Marcie Horne “Everything’s Blue” ( Mountain Fever Records)

“Everything’s Blue,” a new CD on the Mountain Fever Records label has just a little bit of everything on it. Bluesy tunes, straight-ahead bluegrass, country-style ballads and gospel.

And everything is done, at least vocally, by Marcie Horne, a native of southwest Virginia, who makes a living as a DJ in Stuart, Va.

Produced by Sammy Shelor of the the Lonesome River Band and Mark Hodges, the CD contains 14 tracks, which is a blessing and, to a lesser extent, a bit of a curse. Her fans in and around Virginia will appreciate having so many tunes on this CD, but to a new listener, quite frankly, by the end of Track 14, I’d developed a bit of listener fatigue.

Horne is evidentally well known and liked in her Virginia home base as the CD attracted a nice supporting cast that includes Jeanette and Johnny Williams, Alan Bibey and producer Shelor, who also steps in the recording arena on the musician side of things.

“Everything’s Blue” starts strong with the Bill Monroe classic, “Can’t You Hear Me Calling,” and it’s done in a traditional style that would have made the father of bluegrass proud. One of my favorites on the project is the Herb Pederson tune, “Old Train,” that Seldom Scene and Tony Rice covered so well.

According to advance publicity from Mountain Fever Records, Horne grew up listening to folk, country and rock, but “was bitten by the bluegrass bug 11 years ago and never looked back.” She has a pleasant voice that carries her musical emotions well.

Her songwriting talents, showcased on six cuts on “Everything Blue,” suggest that the folk and country roots remain ingrained in her soul. I really enjoyed one of her originals, a gospel song, “God is Good.”

Although I started this review with a minor gripe about the longevity of the 14 tracks, each one has something good to offer. I simply think I would have enjoyed this first CD from a newcomer more had it had a couple less tracks on it.

Nonetheless, it’s worth a listen, even if you want to break it down into a couple of different sessions. And, as previously stated, Horne’s fans will enjoy every note, every instrumental break, of every track. As they should. She obviously put a lot of effort into producing this work.

Information about purchasing the CD can be obtained at www.mountainfever.com, or www.myspace.com/marciehorne.

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Jeremy Barker sings “Stay in the Boat with Jesus.” Share America photo by Randall Franks. The Barker Brothers perform June 13 at the Ringgold Depot. Share America photo by Randall Franks.

Ringold, GA — The Share America Foundation, Inc. announced its first 2008 scholarship recipient at its June 13 Sacred Sounds Fridays concert featuring Master Peace, the Barker Brothers and Deborah Taylor at the Ringgold Depot in Ringgold, Ga.

Jeremy Barker, 18, of Copper Hill, Tenn., a graduate of Copper Basin High School in Polk County, is the 2008 winner of the scholarship. The organization scholarship committee including both education and music professionals reviewed candidates scoring applicants on academics and musical abilities.

Barker appeared at the event singing “Stay in the Boat with Jesus” and playing “Lost Indian” along with a full set of gospel songs performed with the Barker Brothers featuring his brother Jonathan, father Scott, his mother Angie and Westley Harris.

“The Barker Brothers are extremely talented and it shined through to our enthusiastic audience,” said Joe Turner, Share America chairman. “It is wonderful that we can recognize the passage of a musical family tradition from parents to sons by honoring Jeremy.”

Barker received a $500 scholarship to be used towards his educational needs at Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, Tenn. He said his plans are to eventually transfer to East Tennessee State University where he will minor in its bluegrass program while he pursues a degree in secondary education to teach history.

“Jeremy desires to spread the traditional music of Appalachia among the students he will teach for years to come. By using the funds our board, volunteers, donors and concert attendees have helped us raise to encourage someone with this goal, how can we not be overjoyed by that potential effect his life will have on others,” said Randall Franks, Share America Foundation president. “Jeremy and his brother Jonathan are carrying on the musical traditions for which our organization strives to foster. It is an honor to be able to recognize one of them with this scholarship. Mom and Dad’s spirit of encouragement will shine on all those that Jeremy’s life touches.”

The monthly events help fund the organization’s Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship. Pearl and Floyd Franks are the late parents and former entertainment managers of actor/entertainer Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night.” The scholarships honor students excelling the Appalachian musical arts.

Board members include Franks, Turner, Gene Lowery, vice chairman; Adam Cathey, secretary and Jerry Robinson, Sr., vice president.

Barker said after college he desires to return to his home in Copper Hill and teach in the local high school. “I hope to assume a leading role in continuing the promotion of our acoustic music program,” he said. “I hope to enrich the area’s cultural heritage through the music that I share.”

Barker is the son of Scott and Angie Barker of Copper Hill, Tenn. He is the grandson of Fred and Betty Verner of Turtletown, Tenn. and the late Wilford and Ola Barker of Copper Hill.

For more information about The Barker Brothers, visit barkerbrothers.com.

Sacred Sounds Fridays concerts are produced 10 times each year at the Ringgold Depot.

Two additional scholarships will be presented in 2008. For more information about the organization and its programs, contact Share America, P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755 or visit www.myspace.com/shareamerica.

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Tennessee

July 19-20 — White Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival - Cleveland, TN. Bluegrass Artists scheduled to perform include: The Dan Tyminski Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Lovell Sisters, Dismembered Tennesseans, The Grascals, Dailey & Vincent, and more.

Ticket’s for the festival will be available at the gate for $20 (Sat) and $10 (Sun). The Festival offers camping with 35 hookup sites (elec. & Water) for $20 per night and plenty of space for primitive camping at $10 a night with access to bathrooms and showers.

The festival also will host a Kickoff Party and Band Competition on July 18 from 6-9 p.m. behind the Keith St. Hardees in Cleveland Tennessee. for more information on how to enter visit the White Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival web site.

Washington

July 18-20 — Darrington Bluegrass Festival - Darrington, WA. Bluegrass artists slated for the festival include: Bobby Osborne & the Rocky Top X-Press, Blue Highway, Cedar Hill, Lost Highway, Silverado, Red Desert Ramblers, Lee Highway and more. A three day festival pass at the gate is $50 and single day tickets are available for $15 (Fri & Sun) and $20 (Sat) with Children 12 and under free with paid adult.

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