Students showing their stuff

Asheboro music instructor Tim Moon has so many students that it takes two nights to showcase all their talents. Held in Sunset Theatre, his first event took place on Oct. 20. Round two happened on Nov. 17 in the same location with three hours of talent on display.

“The November show was equally as good as first!,” Moon said. “The turnout was great, even the balcony was mostly full!”

The evening of music began with prelude music by The Sayers Family — all students of Moon and his teenage son, Nolan, who has begun working with them as well. The ensemble consisted of dad, Seth, on guitar; his daughters, 9-year-old Macy on mandolin and 15-year-old Brea on fiddle; and his 20-year-old son, Skylar, on banjo. They were joined by Nolan Moon on bass. From 6:30-6:45, they entertained with bluegrass gospel standards as attendees arrived for the talent showcase.

Then it was time to feature more youth:

— The McCarthur siblings, 20-year-old Emma on fiddle and 17-year-old Jack on guitar, with help from Nolan on banjo and Tim on guitar, performed “Oh, Atlanta”, “Bill Cheatum”, “Devil’s Dream” and “Walk on, Boy.”

— 15-year-old Elijah Kidd debuted on the banjo, picking “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” and “Dueling Banjos” while accompanied by Tim on guitar with Nolan playing bass. 

— The Cooper sisters, 12-year-old Abigail on mandolin and 10-year-old Elizabeth on fiddle, performing “Ode to Joy” and “I Saw the Light.”

— 16-year-old Will Fox joined the Moons to fiddle “Stairway to Heaven” and “Hallelujah.”

— 15-year-old Rebecka Bost made her singing/guitar debut doing “Tulsa Time”, “Same Old You” and “I Have Been Blessed.”

Next, Nolan’s student, 10-year-old Chase Lewis, debuted on guitar with “Boil Them Cabbage Down”, “Amazing Grace” and “Louie, Louie.”

Then Nolan was featured as he picked Tony Rice-inspired guitar with his dad on mandolin and vocals. The father/son duo performed “I Wonder Where You are Tonight.” Fiddler Drake Dunn, 12, then joined the Moons on stage for a couple of classic hoedowns, “Boil Them Cabbage Down” and “Angeline the Baker.”

 For his first solo performance singing and playing guitar, 15-year-old Liam Tysinger, accompanied by the instructors, performed “Silver Wings”, “This is Amazing Grace” and “Long Haired Country Boy.” He was followed by 12-year-old Katelyn Lucas featuring guitar work on “Wildwood Flower”, “Step It Up and Go” and “Tennessee Whiskey” with Tim. 

Then the Asheboro Hybrid Academy Middle School Band filled the stage and performed eight songs: “Smoke on the Water”, “Folsom Prison Blues”, “House of Rising Sun”, “Wagon Wheel”, “Hallelujah”, “Already Gone”, “Good, Good Father” and “Old Time Rock & Roll.” The band consisted of Meade Ainsworth (fiddle/piano and vocals on three numbers), Bethany Cagle (guitar) Addyson Rowe (piano), Ella Rowe (drums), Joslyn McLemore (fiddle), Brenigan Elia (drums), Tyler Kearns (guitar) and Addie Mae Lewis (guitar/piano) with help from AHA High School students Caleb Lucas on electric guitar and Nolan Moon on bass. Instructor Tim Moon led the ensemble with vocals and acoustic guitar.   

Up next was the Hayes family consisting of grandfather Tim on guitar and his grandsons, 12-year-old Arthur on mandolin/guitar and 9-year-old Alexander on bass. With Tim on guitar and Nolan on banjo, they played “Foggy Mountain Breakdown”, “Rocky Top”, “Folsom Prison Blues”  and “Run, Run Rudolph.”  Then Noah’s 11-year-old drum student, Tobyn Beshears, was featured on “Wipeout”. The youth then played “Sweet Home Alabama” and an original instrumental on guitar as he is also a guitar student of Tim’s.

Then it was time to feature adults. 

George Bowman picked banjo on “Sledd Ridin’” and “Blackberry Blossom.”

Greg Abernathy on guitar played a bluesy version of “This Little Light of Mine” and an original composition, “The Canterbury Blues.”

Next, 21-year-old Brandon Shepherd, a longtime student of Moon’s and no stranger to the stage, played electric guitar with help from Caleb Lucas on keyboard, Nolan on drums and Tim on electric bass. The quartet performed three numbers: “Boot Scootin' Boogie”, “The Thrill is Gone” and “Shagging on the Boulevard.” 

Last, but certainly not least, The Asheboro Hybrid Academy High School Band closed out the evening playing: “Peaceful Easy Feeling”, “Let it Be”, “Simple Man”, “Here I am to Worship” and “Freebird” with Tim doing the vocals on all five songs. The AHA High School Band performers of the night were: Caleb Lucas (electric guitar/keyboard), Nolan Moon (electric guitar/keyboard), Mason Smith (saxophone), Austin Elia (drums) and Johnny Gullion (electric bass). 

Tim Moon is an instructor at Evan’s Music Center, 1008 S Fayetteville Street, Asheboro. For details on lessons, call 336-629-4666.