For about fifteen years, Oakland Community College has sponsored performing arts, including a bluegrass concert series. They have canceled that sponsorship, and there will be no performing arts at the College next season. This is sad for those of us who have enjoyed a variety of performing arts, and particularly the bluegrass series.
Tom and Barb Laing have consistently cooperated with the college in bringing a high level of bluegrass talent to the area, and we are very appreciative of that hard work. Tom is collecting statements on behalf of the bluegrass series to present to the College board, if you have not already signed one, please contact us from the link at the bottom of the page and we will put you in touch with Tom. Tom is also working hard to find a venue to continue the series in some way. If you wish to be on a mailing list and receive information about events next year, you may also use the link below. Send your name and complete mailing address. We will forward it to Tom, and otherwise keep it confidential.
The last bluegrass concert of the year was Friday, May 14.. Ms. Velma Jones of the College presented Tom with a momento for his hard work on behalf of performing arts in the area.
I believe that Tom was surprised, and the attendees gave him a standing ovation.
The main event of the evening was J.D. Crow & the New South. It was a strong show,this season’s line-up in the New South is: J.D. on banjo, Ricky Wasson, guitar; Dwight McCall, mandolin, Kyle Perkins, bass; and Matt DeSpain, resonator guitar. The rest of our photos are posted in the gallery.
