Arts & Culture

Rich and the Po' Folks Bring Mountain Sound

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2010) − The old-time string band, Rich and the Po' Folks, will perform at the next "Appalachia in the Bluegrass" concert. The free public concert is scheduled for noon Friday, Sept. 17, in the Niles Gallery, located in the University of Kentucky Lucille C. Little Fine Arts Library and Learning Center.  

Rich and the Po' Folks was formed in the spring of 2006 by a group of friends that shared a love of traditional mountain music of eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia. Their musical inspiration is drawn from Appalachian fiddlers, banjo players, singers and songwriters such as Art Stamper, Ed Haley, Charlie Osborne, George Gibson, Addie Graham and John Morgan Salyer. The band marries tradition and hard driving energy to create that Appalachian mountain feel.

To listen to some music from Rich and the Po' Folks, visit their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/richandthepoorfolks.

The annual "Appalachia in the Bluegrass" concert series, presented by UK's John Jacob Niles Center for American Music, explores and celebrates traditional music of the Appalachian region. A variety of traditional Appalachia music has been represented through the past few years; from old time sounds of a mountain banjo player to blues-infused styles of music. This year's concert series focuses on different types of American folk music celebrating its roots in old-time music. The Niles Center is a collaborative research and performance center of the UK College of Fine Arts, UK School of Music and UK Libraries.

This year's concert series is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Niles Center and the Appalachian Studies Program.

For more information on the Rich and the Po' Folks concert or the "Appalachia in the Bluegrass" concert series, contact Ron Pen, director of the Niles Center by e-mail to Ron.Pen@uky.edu or visit online at www.uky.edu/FineArts/Music/Niles