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Mark Newton, a Fredericksburg native, will return to the area this Saturday, putting on a major concert to benefit JM athletics. |
BY JONAS BEALS
Bluegrass musician Mark Newton has built it. Now all he needs is for people to come hear it.
On Saturday, Maury Stadium will be the venue for an all-day bluegrass festival starring The Mark Newton Band, Larry Stephenson, Claire Lynch, IIIrd Tyme Out and The Seldom Scene.
The "Homecoming Pickin' Party" will be a dream come true for Newton, who lives near Nashville but grew up here.
"I played for countless hours on that football field" at JM, he said. "All of us who grew up in Fredericksburg in the '60s and '70s, that was our place to hang out."
The event percolated in Newton's mind since 1991--an idea that slowly took shape as his notable music career carried him all over the globe. That's a long way to travel when your own hometown has a significant number of bluegrass fans.
Newton figured he could bring the music to Fredericksburg instead.
It has been 15 months since he made the decision to start putting the event together.
Newton, along with friends Barry Surles and Mike Loving, has made plans, raised funds, advertised, secured permits and worked with countless city officials and businesses to get this far.
The only thing left is to pray for good weather.
"We were able to present it in a way that people viewed it as a professional event," Newton said. "That was my underlying fear--whether I was going to be able to pull that off. You just hope to present it to the community in such a way that they view it as something that's good for everyone."
Newton said he received plenty of advice, much of it suggesting he should branch out from bluegrass to try to draw a broader audience. He understands that impulse and toyed with the idea, but ultimately felt more comfortable working in the genre he knows best.
Aside from the list of high-caliber bluegrass acts, the evening will conclude with an all-hands-on-deck all-star jam session, featuring an appearance by the Shiloh Baptist Church (New Site) Men's Choir.
Despite that collection of talent, Newton felt that the event wouldn't succeed on music alone. He looked for a worthy cause and found his alma mater: James Monroe High School.
"Fredericksburg is a city of events," he said. "Yes, this is a concert, but it's more than that."
Newton has recouped his production costs through sponsorships, and plans to direct ticket revenue to the James Monroe athletic department. Newton played football, basketball and baseball in high school.
"I hung my hat on sports as a young person," he said. "Academics were not my strong suit. It was all about sports for me."
In that spirit, state Sen. Ed Houck will present a commending resolution to the coaches and players from last year's state champion James Monroe football team.
In addition to helping high school sports programs, the event will serve as a gathering place for James Monroe reunion classes. Tents will be set up to host a number of participating classes.
The non-musical portions of the program reflect what Newton really wants to do with the event: bring people together, reunite with old friends and support his hometown.
He hopes that happens regardless of people's particular taste in music.
"To me, it's a celebration of life," he said. "Everyone who has supported the event has a connection to my past."
Like the Bluemont concert series, the pickin' party will have a stage on the field, facing the concrete bleachers.
Unlike Bluemont, there will be a beer garden. That particular feature raised concerns from a few residents, but Newton said those have been smoothed over.
He even received a $3,000 Economic Development Authority grant for the event.
Everything is in order for him to bring along some old friends and play in front of the building where he went to elementary school.
"I think Fredericksburg is one of the coolest towns in the country," Newton said. "I want to share the town with others. It makes me feel proud."
Jonas Beals: 540/368-5036
Email: jbeals@freelancestar.com
| What: Mark Newton's Homecoming Pickin' Party, featuring the Mark Newton Band, the Larry Stephenson Band, the Claire Lynch Band, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out and the Seldom Scene Where: Maury Stadium on Kenmore Avenue in downtown Fredericksburg When: Saturday, Sept. 19. Gates open at 10 a.m., music starts at noon. Cost: $30 in advance, $35 at the gate. Tickets are available at Picker's Supply, the Rec Center Pool Hall, Downtown Salon and the Fredericksburg Visitor Center. Under age 11 free with adult. Info: marknewtonshomecoming pickinparty.com; 888/218-8439 |
