A recap of Tim Moon’s 2nd Talent Showcase

ASHEBORO — With so many talented students, Tim Moon and his teenage son, Nolan, held a second recital in the Sunset Theatre on Friday night, Nov. 21. The musical showcase featured 43 individual performers in 23 separate acts. Both Moons serve as musical instructors at Evans Music Center on South Fayetteville Street in Asheboro.

The night of eclectic music began with a prelude featuring the McArthur siblings, longtime student Emma on fiddle/vocals and Jack on guitar, joining the Moons for triple tunes that included a Christmas classic, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”

The showcase then began with the Hayes Brothers, Arthur, 14, on guitar and Alexander, 7, on bass, performing a trio of tunes before Arthur switched to mandolin to pick “Salt Creek” for their last song.

Next there was a special tribute to the late Harold Chriscoe, a well-known and beloved luthier and musician from Seagrove. Nolan picked a couple tunes — “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” and “Blackberry Blossom” — on a banjo built by Chriscoe.

Then 12-year-old Austin Goins took the stage to fiddle a couple of hymns. Next came the McGaugh twin sisters, Tynleigh, first on guitar, then Taylor followed on piano. Each performed two numbers on their respective instruments. They were followed by 6-year-old Jabe Harmon on fiddle who sawed away on two hymns.

The music switched to electric guitar with the father/son act of Rodney and Aaron Neal joining the Moons for a couple of rocking tunes. They were followed by David Bailey picking banjo on a Bill Monroe classic (“Big Mon”) and the hymn “What A Friend We Have in Jesus.” He was followed by another banjo student, Brayden Ceasaro, who was joined by his grandmother, Teresa Freeman, on mandolin to pick a couple of complicated tunes. 

The Bruce brothers, Ben on guitar and Sam on banjo, played a couple of gospel numbers. Then Randall Cornelison and his granddaughter, Kaleigh Archer, played guitars on a trio of songs. They were followed by 17-year-old Liam Tysinger on guitar and vocals as he belted out 

“Freeborn Man”, “No Stranger to the Rain” and “Mary, Did You Know.”

Joe Weaver then exhibited his talents by playing three different instruments (mandolin, guitar and banjo) consecutively on “Old Joe Clark” while the Moons, Tim on guitar and Nolan on bass, filled in while he switched instruments. Kaiden Swain followed playing guitar on a couple of songs.

Then the Asheboro Hybrid Academy Band, comprised of middle and high school students, took the stage. The musical ensemble featured: Adnera Futtrell on keyboard; Meade Ainsworth, Laylah Williams, and Sabrina and Stella Holmaguist on fiddles; Bethany Cagle and Daniel Futtrell on guitars; Joseph Goad on bass; and David Futtrell on drums. Tim accompanied on guitar and Nolan on drums. The band performed numerous numbers, featuring Meade Ainsworth on vocals. 

Next, a couple of tunes were picked separately by Madelyn Teague on banjo, followed by Michael Oats on mandolin. Then the Cooper sisters, Abigail on fiddle and Liz on bass, were joined by their grandfather, Henry, on guitar to perform a trio of tunes.

Tobyn Beshears played electric guitar on a couple of songs with Tim. Then it was back to acoustic when Greg Abernathy flat picked a couple of guitar tunes. 

Jennifer Purvis followed on mandolin and then Ezra Woods was featured on guitar. Nine-year-old Evelyn West debuted on guitar with her first showcase appearance performing “Should Have Been A Cowboy.”

The last act of the evening was Tey Murphy on guitar performing a couple of country classics: “They Call Me The Fireman” and “Living on Love.”

Tim and Nolan Moon will be featured with their band, True Grass, at the Sunset Theatre on Friday, Dec. 19, for their annual Christmas show.