Hickory-based duo The Belfast Boys (Alyn Mearns and Adrian Rice) return to The Whote Horse Black Mountain on Friday, June 12.
Press release from the venue:
The name of Hickory-based musical duo The Belfast Boys is both poetically evocative and literal. Alyn Mearns and Adrian Rice spent their formative years in the capital of a bitterly divided Northern Ireland during the tumultuous times known as “The Troubles”. In tandem, they’ve shaped their experiences into music and lyrics that feel both timelessly Irish and completely contemporary. The White Horse favorites return to the venue on Friday, June 12 at 8 p.m. for an evening of traditional and original songs, witty stories and poetry.
The Belfast Boys had their start when Alyn Mearns (guitar, whistle and vocals) and Adrian Rice (mandolin, bodhran and vocals) recognized each others’ Belfast accents in a Hickory book shop. Rice, a highly regarded published poet, had been a writer-in-residence at Lenoir-Rhyne University, married a Tarheel and settled in Hickory. Not surprisingly, he’s also a raconteur in the grand Irish tradition. It’s a short step from poetry to lyrics, and it wasn’t long before the two Belfastmen were performing together. Mearns, a classically trained guitarist who came to North Carolina for college and stayed, creates dazzlingly orchestral accompaniments that interweave with Rice’s mandolin, lending freshness even to familiar material. He’s also an inspired singer and songwriter who’s created a buzz with a CD original songs released under the name Yes the Raven.
Show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 advance/$15 door.
Tickets available online at http://www.whitehorseblackmountain.com
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.