Oak Ridge Today

CASA fundraiser features barbecue, bluegrass

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Ridge City Ramblers

Members of the Ridge City Ramblers are, from left, Gary Coleman, Mary Tuskan, Scott Linn, Abbie Hoerner, Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan and Steve Reddick. (Submitted photo)

A March 2 fundraiser that features music, a barbecue dinner, and auctions will support an organization that helps abused or neglected children in Anderson, Blount and Scott counties who are under court protection.

CASA of the Tennessee Heartland’s 10th Annual Barbeque and Bluegrass Bash is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Junior Achievement – Hollingsworth Center in Clinton.

The musicians scheduled to perform are hammer dulcimer player Allen McBride and bluegrass and Americana group the Ridge City Ramblers, featuring Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, a press release said.

[Read more…]

See Oak Ridge mayor play at Rock to Bach Music Festival

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Ridge City Ramblers

Members of the Ridge City Ramblers, who will play at the Rock to Bach Music Festival, are, from left, Gary Coleman, Mary Tuskan, Scott Linn, Abbie Hoerner, Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan and Steve Reddick. (Submitted photo)

Not every city has a mayor who plays a banjo in a band.

Oak Ridge does.

Mayor Tom Beehan and five other musicians are members of The Ridge City Ramblers. The band will perform at Oak Ridge’s third Rock to Bach Music Festival on Jan. 26 at the Oak Ridge Associated Universities Pollard Auditorium.

[Read more…]

Klezmer band part of Rock to Bach Music Festival Jan. 26

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Dor L'Dor Klezmer Band

Members of the Dor L’Dor Klezmer Band are, from left, Wes Lunsford, Jon Walton, Joe Christian, Jeff Ramey, Ken Brown, Steve Brown, Rachel Brown, and Susan Shorr Brown. (Submitted photo)

One of the groups that will perform at the third Oak Ridge Rock to Bach Music Festival on Saturday, Jan. 26, at Pollard Auditorium is the Dor L’Dor Klezmer Band.

“Your father would love us,” said band member Ken Brown. “But we’re not your father’s klezmer band.”

The band features a singer and eight other performers on three trombones, clarinet, mandolin, piano, bass, and drums. The group plays jazz, waltzes, and slow dancing tunes, as well as klezmer music (including a klezmerized version of “Stars and Stripes Forever”).

[Read more…]

Three choirs, Ridge City Ramblers perform at Sunday music festival

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Ridge City Ramblers

The Ridge City Ramblers and three local church choirs will perform Sunday in the Reach Out Music Festival at Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge.

A music festival on Sunday features three church choirs and local bluegrass and Americana group Ridge City Ramblers.

It’s the 7th annual Reach Out Music Festival, and it’s presented by Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge.

The three church choirs scheduled to perform are Grace Lutheran, led by Paula Smith; First Presbyterian, under the direction of Anna Thomas; and Kern Memorial United Methodist, led by Kevin Miller.

The free festival starts at 3 p.m. Sunday at Grace Lutheran, which is located at 131 West Gettysburg Ave.

A press release said Ridge City Ramblers have been “picking together” since 2010.

Overflow parking for Sunday’s festival is available at Woodland Elementary School behind Grace Lutheran Church. Parking lot attendants will be on hand to give directions, the release said.

The church has invited parents to bring their families, including young children.

“A nursery and attendant is ready to assist if the small children need care,” the release said.

It said a freewill offering will be taken for those who wish to contribute to the sustainability of the festival, and “finger food and fellowship” will be available after the event.

For more information, call Grace Lutheran Church at (865) 483-3787.