Coffee House -
Johnathan Dillon and Phantom Grass

Dillon

Johnathan Dillon

Smith Mountain Arts Council Presents

An Evening of Toe-Tapping Music
& Bluegrass Familiarization

with
15-year-old local banjo and mandolin sensation

Johnathan Dillon

and his band

Phantom Grass

Catch him here while you can: This recent MerleFest, RenoFest and
Muary River Fiddlers’ Convention winner
is heading off to tour with Michelle Nixon and Drive!

Friday, Feb 4th 7:00 PM

Trinity Ecumenical Parish
40 Lakemount Drive
(1 mile south of Hales Ford Bridge)
Moneta

Tickets: $15.00 at the door
or call 297-0965 to reserve

Whether you’re a diehard bluegrass fan or simply among the curious who’d like to know more about the music that’s celebrated on the nearby Crooked Road Heritage Music Trail, you won’t want to miss the SMAC Coffee House on February 4th.

Though only 15 years old, bluegrass prodigy Johnathan Dillon has been a leading figure in our area’s music scene for years-- headlining local jams; winning the 2009 MerleFest adult banjo competition, the 2010 Muary River Fiddlers’ Convention Mandolin Contest; and the 2008 RenoFest banjo competition; self-producing a number of CDs on which he plays all the instruments; and performing with his band, Phantom Grass.

Recently hired by award-winning bluegrass/gospel songstress Michelle Nixon to play mandolin in her touring band, Drive, Johnathan begins his 60-performance gig with Nixon on January 15 at the mocking Bird Café in Staunton, VA.

But you don’t have to go that far to experience Dillon’s phenomenal mandolin and banjo picking. You can enjoy as Phantom Grass performance right close by, and in an easy-going Coffee House environment, at Trinity Ecumenical Parish beginning at 7 PM on Feb. 4.

Those not especially familiar with bluegrass need not fear: Johnathan has promised to make the SMAC Coffee House “newcomer-friendly” by sharing background on the music, instruments and performances that have been so central to his boyhood in Franklin County. Count on this performance having a local flavor that will be appealing to Lakers regardless of where they lived prior to SML.

Advance reservations are $12 each—send checks to P.O. Box 70, Moneta, VA 24121--or by calling 297-0965. Seats purchased at the door will be $15.