Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike
Cedar Key School Auditorium
Wednesday, July 21 - 7 p.m. $10 at the door under age 12 FREE
Fundraiser for Cedar Key School Arts Program Noted bluegrass group Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike are bringing their high-energy musical show to Cedar Key on Wednesday July 21st at 7pm. Tickets are $10 (and 12 and under free) and will be available at the door at Cedar Key School Auditorium. Proceeds will benefit Cedar Key School Art program. On their way to larger venues, local fans invited the band to make a stop in Cedar Key. "We`re so excited to have such an acclaimed band play in our own back yard," says local volunteer Marci Wilcox. She adds, "Not only will we have a great musical event; we`ll help the Cedar Key School Art program."
Valerie grew up playing old-time fiddle and earned a degree in music education. She and her band took time to collaborate with the International Bluegrass Music Museum to work with students from dozens of elementary and secondary classrooms. Smith has a consistent touring schedule that takes her not only to major bluegrass festivals, but on cruises, to concert halls and performing arts centers and, since the turn of the century, to Europe, where she`s found a growing number of fans who appreciate an artistry that transcends genre labels. Valerie`s latest release-an innovative "Six Pack" short album of original songs was recorded live at the Bluegrass Music Museum. For a list of her other CDs, see her website http://www.valeriesmithonline.com. More on the band members:
Becky Buller is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who released "Rest My Weary Feet," a self-produced solo release for SRS Records. Becky was awarded first place in the bluegrass division of the 2001 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest in Wilksboro, N.C. Becky`s songs have also been recorded by Rhonda Vincent; Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver; Mark Newton; David Parmley and Continental Divide; the Kenny and Amanda Smith Band; and, most recently, IIIrd Tyme Out. Her second album, "Little Bird," was release in October 2004 and is available from Bell Buckle Records. Ernie Evans` musical seed was planted at age 12, inspired by his father and local musicians in Northwestern Ohio. Banjo soon became his primary instrument and veteran musicians quickly recognized him. Touched by the art of Jazz, he pursued guitar but never let go of bluegrass. He soon became a well-known jazz-grass guitarist performing festivals, nightclubs, radio and TV. He would later form his own group "Detour" and tour the United States, Canada and Europe performing a variety of show music including top 40, country and bluegrass. In August of 2001, he was introduced to legend fiddler "Vassar Clements" to sing and play mandolin. He was soon recognized by Valerie Smith and from there, there is no telling what the future holds. Ernie`s biggest inspirations are his family, playing with The Platters, Vassar Clements and now being a member of Liberty.
For more information contact Marci Wilcox at (813)215-0050.
Check out Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike on YouTube;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD0-EAMzM-c | 
