Music & Arts

HoustonFest 2014 celebrates the life, music and community service of banjo player, firefighter
and soldier Houston Caldwell, who died in a motorcycle crash in 2010. It will be held May 2-3 in Felts Park in Galax. Local and nationally known bands will perform Friday and Saturday in Galax’s Felts Park. Proceeds benefit youth music scholarships and the Galax Fire Department. Performers scheduled to appear include:

By SHAINA STOCKTON, Staff
Edward “Conway” Tobler still has the bullet from his suicide attempt, a reminder of the self-inflicted tragedy that he survived and learned from.
Six years later, Tobler is dedicated to the prevention of suicide and child abuse.
On April 4, through the non-profit organization Live for Life, Tobler and several local bands hosted the first-ever “Live for Life: Don’t Hasten Death” music festival at the Grover King VFW Post #1115 in Hillsville.

This year’s HoustonFest music festival in Galax’s Felts Park will feature two distinctive sounds from the beloved “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” film soundtrack.
In 2001, both Ralph Stanley and The Whites were hand-selected from among bluegrass music’s finest to participate in the soundtrack and appear in the film. Both artists took home Grammy awards when the soundtrack won Album of the Year.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has appointed Richard Emmett as director of music programming at the Blue Ridge Music Center, located on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Galax.
Just a few weeks into his new position, Emmett has spent his time meeting local talent, familiarizing himself with his surroundings and learning everything he can from his predecessor, Erynn Marshall.
Walking into his office, Emmett immediately pointed to one of his favorite perks about his new job: a window that overlooks the natural beauty found along the parkway.