Free Concert with Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers
This free concert will be held at Krepp's Park at the upper pavilion. Hailing from the mountain towns of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland, The Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers draw freely from Old-Time, Bluegrass, Rockabilly, and Swing music to create their own brand of high energy, Appalachian Bluegrass. As an offshoot of a former project, The Weedrags, JFS was formed by Gary Antol (Songwriter/Guitar/Vocals) and Libby Eddy (Fiddle/Vocals) in 2014 with a very simple goal: write good songs, have fun, and take it to the road. In the time since, JFS has appeared at festivals from New England to Florida and played club dates from the eastern seaboard to the west coast. In 2015, the band released their debut album, The Lane Change, a collection of both original and traditional songs focusing on journeys through personal relationships as well as life in the coal mining towns of central Appalachia. The album was well received by fans and critics alike. “Mannington #9,” a searing tale of lives lost in a 1968 mining disaster in Mannington, WV, was featured in the Relix Magazine 2015 Summer CD Sampler. Written by West Virginia storyteller and old-time musician, Keith McManus, the song’s driving rhythm and haunting melody capture the loss suffered by 78 families in this tragic accident. The Lane Change also featured the powerhouse harmonies of Antol and Eddy on titles such as “No Ash Will Burn” and “Blue Diamond Mines.”The Morgantown Board of Parks and Recreation (BOPARC) is committed to providing a quality system of parks, trails, facilities and programs that enhance our community and the well-being of our residents. Bring chairs or blankets to sit on and enjoy this free concert.