In a review for the Grandin Theatre web site last year in reference to the film version of "A Prarie Home Companion," I called Garrison Keillor's NPR show 'The Blue State equivalent of Hee Haw.'
A few friends of mine who are fans of the show took a slight exception to my remark.
But, now I can make it up to them, by promoting the June 23 "PRC" show which takes place in Kansas City because it features the Durham bluegrass band Carolina Chocolate Drops, which is one of only two African-American string bands in the country....
In a world with Turkish heavy metal bands (more on in a later entry) and the Russian swing band Red Elvises (see earlier entries), I suppose nothing is too surprising. But, when I watched the CCD perform at the Charlie Poole Bluegrass Festival in Eden, NC, last weekend and saw musician Dom Flemmons dressed like an actor from "The Beverly Hillbilies," I was genuinely shocked.
But, the CCD is much more than a mere novelty band. They are excellent musicians who perform amazing music at every level.
Flemmons is incredibly gifted at what he does as he can play four-string banjo, guitar, jug, kazoo and harmonica. He is joined by Justin Robinson of Gastonia, NC, who can play fiddle and five-string banjo. Lead singer Rhiannon Gidden is a brilliant vocalist from Greensboro who also plays five-string banjo and fiddle.
In addition to their NPR performance, the CCD will be performing in Charlotte and Durham later this month. For my friends in the Roanoke-Blacksburg area of Virginia, the CCD will be playing Floyd Fest between July 27-29.
And, in Canada, the band has concert gigs in Winnipeg and Vancouver.
The CCD will be rereleasing their album 'Dona Got a Ramblin' Mind" on June 25.
They cite bluegrass musicians Joe and Odell Thompson as being one of their influences.
For more info:
http://www.myspace.com/carolinachocolatedrops
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