Traditional music series continues with concert by Pressley Girls
Katie (left) and Corie Pressley
The 2019-20 season of the First Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Series at Western Carolina University will continue Thursday, Nov. 7, with a concert featuring the Pressley Girls of Murphy.
The twin sisters’ 7 p.m. performance and the open jam session that follows will be held at the headquarters for Homebase College Ministry, located on the east side of the WCU campus at 82 Central Drive.
Born and raised in Brasstown, Corie Pressley and Katie Pressley focus on tight harmony and lyrical meaning as they perform, with Corie singing harmony and playing the guitar and mandolin, and her sister singing lead and playing the fiddle. They dip into an array of genres, including folk, bluegrass, gospel and country, and among their influences are their late grandfather and great-uncle, Jerry and Ray Wilson, who performed gospel music as the Wilson Brothers and were recipients of a North Carolina Folk Heritage Award.
Sponsored by WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center, the First Thursday concerts and jam sessions will continue through next spring, with programs from 7 to 9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month.
The events are free and open to the public. Pickers and singers of all ages and experience levels are invited to take part in the jam sessions, which also are open to those who just want to listen. The series will continue Thursday, Dec. 5, with a concert by Granny’s Mason Jar.
For more information, call the Mountain Heritage Center at 828-227-7129 or visit mhc.wcu.edu.
