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Davidson Express is (from left): Sherman Campbell, David Conner, Daphne Fruchtman, John Wertheimer, Cameron Swallow, and Tony Hoover.

The fourth season of Mooresville Concerts will open this Saturday night, Oct. 9, and organizers have turned to Davidson for the opening act. The six-member group Davidson Express, whose members are from throughout the area, plays a mix of bluegrass and original music, and recently produced their first recording, titled “Yuppie Hootennany.”

Saturday’s concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Charles Mack Citizens’ Center in downtown Mooresville. (Ticket information below.)

Davidson Express describes itself as an acoustic combo performing a blend of traditional bluegrass standards and original compositions. Their shows include fine instrumental picking, multipart harmonies, and Davidson songwriter (and bassist) John Wertheimer’s new melodies crafted with witty, insightful lyrics. It’s “bluegrass with a New South twist,” they say.

“We keep what I hope is a creative tension between new material and a traditional bluegrass sound, and collection of songs,” said Cameron Swallow of Davidson, a vocalist and guitarist in the group.

Besides Ms. Swallow and Mr. Wertheimer the group includes banjo player David Conner. Mr. Conner, along with Ms. Swallow and Mr. Wertheimer, formed a group called the Schoolhouse String Band in 2001, built around his bluegrass banjo sound. The trio and that sound remains at the heart of of Davidson Express.

The band also includes Tony Hoover (mandolin), who grew up in Iredell County surrounded by gospel harmony, and he has been singing in public since the age of six. Fiddler Sherman Campbell of Davidson has been playing his instrument since the early 1970s, and joined the group in the fall of 2006. vocalist Daphne Fruchtman is the newest member. She graduated from Davidson College in 2009 with a degree in history and is currently in the midst of her second year as Fellow for the Music Department. An avid choir geek since the age of 8, she made the leap to bluegrass shortly after trading in her Minnesota snow boots for sandals 5 years ago.

Davidson Express recently released their first album, a CD of live recordings of bluegrass traditionals and Mr. Wertheimer’s songs. They’ll be selling those at the concert Saturday, for $8.

The concert series is produced by the Town of Mooresville Recreation Department and offers a variety of musical experiences during the year. Organizers say their goal is to provide a community-based, affordable musical experience to families in Mooresville and surrounding towns. Each concert is followed by a reception.

Other performances in the season ahead will include the Charlotte-based Testostertone on Nov. 13; the popular Cockman Family for a Christmas program on Dec. 19, playing their original songs and arrangements of old gospel songs; and Bayou Diesel for a Mardi Gras celebration on Feb. 12, 2011. March and April concerts will be announced at a later date. For announcements, request to join the email list at mooresvilleconcerts@mi-connection.com. ^[2]

WANT TO GO?

Davidson Express plays the Mooresville Concert Series Saturday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m., Charles Mack Citizens Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville. Tickets are $10 adults general admission, $5 students, children under 10 free. Season passes are also available, for $45. Available at the citizens center or by phone 704-662-3334. Tickets will also be available at the door. More info about Davidson Express: www.davidsonexpress.net ^[3]