“50 Years in the Making” is an old-school blues and bluegrass benefit concert held at Virginia Tech’s Moss Center

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) — Whether you love old time, blues or bluegrass, you can enjoy all of those sounds at a benefit show Tuesday night at Virginia Tech’s Moss Center.

“Our particular brand of early music is so influenced by where we live. So speaking of this concert, it will feature old time, blues and bluegrass. All three are such genres of music that are so ingrained in this region,” says Jack Hinshelwood, who has been playing Appalachian music for 50 years.

Tonight’s concert to benefit the Montgomery Museum of Art and History was his creation.

The museum closes its Pepper Street location and moves to East Main Street in Christiansburg.

Its managing director explains what early music means to him.

“For me, I view early music as a genre of music that represents our heritage here in the mountains, and people like Jack represent that really well as he has for decades,” says Casey Jenkins, executive director of the Montgomery Museum. . of Art and History.

Hinshelwood’s 50 Years in the Making project resulted in a recording of songs with two dozen other musicians.

About half will appear at tonight’s concert.

“So we’re going to be about 10 of us playing this music at the Moss Arts Center in Blacksburg at Virginia Tech in support of the Montgomery Museum of Art and History. People like Rob Ickes, Trey Hensley, Butch Robbins, Phil Wiggins, says Hinshelwood.

Another goal of the concert at Virginia Tech is to attract a new audience of old-time music listeners.

“From what I’ve learned from the music and snippets I’ve heard from Jack and others over the past two months, it’s going to be one hell of a gig, and it’s going to be a blow to the Moss Arts Center,” says Jenkins.

“50 Years in the Making,” a concert of Old Time, Blues, and Bluegrass music will take place Tuesday evening, April 5, at 7 p.m. at the Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech.

Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

All proceeds benefit the Montgomery Museum.

Click here for a link to purchase tickets.

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