By Clare Sherman —
In a recent Miami Regionals public programming event, bluegrass band Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass played for a crowd at the Harry T. Wilkes Conference Center. Audiences enjoyed an hour of classic tunes, both lively and melancholic.
Prior to the band’s performance, audience members helped themselves to complementary food and desert while mingling and finding a place to sit. By the time the event began, the room was nearly filled with enthusiastic bluegrass fans, many of whom regularly attend similar Appalachian Studies events at Miami Regionals.
At 7:00pm, Dr. Matthew Smith opened the event by speaking about the upcoming public programming events at Miami Regionals. On April 14th, Richard Brookhiser, a historian, biographer, and National Humanities medal winner, will speak at the Parrish Auditorium at the Hamilton campus. As a reminder, Dr. Smith stated that all public programming events at the Regionals are free to the public. He prided the Regionals as being not just a school for students, but also a space for anyone to participate in community-oriented events. Those who wish to make a donation to the Regionals’ public programming can find donor cards available at the entrance of every event.
Dr. Matthew Smith introduces Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass at the Harry T. Wilkes Conference Center.
After the announcements, Appalachian Grass’s MC, Vernon McIntyre, addressed the crowd, flanked by members Kitty McIntyre, Robert Campell, Susan Shook, and Tammy Powers, all in matching red attire. McIntyre immediately drew the crowd in with humor, telling them, “If you like bluegrass music, you’re in the right place, and if you don’t like bluegrass music, you’re still in the right place!” Moments later, after the band warmed up, McIntyre joked, “We’re taking a quick break.” He kept the atmosphere lighthearted throughout the evening, often good-naturedly teasing the band members or joking about a song.
Appalachian Grass played a variety of tunes, with Vernon McIntyre on guitar, Kitty McIntyre on the fiddle, Robert Campell on the banjo, Susan Shook on the mandolin, and Tammy Powers on the upright bass. Audience members responded with enthusiasm, frequently swaying to the music and clapping for the band’s impressive skills. “Some Old Day,” “The Snake,” and “A Good Woman’s Love” were all crowd favorites. McIntyre often gave some background on the songs, speaking about bluegrass legends like Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys and Flat and Scruggs. Additionally, he highlighted his fellow band members throughout the evening, noting that Campell was once his student and that Kitty has a background in classical music.
At the end of the evening, McIntyre thanked the crowd for their time, and audience members were welcomed to more refreshments. To find out more about Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, please visit their website, and click here to stay updated on all Miami Regionals’ public programming events.
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