their music, as presented by their grandchildren," contact Ron Pen, director of the Niles Center, by phone at (859) 257-8183 or e-mail ron.pen@uky.edu.