SWEETWATER COUNTY — Richard Gilewitz, popular acoustic fingerstyle guitarist, Grammy nominated artist Tim May on guitar, banjo and mandolin, and violinist Gretchen Priest May will provide special Christmas music for the 10:30 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion on Sunday, December 18. On Saturday, December 17 at noon the group will join the “SBOCES Strings” in a performance at White Mountain Mall. The public is cordially invited to both events.
The group has just concluded an SBOCES sponsored residency as part of the SBOCES Artist in Residence program. They have been performing for Sweetwater County students throughout the week, including those at Desert School in Wamsutter.
In addition to touring worldwide, these leading performers and educators conduct hundreds of master classes, camps, workshops and clinics annually; this year they will be presenting a variety of programs and assemblies for students in schools throughout Sweetwater County. Richard Gilewitz has been termed “one of the most graceful fingerstyle guitarists on the contemporary acoustic scene.” He stands out in his command of both the six and twelve-string guitar. Couple this remarkable playing with Richard’s ‘tickle your funny bone’ offbeat humor, and an individual experiences a performance like none other!” Richard has appeared in concert with such artists as John Fahey, Leo Kottke, The Little River Band, Taj Mahal, John Hammond, America and Maria Muldaur, to name but a few. Making his home in Florida, Richard performs worldwide; he has released seven CD’s.
Tim May got his musical start playing banjo with his family band in his native Mississippi. He has been a part of the Nashville music scene for the past twenty years, where he has been a “Grand Ole Opry” regular. He plays an amazing variety of stringed instruments, and has toured with such music greats as Patty Loveless and John Cowan. He was the solo guitarist on the Charlie Daniels recording, I’ll Fly Away, for which he received a Grammy nomination. Tim and his wife, Gretchen Priest-May form the core of the musical group Plaidgrass, who has received rave reviews both touring and recording. A classically trained violinist, Gretchen brings a mix of Irish Celtic and Old Time music to the group. Tim and Gretchen tour extensively throughout the US and abroad; they make their home in Nashville, Tennessee.
