Published: March 06, 2009 04:10 pm      

Concert will help two local organizations

Two local organizations, the West Virginia Alzheimer’s Association and Bluefield’s Women in Search of Empowerment (WISE), will gather together for a bluegrass charity concert on Wednesday, March 25. The concert, which begins at 8 p.m., will feature former native Steve Smith and local band South 52.

A performer for more than 28 years, Smith has been a solo artist, bandleader, sideman and session player and a producer for bluegrass music, old-time, Celtic, new acoustic jazz and chamber music. In addition to a regular solo tour, Smith tours with his group Steve Smith and Hard Road, The Alan Munde Gazette, Jim Hurst and Bill Evans and maintains a busy teaching and workshop schedule as a mandolin instructor at Camp Bluegrass, the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop and the California Coast Music Camp, along with recordings on the mandolin, mandola, mandocello and guitar.

South 52 is a local band featuring Alan Johnston, Charlie Davis, Stacy Grubb, Jessi Shumate, Steven Acord and Nathan Lawson. The band’s latest CD is titled “Sweet Appalachia.”

“This band is wonderful, one of the band members Stacy Grubb just came back from Nashville, Tenn. I will tell you that Stacy sounds like Alison Krauss and her sister Jessi sounds like Patsy Cline,” Lisa Saunders said.

Saunders, a Alzheimer’s volunteer organized the event, after securing Smith’s appearance in the show.

“One thing just led to another,” she said. “I took it and started running with it.” Saunders teamed up with WISE and added local band South 52 to the musical line-up. Tickets for the show at the Bluefield Elks will be $20. Hors d’ oeuvres will be served and a cash bar is available for guests.

“We really want to focus on Alzheimer’s Disease. We want people to realize it is a serious condition,” Saunders said.

Besides the music and food, a memory tree will be placed at the event for guests to remember friends and family affected by the disease. A representative from the West Virginia Alzheimer’s Association in Charleston will speak and deliver information about the disease. As well as, Connie Saunders, the executive director of WISE, an organization that helps women find jobs.

“WISE and Alzheimer’s Association will receive funding because the proceeds will be divided between the two non-profits,” Connie Saunders said.

Tickets can be purchased at S&S Wireless, Bluefield Elks, WISE and Venture Printing and Office Supply. For more information, call (304) 324-5809. Doors will open at 7 p.m., on the night of the concert.