The Reason for the Benefit

Why is it important to keep places like White Horse Black Mountain alive and well?

White Horse Black Mountain makes a difference in the lives of people.

The venue has been a huge asset for the people of Black Mountain and the surrounding areas of Western North Carolina. The venue has been praised by musicians, audience members, and members of the community for it's quality peformances and it's warm and welcoming spirit.

But it goes beyond that. White Horse Black Mountain has demonstrated that it truly cares about people and desires to make a difference in the lives of people; locally, regionally, and around the world.

During early March, White Horse Black Mountain held it's 2nd Help Haiti Heal Benefit event. Asheville resident and friend of White Horse, Lorin Mallorie, was in Haiti at the time and helped arrange and remote Skype broadcast of Haitian musicians who once again had a stage to share their lives and music with the world. Their performance was shown live on the huge screen at White Horse and White Horse arranged to have the performance webcast live ..... so that anyone in the world could see and hear the voices and music of Haiti.

Lorin Mallorie describes the impact of that event as follows:

On Saturday evening we stage a "live" concert via satellite call to White Horse Black Mountain, which is hosting a Haiti benefit. James Vergenau (aka Rebel) of the Haitian reggae band Yizra'el sings an original tune called "Mother Nature"; Jagat accompanies him on the hand drums. The smaller venues here are still closed for reconstruction, and it's Rebel's first performance since the quake two months ago.

They tell me the White Horse audience was in tears. But what stays with me from that night in Kenscoff is the look in Rebel's eyes, alive and inspired to once again be playing the music he loves — this time for a little town in far off America.





Whitewater Bluegrass Company

WHITEWATER BLUEGRASS COMPANY

For over 25 years The Whitewater Bluegrass Co. has captivated audiences throughout the Southeast with their blend of Bluegrass music, country ballads, mountain swing and down-home humor. With Whitewater, mountain culture is a celebration of music, song and dance.

Audience involvement is a priority for any Whitewater performance. With true Southern charm and manners Whitewater's MC, square-dance caller and bass man, "Uncle Ted" White, will put you right at ease. He can have you dancing and following calls in as little as fifteen minutes. Combine this with some country wit and you have a show with a solid foundation.

The driving rhythm of Bill Byerly's Martin guitar provides the backdrop against which the melody of sound is woven. Bill has been a veteran of the Asheville music scene for over 30 years. After discovering electricity, he became one of the leading players of Southern Rock, dance music and Top 40 coming out of Western North Carolina. He returned to acoustic music some 24 years ago, after he joined The Whitewater Bluegrass Co.

These two founding members have brought together some of the finest musicians this area has to offer. With the addition of David Pendley on mandolin, the blend of the Whitewater sound has become riveting. Dave served for ten years with "Ric-o-Chet," who recorded several albums for Rebel Records. His distinct chop, paired with impeccable timing, adds to the drive of Whitewater's accent. In addition, his great ear for harmony and lead singing make Dave a welcome addition to the Whitewater family.

Steve Sutton, on banjo, has had a vast and varied career. He cut his musical teeth working for Raymond Fairchild in Maggie Valley and went directly from there to working with the King of Bluegrass, Mr. Good & Country, Jimmy Martin. He has helped Rhonda Vincent create her sound with The Rage and most recently worked with Alicia Nugent. Steve is an International Bluegrass Music Award (IBMA) winner as well as a Grammy nominated artist. His machine-gun delivery with the banjo will leave you wanting more.

Gary Mackey, on fiddle, is one of the most animated players in music. He has recorded for some of the top acts coming out of Nashville today including the Bellamy Brothers and Dolly Parton, as well as working for the Goose Creek Symphony. Learning fiddle tunes at an early age at the knee of Uncle Albert and Aunt Emma Hammond, Gary went on to become a two-time Georgia State fiddle champion. He is a true showman and a delight to witness as he performs.

Whether they are playing a festival, convention, wedding or just a good old mountain-style party, The Whitewater Bluegrass Co. offers the best interface between culture and crowd. With their tight sound they have served as the host band for Folkmoot U.S.A., the Smokey Mountain Folk Festival, Kanuga Conference Centers and the Historic Horse Barn on the Biltmore Estate. They have also been featured entertainers for the North Carolina Bar Association, the Carter Family Fold, the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University and the Grove Park Inn.

Whitewater Bluegrass Co. currently has two CD's out Still Havin' Fun and Pickin' in the Blueridge. They have also served as the staff band for the first in the DVD series Spirit of the Mountains, The Stories of Uncle Albert Burnett.