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.

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

MONDAY, AUG. 16

MI-Connection/town boards meeting, 6 p.m., Mooresville Town Hall, 413 N. Main St., Mooresville – Special meeting of the MI-Connection Communications System board of directors and the town boards of Mooresville and Davidson, which own the system. The MI-Connection board requested the meeting to review the system’s history and current status and to discuss planned community marketing efforts. Residents and taxpayers are also encouraged to attend. More information: www.mi-connection.com

Davidson women’s soccer, 6 p.m., Davidson College Alumni Stadium – Davidson women’s soccer vs. Liberty (exhibition).

TUESDAY, AUG. 17

Davidson Provisional Rotary Club meeting, 5 p.m., Sabi Asian Bistro, Harbour Place, off I-77 Exit 30 – Fifth meeting of the Provisional Davidson Rotary Club. Guest speaker: Deborah Bowen, on the Rotary Five Avenues of Service. District 7680 Rotary Website.

Main St. Readers book discussion, 7 p.m., Main Street Books, 126 S. Main St. – Main Street Readers book discussion of “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. Free and open to the public. Info: 704-892-6841.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 18

Davidson College freshmen begin arriving for orientation. Full orientation schedule on the college website.

Senior Luau fund-raiser, 10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m., Senior Center, The River Church, 18731 West Catawba Avenue – Reduced price tickets ($10) are still available for the North Mecklenburg Senior Center Hawaiian Luau Fundraiser. Tickets will also be sold for $15 at the door. The luau includes food, games, entertainment, a bake sale and a silent auction, and is open to everyone in the community. All proceeds will go towards creating new programs for the benefit of the older adults in the community. To purchase tickets, call Joanne Ahern at 704-892-4041.

Open Mic Night, 8-10 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Open mic night. Info: 704-895-9090.

THURSDAY, AUG. 19

Davidson College freshman registration and other events, schedule here.

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Summit Songwriters in the Round. Info: 704-895-9090.

FRIDAY, AUG. 20

Davidson College freshman orientation Farewell Lunch for parents and students, 12:30 p.m., Chambers lawn. Day continues with other events including a class picture (5:30 p.m., Richardson Stadium) and Freshman Olympics (7 p.m., Baker Sports Complex).

Cannon football vs. N. Raleigh, 7 p.m., Cannon School, 5801 Poplar Tent Road, Concord – Cannon School hosts its first-ever home football game, vs. North Raleigh Christian Academy. Details in our July 22 article, “Cannon School’s new football team ready to take the field.”

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Perry Fowler. Info: 704-895-9090.

SATURDAY, AUG. 21

Davidson Farmers’ Market, 8 a.m. to noon, off Main Street next to Town Hall – Weekly Davidson Farmers Market, with local farmers and vendors selling meats, produce, dairy products, baked goods, and other items. Open every Saturday. For more information: www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org. DavidsonNews.net is pleased to be a sponsor of the Davidson Farmers Market.

Freshman Orientation Service Walk, 9 a.m., Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – Davidson College’s 6th annual Freshman Orientation Service Walk through town. Students get town facts and history and information about the year’s “Engage for Change” theme. This year’s theme is “Economic Opportunity.” Walk begins 9:45, followed by noon CROP Lunch at the College Union. Details on other orientation events today on the college website.

Bluegrass Saturday concert, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cornelius Presbyterian Church, West Catawba Avenue and Church Street (21209 Catawba Ave.) in Cornelius – Free bluegrass concert with Davidson Express. Also, barbecue, baked goods and craft sale. For more information, contact the church office at 704-892-5577 or email carld@bellsouth.net See also our series preview, CLICK HERE>

Davidson men’s soccer, 7 p.m., Alumni Stadium, Davidson College – Men’s soccer vs N.C. State University exhibition game.

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: TBA. Info: 704-895-9090.

SUNDAY, AUG. 22

Davidson Freshman Orientation continues with events all day, including Honor Code and Code of Responsibility Commitment Ceremonies at 7 p.m. in student residence halls.

Davidson women’s soccer, 2 p.m., Davidson College Alumni Stadium – Davidson women’s soccer vs. Wilmington.

The lineup includes a lot of local musical favorites: Rusty Knox Band, Angelo Melendez, Davidson Express, Mike Strauss Band, and Billy Jones and The Pocket.

Billy Jones and The Pocket.

Donations will be accepted at the concert, or  online at cfmt.org.

Bring a picnic, a blanket, a Frisbee, your dog and a few dollars to the Green and hear some good music for a good cause.

More on Facebook.

Davidson Local is Sherman Campbell (fiddle), Daphne Fruchtman (vocals), Oscar Huerta (saxophone), Cameron Swallow (vocals), John Swallow (vocals, percussion), and John Wertheimer (guitar, vocals). With special guests: Sena Addo, David Boraks, Pamela Cisneros, Billy Powers, Shelley Rigger, Durwin Striplin, and Ruth Swallow.

To get you in the mood, here’s a recording of Mr. Wertheimer’s “DavidsonNews.net Song” from 2007.

The Second Annual “Bluegrass Concert Saturdays in August” begins Aug. 8 with the Griggs Bluegrass Family. Davidson’s Rusty Knox performs Aug. 15. Davidson Express is on the stage Aug. 22 and it’s the Dixie Pharaohs up on Aug. 29.
 
Admission is free, donations accepted. Food and beverages will be on sale, and the Church Art Group will be displaying their work in Wayland Center Aug. 15 and Aug. 22

The Church art group will be displaying their work in the Wayland Center
 on Aug 15. and Aug 22. Noted Artist Ron Weidele will be displaying his work. Other craft items and jewelry will be for sale.
 
For additional information call 704-892-5577.