Marty Stuart

Marty Stuart will host a new show on XM satellite radio starting next month. Debuting Friday, Oct. 5, “Marty Stuart’s American Odyssey” will expose fans to a broad range of American music, including traditional country, blues, rockabilly, bluegrass, gospel and rock songs. “American Odyssey” will be an amazing adventure inside the musical walls of our cities. It’s theater and radio has always been great theater to me; I knew XM was where it belonged,” said Stuart. “This will be a journey through America with a big smile.”

“It’s a real honor to add “Marty Stuart’s American Odyssey” to the roster of XM original music series. With seven dedicated country music channels, original programming that connects country fans with their favorite artists, our announcement today further demonstrates our commitment to country all year long.”Eric Logan, Executive Vice President of Programming, XM

Each hour-long episode of “Marty Stuart’s American Odyssey” will focus on a different part of the country and bring the region’s musical sounds and stories to life through informal interviews with local musicians, stories, guests and a regular cast of studio and touring musicians.

New episodes of “Marty Stuart’s American Odyssey,” will air on Fridays at 8 a.m. ET on XM’s classic country channel “America” (XM 10) and will also be available all day every Friday on “XMX” (XM 2), a recently launched channel that provides fans with XM’s most popular original music programming all in one place.

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L-R Dominick Leslie (2nd), Solly Burton (1st), and Brian Roe (3rd)

First place in the Walnut Valley Mandolin competition was awarded to 16-year old Solly Burton of Sullivan, IN. Solly is a home schooled high school junior who has been playing the mandolin for seven years. This was his first time to the Festival and the contest.

In addition to the mandolin, Burton plays the guitar and ukulele. Solly’s mother bought him his first mandolin for $50 at a yard sale and when he decided it was the instrument for him, he began saving his money from selling eggs and 4-H pigs to buy a brand new Weber mandolin a year later. Along with the 1st place trophy Burton also takes home $250 and a Weber Custom Elite “F” Style Mandolin by Weber Mandolins of Manhattan, MT.

Second place went to 17 year old high school senior, Dominick Leslie of Evergreen, CO. He has also been playing the mandolin for seven years and this was the fourth time he has entered the competition. When asked how he got his first mandolin, Dominick said, “My dad got a mandolin for Christmas when I was 10 and I started playing much more than him.” One of his favorite things to do at the Festival is “pickin and jammin.” He takes back to Colorado the 2nd place trophy and has chosen a Collings MF Custom Mandolin by Collings Guitars of Austin, TX.

Brian Roe of Hasty/Loveland, Colorado placed 3rd in this contest. At just 18-years old, Roe classifies himself as a student/musician. He is home schooled by his parents who are “on the road” much of the year as part of the “Roe Family Band.” This past year they’ve done some 250 shows all across the country. Brian is a multi-talented young musician who also plays guitar, banjo, fiddle, bass, mountain dulcimer, and tenor banjo. He has been playing the mandolin for just 6 short years. Brian classifies coming to Winfield as “his favorite time of year.” Brian chose the BRWFT-MS Mandolin by BRW Musical Instruments of Ostrander, OH and takes home the 3rd Place Trophy.

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Flat Rock, NC ~ “The 2007 Flat Rock Music Festival is proud to announce that we have received over 200 entries for the Songwriting Contest,” said Kathlene Stith, Festival Director. “The contest has been steadily growing over the past few years, with over 130 entries last year.”

“There were so many submissions this year by artists and singer-songwriters. Our committee had a great time hearing that much original music. The winner receives a Main Stage slot at the 2008 festival and $600 in cash prizes. I am excited to watch the finalists this year perform during our Song-Writer’s Showcase on Saturday, September 29th. We have a diverse group from several different states. It brings a much broader scope to the Flat Rock Music Festival.”Kathlene Stith

Intimately nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains, the Flatrock Music Festival brings people and musicians together from all over the southeast. Come enjoy a wonderful weekend at the intimate Flatrock Music Festival! As always, this is a family festival and no drugs, dogs or weapons are allowed. For more information and to view a music lineup, please visit the Flatrock Festival website

2007 Flat Rock Music Festival Finalists:

Carla Gover, Berea, KY - “Me and The Redbird River”

Everette Hix Workman, Woodruff, SC - “Making An Angel Mine”

Jeri Katherine Howell, Frankfort, KY - “Branch to Branch”

Jess Clemons, Underhill, VT - “Toronto Song”

Karl Ruch, Asheville, NC - “Roll the Windows Down”

Ken Nance, Wilmington, NC - “Carolina”

Patrick David Koch, Gainesville, FL - “Walking Away”

RB Stone, Mooresville, NC - “You Gotta Let It Go”

Scott Hinkle, Kernersville, NC - “Fall Down 7, Stand Up 8”

Sean Kimmel, Covington, IN - “Fire and Water“

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