Pro-Art presents Newberry & Verch | Big Stone Gap, Va

The 53rd Home Craft Days kicks off with the annual Opening Night Concert featuring Joe Newberry & April Verch, Linda Lay and Springfield Exit, & more!

Whether it is the power of two voices lifted in harmony, or the sound of traditional tunes calling people to get up and move, these two masters of tradition put on an unforgettable show. Tunes, ballads, step dancing, and original songs by way of Canada and the Ozarks ring like silver and shine like gold. With beautiful harmony singing, breathtaking instrumentals, and exquisite dancing, Newberry and Verch hit the stage in perfect rhythm, making folks remember why this music existed in the first place.

Bluegrass singer and bassist Linda Lay spent her early years with Janette Carter at the Carter Family Fold. Linda met her husband, guitarist and singer David Lay, and they formed Springfield Exit, together with David McLaughlin. Springfield Exit is now considered one of Virginia’s outstanding trios of singers. They perform original songs and a wide variety of their own arrangements of old standards and traditional songs, with instrumentals influenced by both traditional and contemporary country, blues, swing, bluegrass, and folk.

We’re proud to be a co-sponsor of the festival and, alongside our partners at Mountain Empire Community Community College, participate in the local arts traditions of our region.

Tommy Bledsoe, Rich Kirby, Todd Meade, and Tyler Hughes will open Friday night’s concert. Tommy Bledsoe and Rich Kirby have extensive roots in Southwest Virginia’s old time music. The two have been instrumental in organizing music for Home Craft Days for over 40 years. Combined, the four represent over fifty years’ experience with the region’s music and its tradition bearers like Janette Carter, Uncle Charlie Osborne, and Ralph Stanley. 

The 2024 Home Craft Days celebration will be held October 18-20 on the campus of Mountain Empire Community College. Saturday and Sunday will feature performances every hour on two stages. The Crafts Festival will begin on Saturday, October 19 from 10-6 and Sunday, October 20 from 10-5. Enjoy the food, fun, and friendship of Southwest Virginia and come home to the Home Craft Days festival. Find more information and the schedule of events at homecraftdays.org.