In case you didn’t get to come to any of the Friday night concerts in Millrace Park this past summer, and just so you know, even when it rained those attending had a good time.
It was wonderful to gather in the park with friends and neighbors, visiting with each other, watching kids play on the nearby swings and slides and listening to music by local musicians. The Davisson Brothers Band brought the Friday night summer concerts in Millrace Park in Parsons to a grand conclusion this past Friday.
Performance Motors was a major sponsor of the event, along with the City of Parsons, Dollar General, McClain Printing, Mountain Valley Bank, Kidwells, Shop & Save, Triangle Heating and State Farm Insurance. Patrick Darlington of Performance Motors said, “The Friday night concerts in Millrace Park are a great community event for Parsons and Tucker County. I am so glad to be a part and I hope this continues to grow. I’m very pleased we could get a big attraction like the Davisson Brothers.”
Jason Myers was very excited about the excellent turnout for the event and said, “When I look out and see all these people in the park enjoying their community it makes me so happy. This is the most people I have ever seen in this park.” No official head count was done but Myers estimated that around 300 people were in Millrace Park having fun together at the last Friday concert.
The music was a rousing celebration of all things country, with a few new songs recently written by the Davisson Brothers only nine days before the concert! Donnie Davisson told the crowd the new songs were inspired by places like they find in Tucker County and were a tribute to us! Folks from young to old seemed to thoroughly enjoy the music with hand clapping, singing along (especially to “Take Me Home Country Roads”) and dancing near the stage!
Chris Davisson, who plays rhythm and lead guitar said, “When we got the call to come to Parsons we were very excited! We love everything about Tucker County, the hunting, the fishing, but most of all the people! Donnie Davisson, who leads the singing and plays rhythm guitar explained, “People are still the way they should be here in Parsons and Tucker County. We love it here and there is no prettier place, out of all the ones we’ve been to, than the mountains of West Virginia. We grew up in the country and don’t get to spend as much time there as we want so we love coming to Tucker County!”
According to the Davisson Brothers Band website, the brothers “have been playing together since childhood. It was only natural that cousin Sammy Davisson (bass guitar and vocals) and life long best friend Aaron Regester (drums) would join the band in 2006, making the band’s sound as true to their roots as country music can get.” “Aaron’s rock solid drumming and Sammy’s bass grove and flawless harmonies provide the perfect foundation for Donnie’s impassioned, soulful vocals and high energy stage presence. Chris’ signature, one-of-a kind guitar provides the mind-bending blend of bluegrass, country, and blues guitar, creating a sound unlike anything you’ve ever heard. Their lyrics and sound tell powerful stories of their family history and lifestyle…”.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, Kelly Pennington brought many Mountain Hospice volunteers in bright green shirts who made sure the kids had a great time playing games such as duck race, ring toss, Hoola Hoop toss, and at least a dozen more different games. Tickets were sold at 4 for $1 and were used for the games, raffles, a 50/50 drawing and a cake walk. Mountain Hospice also brought 1,500 prizes for the kids as well as selling food and drinks for the crowd. A table was set up at the entrance to the concert area with information about Mountain Hospice where folks were greeted by Lesha Edinger and Don Smith (he and his wife Barbara founded Mountain Hospice).
As one of the Mountain Hospice brochures said, “For more than 20 years, Mountain Hospice has provided quality care to patients and their families. Spreading across seven counties in North Central West Virginia, we are conveniently located to provide assisted health care to our region.” Mountain Hospice is an in-home program that “focuses on the relief of physical and emotional pain as well as other symptoms associated with advanced illness. Hospice also provides supportive care to meet the needs of patients and families, regardless of their ability to pay. Anyone can make a referral to Mountain Hospice.” At the end of the evening, beautiful memorial lanterns sold by Mountain Hospice were lit and sailed off into the darkness, lending poignancy to the merry celebration earlier in the evening.
Plans are already underway for next summer and suggestions for activities to add to the concerts, such as groups that want to do a chicken burn, sell baked goodies or sell their homemade crafts are welcome to contact Pam Ruediger at 304-532-3580 and get on the schedule now! Also, and most importantly, names and phone numbers of local musicians that could be asked to be part of the concert series will be greatly appreciated! Please consider coming out on Friday evenings next summer to beautiful Millrace Park, hear some wonderful music and enjoy being outside with your friends and neighbors!