The White Horse Celebrates Five Years in Black Mountain on Jan. 10

Press release

In its five years of operation at the heart of Black Mountain the White Horse has made a lot of friends who appreciate its listening room ambiance, eclectic mix of local, regional and national talent, and its commitment to the community. Some of the Horse’s musical friends will on hand on Friday, January 10 at 8:00 pm to celebrate five years of a sometimes wild but always interesting ride.

The White Horse Black Mountain is the vision of Asheville native and music industry jack-of-all trades Bob Hinkle and Kim Hughes. After years of living in New York the couple moved to Black Mountain to establish a venue where music lovers could hear a creatively curated mix of musical styles in a relaxed, intimate atmosphere that nurtures a close connection between artist and audience. Fate decreed that the opening of the White Horse coincided with the start of the ongoing recession, but the management team, volunteers, listeners and artists have persevered to help the club become a listening room that regularly tops local polls as a place to hear music and a business that gives back to the community.

All the musicians on hand for the five year milestone celebration have been regular performers at the White Horse. Southern Appalachian multi-instrumentalist singer and storyteller David Holt will perform a solo set featuring his expert musicianship and folksy, humorous delivery. The versatile Holt is a much-loved performer and recording artist, respected folklorist, and a veteran host of roots-oriented radio and TV broadcasts.

Masterful pianist Michael Jefry Stephens is well known to White Horse habitués through his many performances with various jazz lineups over the past few years. He’s been a constant in the well-attended series of jazz concerts hosted by the White Horse while maintaining a busy career in the Asheville area and beyond.

Hickory-based Irish duo The Belfast Boys are noted poet Adrian Rice on vocals, mandolin and bodhran and Alyn Mears on vocals, guitar and whistle. Together they deliver freshly imagined versions of Irish traditional music and original songs shaped by their experiences growing up in Northern Ireland.

Although Bob Hinkle and Kim Hughes spend much of their time attending to White Horse business they’re both accomplished performers. Bob’s skill set includes professional experience as a songwriter, singer and guitarist, while Kim is the owner of a glorious soprano voice. They’ll take the stage to celebrate five years of bringing fine music to patrons of the White Horse, along with more performers yet to be confirmed.

Show starts at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, $15 for students with ID. Advance ticket sales online at whitehorseblackmountain.com