FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/24/09

Morgan Arts Council • Berkeley Springs, WV
Press contact only: Mary Hott -- 304-258-2300
www.macicehouse.org


WORDS AND MUSIC MAKE CONCERT AT ICE HOUSE


BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ---- The Morgan Arts Council (MAC) presents the
music of Appalachian treasures Kate Long and Robin Kessinger in
concert at the Ice House on Friday, October 30 at 7:30pm. The noted
singer/songwriter is finishing a week in Morgan County schools.
"We're hoping the kids will bring their families to the concert to
share what they've been learning all week," says Mary Hott, MAC
Executive Director.

The inspired collaboration of Long's dusky voice and magical songs
with Kessinger's award-winning flat pick guitar wizardry promises an
evening of compelling music. Together, they enliven the audience with
their down-home mix of traditional tunes, new-songs-that-sound-old,
knockout instrumentals, a capella singing, and storytelling.

West Virginian, Kate Long, is a national award-winning songwriter with
a voice to match the richness and depth of her songs. She has also
collected awards for her writing and WV Public Radio productions.
Robin Kessinger is a national flatpick guitar champion with 8 CDs of
his own and a reputation as one of the folk world’s most respected
guitar masters and teachers. He and his legendary musical family are
the subject of a BBC documentary. His uncle, legendary old-time
fiddler Clark Kessinger, was the first old time musician to sell more
than a million LPs.

"The concert, as well as Kate's work in the schools, is part of the
songwriting emphasis we've had during the Back to Our Roots year,"
says Hott. "We selected Kate because she writes classic songs that
have been recorded by dozens of artists and won national awards. The
audience will be learning as well as listening to music." MAC is
partnering with FAST, the Morgan County Foundation for Arts, Sciences
and Technology in the songwriting. FAST is encouraging folks of all
ages to write Morgan County songs and enter them in the fall
songwriting contest that has a deadline of November 6. "The winning
songs will be announced at the Local Roots Music Concert on November
28," says Hott.

Long is accompanied by Morgan County musician, Joe Herrmann in her
work at Warm Springs Middle School and Paw Paw schools. The school
activities and the concert are funded in part by FAST, the WV
Commission on the Arts, Morgan County School Board and local hotel
taxes. To reserve tickets for the concert, call MAC at 304-258-2300.
The Ice House is located on Independence and Mercer in downtown
Berkeley Springs, WV.