An engaging veteran performer with strong chops on his instruments, and an obvious love for both students and the subject matter, Mr. Pettee presents NC Bluegrass music not as a niche folk music from the Appalachians, but as a global art form based on myriad influences from around the world, forged over time in the southern US. The shows include lively anecdotes and humor, and invite everyone to appreciate the depth and variety of folk music styles enjoyed by the peoples of NC from the Pilgrims to the present. Assembly programs are tailored for each grade to address NC Essential Standards for Middle School social studies. High School programs are best offered in an interactive seminar-type format, and are best suited for social studies, art, music, and creative writing students. All are encouraged to connect the sounds and styles of music with the cultures that lived in the Carolinas then and now, and to see how one culture has contributed to another to make great music for all.

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Artist Background

Raised in Asheville, NC, Charles Pettee, delights old & young alike with his tasty blend of original and traditional Southern string music seasoned at more than 5,500 performances throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. A founding member of both the world-traveling Shady Grove Band and FolkPsalm, he has recently completed his thirteenth full length CD/album. Mr. Pettee’s original songs receive airplay worldwide through radio, digital, and satellite transmissions. His love of southern string music is infectious, and his ability to connect with young people is well-established, making him a sought-after performer in educational settings for over twenty years. Mr. Pettee lives in Chapel Hill, NC with his wife and two sons.

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Search Criteria

• Discipline: Music
• Grade Level: High, Middle
• Program Type: Performance
• Cultural Context: African, African-American, European, Latinx
• Accepts bookings in Johnston County