April Verch brings whirlwind 2010 tour to BBQ Festival

TRYON, NC—April Verch begins the second half of what has become a whirlwind 2010 headlining at the Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival on Saturday, June 12.

A world-class fiddle player, champion stepdancer, acclaimed composer and unforgettable vocalist, Verch began the year performing at the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. From there, Verch took off on a tour of the western United States, a debut tour of Alaska, a performance at Sir Sean Connery’s “Dressed to Kilt” event in New York City as part of the show “Bowfire”—and now the Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival at Harmon Field in Tryon.

“She fills the stage with a voice that comes from the heavens and fiddle playing firmly rooted in the eclectic culture of Ontario’s Ottawa Valley, where she grew up,” says Peter Eisenbrown, the music producer for the Festival. In fact, her fiddle playing has been compared to Natalie McMaster, her voice to Alison Krauss.

Verch and her band take the stage at the Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival on Saturday, June 12 at 6 p.m. at Harmon Field in Tryon. Admission to the entire Festival—including all the live music—is just $7. In addition to April Verch and an incredible music line-up, festival-goers can enjoy watching 80 top cook teams compete for trophies and cash prizes, a juried craft show, kids activities, a whole lot of great barbecue for sale and much more. Gates open at 3 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. on Saturday.

The Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival is conducted annually under the auspices of the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce. Some of the proceeds from the Festival help support Chamber operations and any additional funds go to the Chamber Foundation to be returned to the community through grants to a variety of programs and projects throughout the county. Funds are generated by a modest admission fee, contestant entry fees and sponsorships.