Members of the Uncle Dave Macon Days committee today announced this year’s Heritage Award winner and headlining performers as bluegrass legends, Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White.
“The choice to award Ricky and Sharon the Heritage Award was easy,” said Gloria Christy, President of Uncle Dave Macon Days, Inc. “Ricky embodies everything Uncle Dave loved about music. Like Uncle Dave, Ricky’s musical interest as been woven through his being since childhood. Ricky knows the joy of playing good music and he’s held true to his roots.”
The event, now in its 36th year, is a three-day festival and old-time music competition held annually in Murfreesboro’s Cannonsburgh Village. Macon Days, as it is colloquially referred, will draw up to 30,000 people on July 12, 13 & 14.
“Macon Days is an event that people look forward to year after year,” says Teresa Owen, Festival Director. “The festival celebrates the roots of all American music, from country and bluegrass to blues and rock. All these popular genres can trace their beginnings back to this old-time music style.”
While the music is the center point of the summer event, the Americana culture is not to be forgotten. From blacksmithing demonstrations to the motorless parade that sachets down one of the state’s busiest roadways to the all-new Matilda Macon Arts and Crafts Village. The festival ends Sunday afternoon with the FREE Gospel Showcase and Community Service Fair.During a press conference, the committee also announced the Trailblazer Award posthumously bestowed on pioneers Sam and Kirk McGee. The Franklin natives were one of the earliest country duos and performed regularly with Uncle Dave, Bill Monroe and Arthur Smith.
The committee announced new event hours to help visitors enjoy more of the musical competition. The gates will open at 10 a.m. on each day of the festival and won’t end until every performer has the opportunity to play.
“Because the competition has been so full the last few years, some of the best musicians and dance performers don’t take the stage until well into the nighttime hours,” says Christy. “The performers don’t mind this at all, but the audience is very family-oriented and they just can’t stay out that late.”
Despite the event’s extended hours, ticket prices are not going up. Gate admission is $5 on Friday and Saturday, and children under 12 get in for free with a paying adult. As is tradition, there is no charge at the gate on Sunday.
More information about the event, including schedules, activities and featured events can be found on the festival web site at www.uncledavemacondays.com and Facebook pages leading up to the event.
Uncle Dave Macon, nicknamed The Dixie Dewdrop, was a banjo-picking, original member of the Grand Ole Opry known for hit songs such as “Cripple Creek” and “Keep My Skillet Good And Greasy All The Time.” The Rutherford County native is often called the first super star of the Grand Ole Opry and the festival that bears his name pays homage to both the legacy of the musician and the culture of old time America.
Uncle Dave Macon Days Festival is celebrating its 36th year as the pinnacle music competition and celebration of Old-Time Music and Dance in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Uncle Dave Macon was the Grand Ole Opry’s first super-star and a resident of Rutherford County. Macon mixed the sound of the Highland Rim folk music, the instrumentation of African-American blues, and the entertainment fun of vaudevillian Tin Pan Alley acts. Each summer the festival attracts more than 30,000 musicians, fans and other enthusiasts to Rutherford County and makes an estimate 2 million dollar impact on the summer economy of the community, making it a true destination event.
SUMMARY
- Uncle Dave Macon Days is scheduled for July 12, 13 & 14, 2013 at Cannonsburgh Village in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
- Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White will be featured as Grand Marshalls of the Motorless Parade July 13th at 10am and recognized that evening as the Heritage Award Winners, with a live performance at 7pm
- Sam and Kirk McGee will be recognized as the Trailblazer Award Winners and a tribute performance will take place at 7 p.m. on July 12.
- Gates open at 10 a.m. featuring the Matilda Macon Arts and Craft Village
- Ticket prices are just $5 each day, except Sunday when the gates are open free of charge. Children under 12 are always free.
- In addition to the music, the event features Americana cultural activities and a motorless parade on Saturday down Broad Street in Murfreesboro.