Rutherford Weekly

Thursday, December 27, 2018-January 2, 2019 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 17 Banner-News Funny Paper FUNDAY MORNING By BRAD DILLER TUNDRA by CHAD CARPENTER CRANKY GIRL by Crystal Jones LOOSE PARTS By DAVE BLAZEK "well... I finally got us on line. let's check out this google thing everyone keeps talking about." EEK! by SCOTT NICKEL PICKLES by BRIAN CRANE Amazin' Funny Page TOMMY HICKS Rutherford Weekly Sudoku Answers on page 23 If there's one thing that award-winning acoustic band Nu-Blu knows how to do, its turn heads with their powerful music. In the last year alone, the 4 time Billboard Top 10 artists have performed coast- to-coast. Their current album Vagabonds has not disappointed fans, landing them 4 songs on the radio charts, with "640 Battlefi eld Drive" reaching the #1 spot. Fans can catch them appearing in Valdese alongside Country Music Hall of Fame Statler Brothers singer Jimmy Fortune. Chances are that you have heard and seen Nu-Blu before, with the band being featured on CBS "Sunday Morning," making high profi le appearances on Fox News, Huckabee, and Imus in the Morning, along with hosting of the nationally syndicated TV program "Bluegrass Ridge" and Bluegrass Ridge Radio which airs in 60 million homes both here in the US and internationally in the UK and New Zealand. Nu-Blu, based in Siler City in central North Carolina, is comprised of Carolyn Routh, who handles bass and vocals; Zach McCraken on banjo; Justin Harrison, who plays mandolin; and Daniel Routh, who is the band's Renaissance Man – guitarist, singer, manager, and tour coordinator, among many other roles. The group brings its music to audiences across the nation year-round. Their sound acknowledges the traditional institutions that have shaped it, yet is innovative and daring enough to bring a fresh sparkle to contemporary acoustic music that lands them squarely in the forefront of bands blazing the trail in Americana entertainment. Infl uences range from the sounds of original bluegrass pioneers like Earl Scruggs, Jimmy Martin and The Stanley Brothers, to rock bands of the 1980's, and modern contemporary sounds such as Alison Krauss and Union Station. Nu-Blu's live show will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, and that's how they like it! "We want to reach folks on an emotional level," says Carolyn , "it's important to us, whether it's a song we are recording, or a cover we decide to put in the live show that we have an emotional attachment to that song. That's the only way you can truly pour yourself into your performance." This is evident in the rave reviews of the band, and the high profi le collaborations that Nu-Blu has done over the years. Singing duets with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, the soul man Sam Moore of Sam and Dave, Country Music Hall or Fame member Jimmy Fortune, and Grammy winning Rhonda Vincent, Carolyn has found a place for herself in the company of vocal giants. When asked about the best part of touring, guitarist Daniel Routh commented "There's lot of hard work in this job, and hours of work and travel that folks don't see when we are up on stage. But when you're up there, and into the show, and you look out and see someone dancing, or laughing, or patting their foot, you and that person are creating a moment. And that moment is something that they may carry with them the rest of their lives, that's what it's all about. We all have the best jobs in the world, and that's to make people smile!" In addition to touring the country steadily, Nu-Blu is also gearing up for the release of their upcoming DVD, "The Stories We Can Tell." As details continue to emerge, fans can keep up with the latest news by visiting the group's offi cial website nu-blu.com. TV Hosts & Top 10 Billboard Artist Nu-Blu Brings Tour To Valdese Featuring Statler Brothers Singer Jimmy Fortune Vagabonds Tour, coming to Old School Rock Auditorium Jan. 18 Article Provided By: Kyle Watson

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