Bath Bluegrass Jamboree features Goldwing Express
On April 11th at Bath County High School everyone from around the whole area will have a chance for a great time at the Bluegrass Jamboree. This annual event is a fundraiser for Allegheny Mountain Radio, and brings in wonderful musical acts from this region and from across the country. Goldwing Express is the headliner for the evening, and delivers a mix of music and comedy for young and old to enjoy.
The band is made up of Bob Baldridge, and his three sons, Paul, Steven and Shawn. Their instruments include a mandolin, guitar, banjo and upright bass. All the brothers have played together with their father since they were very young. Steven spoke about how they got started as a family that performed together.
“We’d always heard of Bluegrass music in the mountains. We grew up in Oklahoma. That’s where our home is at. So it was very fascinating to get familiar with different artists that are out there, and you put the two together. We just learned how to play the Bluegrass sounds, and put it with our own style with what our personalities project. “
“Our family was honored with winning Entertaining Musical Family Group of the Year in South Texas for the Valley Star Awards which, down in that area that’s a big deal. In the Mid-West we were honored with being inducted into the Mid-West Country Music Hall of Fame for the Iowa state area.”
Goldwing Express travels regularly across this country and into Canada. A special element the family includes in their show is their Native American Heritage. Their mother was a member of the Creek Nation, and instilled pride in that heritage in her sons.
When asked what he hopes the audience will take home with them after an evening at the Bluegrass Jamboree, Steve replied.
“If we can perform a certain song for them, that will maybe pick them up, or if we can get them to laugh, stomp their feet, clap their hands, or maybe even cry, we feel like we’ve done our job.”
The doors for the Jamboree will open at 4:30. And the music will start at 6:00. Two other groups who will perform are Gravel Road and Southern Rail Express. There will also be a special appearance by the Allegheny Mountain String Project.
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