New Year’s Eve Dance at FCS

The Floyd Country Store will host a New Year’s Eve dance featuring the Zephyr Lightning Bolts and The Route 8 Ramblers on December 31st from 8pm till midnight.  Tickets are $5.00 at the door.  Come celebrate with your friends and family at the Floyd Country Store.

Founded about 18 years ago, the “Zephyr Lightning Bolts” have enjoyed performing around the areas of Northwest North Carolina and Southwest Virginia. Steve Bowen is the bass player. His wife, Diane plays clawhammer banjo, and their son, Jacob Bowen is the fiddler. Friend, Chester McMillian is the guitarist. The band has reconfigured over the years with several guitarists, but now has a strong musician in Chester. A somewhat unique feature of the band is that all the four musicians contribute to the vocals. Originally the Bowens lived in the small Surry County Community of Zephyr (Hence the Band’s name), but about eight years ago, they moved across the Mitchell River into the Wilkes County Community of Pleasant Ridge, Steve’s Homeplace.

The Route 8 Ramblers are a group of Old Time musicians from the area who will bring their talents together for this one night to celebrate the new year. Mac Traynham of Willis, VA is an Old Time musician and banjo builder.  He plays fiddle, banjo and guitar regularly at the Floyd Country Store, travels regionally, as well as hosting workshops in the area.  Larry Mabe of Woolwine, VA and of the Lone Ivy String band will play banjo, Sam Linkous of Blacksburg, VA on bass and George Slusher of Floyd, VA on guitar.  These four players make up an all-star line up to bring in the new year.

Public welcome. Tickets $5.00 at the door, by phone 540-745-4563, or in advance at the store.