NC Music Day blends styles and technology
By John Joyce
Published in News on June 28, 2015 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
African American Music Trails of North Carolina project director and master of ceremonies Daryl Stover, left, welcomes the crowd and explains the importance of the rich music history of the Goldsboro area before the Youth of the African American Music Trails concert.
The threat of rain forced Friday night's free concert celebrating the youth voice of the African American Music Trail inside, but that didn't stop the music.
Organizers quickly moved the show from the gazebo of Herman Park to the Herman Park Center. The concert was one of three events held simultaneously in cities across the state.
Majesty Rose of American Idol fame, headlined the show, which was sponsored by the N.C. Arts Council, the Arts Council of Wayne County, the Goldsboro Department of Parks and Recreation and VISIT N.C., a Raleigh-based group dedicated to promoting tourism across the state.
In addition to the live music, thousands were also able to view the live stream of the event on Twitter via Periscope, a video streaming application for smartphones.
"This is just to feature music around the state and show people these places and why people might want to come visit," N.C. Arts Council spokesperson Rebecca Moore said.
But even with the unique presentation, the focus Friday was on the music -- and the African-American influence in this part of the state.
"They wanted to recognize the rich music history in North Carolina," she said.
A Drummer's World Drumline, led by mentor and percussionist Alando Mitchell, opened the show. The drumline is comprised of local youths ages 8 through 18 and practices out of the Wayne County Boys and Girls Club on Royall Avenue. Also slated to perform were the Eric Xavier Quartet featuring Brian Miller.
African American Music Trail project manager Darrell Stover of the N.C. Humanities Council said the premise behind the whole event centered around young people exploring their musical roots.
Stover is no stranger to Goldsboro, having first visited the city in 2008 while directing a program on behalf of the Smithsonian Institute.
While working on the Smithsonian exhibit, "New Harmonies: American Roots Music," Stover formed strong bonds with both Mitchell and with Sarah Merritt, director of the Arts Council of Wayne County.
It is why he wanted to make sure Wayne County was included in the African American Music Trails project.
"The total footprint of the African American Music Trail is in eight counties, including Wayne," Stover said. "We look at the fact that there are young people in each county keeping alive these African-American traditions."
Stover said the great musicians of the past -- Maceo Parker, Bill Myers, Ira Wiggins -- should feel proud that the culture and music they helped create are being carried on by a new generation.
Ms. Rose said she was excited to be a part of the event and hoped to inspire people who watched.
"If you work hard at something you can do anything," she said.
Ms. Rose, a self-described indie-pop musician, has been experimenting of late with new types of musical expression.
"My sound is changing. It is much more hard-hitting, gritty and electronic," she said.
The legacy of musicians past and those being forged by musicians present were also showcased in Waynesville and Rodanthe during the Periscope presentation.