Balsam Range, a band consisting of five acoustic musicians and singers from Western North Carolina, will be on stage at the Historic Earle Theatre on Saturday, performing a concert sponsored by the Surry Arts Council.
The band, which adopted its name from the mountain range that surrounds part of their home county of Haywood, includes elements of jazz, country, gospel, swing and old-time music in their work.
Tim Surrett entertains as MC as well as lead and harmony singing, playing bass and, on occasion, the resonator guitar.
Buddy Melton plays the fiddle and sings tenor. “His range and tone give Balsam Range its identifying sound,” according to a statement released by the arts council.
Caleb Smith has been called “one of the top young guns of guitar,” according to the council. “He sings with both power and control, delivering a high-energy song or a tender ballad with equal vocal skill.”
Darren Nicholson plays mandolin and sings harmony, while Grammy Award winner Marc Pruett brings more than 40 years of entertainment experience to the group.
“He brilliantly complements the ensemble with the intuitive, traditional three-finger style that has made him one of music’s most admired banjo players,” the council said.
The band received numerous honors in the 2015 IBMA Awards, including Vocal Group of the Year and Song of the Year with “Moon Over Memphis.” Surrett won the 2015 Bass Player of the Year Award. At the 2014 IBMA Awards, Balsam Range won Vocal Group of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. In 2014, Melton and Surrett won Male Vocalist of the Year and the Mentor Award, respectively.
The band’s fifth album, “Five,” made its Billboard Chart debut at #4 and remained on the Billboard chart for six weeks. Additionally, Balsam Range consistently tops radio airplay lists with its history of top singles.
A limited number of reserved orchestra level seats remain at $25. Balcony seats are $15. For tickets or information, call Surry Arts Council at 786-7998, visit surryarts.org or email tori@surryarts.org. The show is scheduled to being at 7:30 p.m.
