Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 7 p.m., in the church sanctuary.
Dr. Karl Campbell, Professor of History, Appalachian State University, will present “The Roaring 20s in North Carolina.” The 1920s are remembered as a time of contrasts. New inventions such as the automobile, airplane, radio, and motion pictures--and new ideas from scholars like Freud, Marx, and Darwin--stimulated a generation of modern scholars, writers, artists and even flappers. But the 1920s also marked a period of growing conservatism. Many Americans fought to defend traditional values through the anti-evolution movement, the rise of fundamentalism, prohibition, and the rebirth of the K.K.K. Dr. Karl Campbell will discuss the roaring twenties in North Carolina by analyzing three specific events: the politics of Governor Cam Morrison, changes in courtship practices (dating), and the fight over teaching Darwinism.
Tuesday, July 2 , 7 p.m., Church Sanctuary
Dr. Jim Goff, a scholar of American religious history at Appalachian State University, will present “Elvis and Religion.”
Dr. Goff will discuss Elvis Presley’s complicated and contradictory relationship with his Christian faith. Elvis was raised as a member of the Assemblies of God Church and was enamored by the rhythms and the message of gospel music. His earliest musical heroes were gospel singers, both Black and White. As his musical career took off, Elvis was both influenced and haunted by the decidedly evangelical and Pentecostal strictures of his youth. Despite his hedonistic lifestyle, he never completely abandoned his Christian beliefs. On the day of his untimely death in 1977, Elvis was reading a book titled A Scientific Search for the Face of Jesus and listening to a Christian album by the Stamps Quartet titled “Sweet, Sweet Spirit.”
This presentation is free and open to the public; donations will be gratefully accepted
Tuesday, July 16, 7 p.m., Church Sanctuary
Bobby Taylor and The Jazz Kings will be performing selections from The Great American Songbook. This group of world class musicians will honor the legacy of composer Hoagy Carmichael, by performing several of his timeless compositions. Also included will be the performance of a number of other jazz standards! The band, with members hailing from Hilton Head and Rock Hill, SC, to Hickory and Boone to Elizabethton, TN, will come together to combine their individual and unique talents for this concert! They will also be joined by Crossnore native Maggie Lauterer, vocalist!
Tuesday, July 30, 7 p.m., Church Sanctuary
Dr. Karl Campbell, Professor of History, ASU, and Jackie Rullman, 2023 ASU Graduate, will present “Divided America: History, Stories, and Music of the 1960s.” Few decades evoke stronger emotions, and opinions, than the 1960s. It was a time during which many Americans feared that the traditional American consensus was breaking apart. Civil rights, Vietnam, feminism, student protests, assassinations, riots, and a counterculture of “drugs, sex, and rock and roll” all contributed to divisions in our politics, our churches, and our families. Dr. Karl Campbell will provide an overview of the 60s and share some stories and historical interpretations. Jackie Rullman will sing and analyze some of the iconic songs from this troubled decade. Together they will suggest ways in which the 1960s continues to impact American society today.
Tuesday, September 17, 7 p.m., Church Sanctuary (to be confirmed)
The Shelby Rae Moore Band features Shelby Rae Moore along with her uncles Brent and Chet Palmer on guitars; Devon Burch plays drums. Having grown up in a musical family, Shelby has the uncommon ability to move effortlessly between genres including blues, soul, and Americana. She has an undeniable connection with every song she performs. Brent Palmer creates most of the harmonic texture with his acoustic guitar arrangements while Chet colors the ensemble with tasteful fills and brilliant lead guitar playing. Devon drives the rhythm on drums and always playing with just the right feel for each style of music.
