Teenage band Mountain Cove Bluegrass will be Pickin’ for a Cause on Saturday night. They’ll be joined in the Mountain Opry auditorium by harmonica player Wailin Wood, Mountain City Grass and 2010 International Bluegrass Music Museum legend Randall Franks.
Mountain Cove musician Cody Harvey, a senior at Signal Mountain High School, said the fundraiser is part of a senior project.
“We chose to produce the concert for the Share America Foundation to help raise money for students like ourselves to go to college as well as keep the tradition of bluegrass and gospel music alive,” he said in a news release.
Share America supports youths who excel in traditional Appalachian musical styles through its Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund. Mountain Cove previously performed for the nonprofit foundation in Ringgold, Ga., and Harvey said he and his bandmates were impressed with its purpose and the encouragement they received from the audience and fellow performers.
IF YOU GO* What: Pickin’ for a Cause.* When: 7 p.m. Saturday.* Where: Mountain Opry, 2501 Fairmount Pike, Signal Mountain.* Admission: $5.* Phone: 886-1487.* Websites: www.mountaincovebluegrass.com, www.shareamericafoundation.org.
“We felt humbled to play for the organization,” he said. “We thought what a perfect match for a teenage bluegrass band to assist an organization that pro motes the musical heritage of our area.”
Harvey said music plays a huge role in the band members’ everyday lives.
“Sometimes we play it for fun, to cheer us up, for other people’s enjoyment, but most important of all, to worship the Lord,” he said. “The music allows us to express ourselves, as well as reflects a good image in comparison with other music styles such as rock, hip-hop or rap.”
The Mountain Opry will be open tonight for its regular Friday night picking session as well.