Kenny and Amanda Smith front the award-winning Kenny and Amanda Smith Band. They are backed by Trent Callicutt (banjo), Spencer Strickland (mandolin) and Zachary McLamb (upright bass).IF YOU GOWhat: Kenny and Amanda Smith Band, Dade County Boys in concert.When: 7-10 p.m. Thursday, doors open for jam session 5 p.m.Where: Fred A. Morgan American Legion Post 106, 13205 N. Main St., Trenton, Ga.Admission: $8 in advance (through Monday), $10 at the door.Phone: 706-657-4690 tickets, 423-260-6264 information.GUITAR WORKSHOPKenny Smith, a two-time IBMA Guitarist of the Year, will offer a guitar workshop before Thursday's show. Cost is $50, which includes admission to the show. Sign up at www.acousticaccess.com.
Pickin' at the Post, a new Thursday night gathering of bluegrass fans in Trenton, Ga., will welcome a nationally touring act at its next session.
The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band, named by the International Bluegrass Music Association as Emerging Artist of the Year in 2003, will take the stage at 9 p.m. Thursday at the Fred A. Morgan American Legion Post 106.
Before the show, Kenny Smith, a two-time IBMA Guitarist of the Year, will present a guitar workshop. Smith is widely considered one of the most influential flatpicking guitarists of his generation. His professional credits include six years with the Lonesome River Band and two solo CDs.
He met his future wife at an LRB concert. Almost immediately, they began making music together. Their debut release, "Slowly But Surely," in 2001, surged up the bluegrass charts on the strength of the hit song "Amy Brown" and piqued interest from the IBMA.
The band's third project, "Tell Someone," was an all-gospel project that earned Grammy, Dove and IBMA award nominations, and it's "Shoutin' Time" single was nominated for Song of the Year at the Singing News Awards.
Pickin' at the Post will be held weekly, except on first Thursdays. Doors open at 5 p.m. for an open jam session. Stage performances begin at 7 p.m., with the Dade County Boys as host band.
Shows most weeks are free, although donations are accepted to help provide for bands that travel long distances. Admission fees will be collected when more prominent acts are booked.
Proceeds from Pickin' at the Post support the Trenton American Legion.