Published: March 16, 2007 01:57 pm      

Annual Springfest Concert on March 31 benefits Hampshire High School's FFA

ROMNEY, W.Va. - The Hampshire High School Future Farmers of America will present its third annual Springfest Concert on March 31 in the school auditorium.

Regional bluegrass band Lonesome Highway will open for the headliner, Marty Raybon and Full Circle. A matinee show is scheduled for 2 p.m., with the evening show set for 7 o'clock.

Proceeds from the shows will help defray the cost of students going to state, regional and national competitions.

Raybon was the lead singer for the award winning country group Shenandoah with songs such as "Mama Knows," "Ghost In This House," "Two Dozen Roses" and "Church On Cumberland Road."

His performances have earned Raybon widespread critical acclaim.

"He can take a lyric and put heartbreak into the melody like no other singer before him," said one review.

Rascal Flatts' lead vocalist Gary LeVox called Raybon "the greatest singer on the planet to this day" and country music historian Robert K. Oerman said "Marty Raybon's voice is truly one of Nashville's greatest treasures."

Lonesome Highway was formed in 1996 when four former high school classmates reunited to establish a serious bluegrass band to perform throughout the region. Original members John Arnold III (banjo), Jimmy Kountz (mandolin), Tim Southerly (guitar) and Jody Southerly (bass) played together at various festivals and events until 2003.

The band became popular throughout the tri-state region, taking first place honors at numerous band competitions in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia, and earned a fifth place finish during its first appearance at the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America International Band competition in 2002.

They have performed with professional musicians such as IIIrd Tyme Out, Lonesome River Band, Kathy Mattea, The Lewis Family and Mac Wiseman.

In February of 2003, Tim left the band to pursue other interests and was replaced by Mark Gibson of Capon Bridge for the remainder of the year. Tom Suddath, another young musician in the county, joined the band on guitar and sharing the lead vocals with Kountz at the beginning of 2004.

The group released its first album, "Look Back on Love," in 1999 and recorded its second album, "Chalk Up Another One," in the summer of 2004.

Both reserve and general seating tickets are available. For evening and matinee tickets or ticket information, call Martin Cecil, (304) 492-4036, Ron Miller, (301) 729-0083, or John Arnold, (304) 813-8229, or at the Web site, lhway.com/springfest.htm.

Overnight parking for recreational vehicles will be available.

Food and beverages will be available in the adjacent gymnasium. A designated area in the gym will be set up for musicians who wish to participate in a jam session. Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted on school premises.

The bands are possible thanks to the major sponsorship of Michael Brown, Mayhew Chevrolet, Roomsburg Homes LLC, and Shanholtzer's Collision.

Matinee tickets are available at the Shipping Shop, Capon Bridge, (304) 856-2003; Farm Credit, Romney/Petersburg, (304) 822-4414; Potomac Music, Romney, (304) 822-6021; Queen City Creamery and Deli, Cumberland, (301) 777-0011; and Chad's Barber Shop, Moorefield, (304) 530-7070.