The HillBenders to perform bluegrass version of The Who’s ‘Tommy’

Description

EMORY, Va. – Nationally known bluegrass band The HillBenders will perform a benefit concert at Emory & Henry College on June 24 as part of the Niswonger Children’s Hospital Classic. The Classic, which is Mountain States Foundation’s largest fundraiser to support Niswonger Children’s Hospital, is a 10-day series of events spread out across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. For the first time, the Classic is hosting a concert at Emory & Henry College to allow more people to participate in supporting the region’s only children’s hospital. Proceeds from the concert – like all the events in the Classic – benefit the hospital. “We’re so grateful for the community’s support and excited to bring even more events to the area for folks to enjoy,” said Lisa Carter, CEO of Niswonger Children’s Hospital. “The HillBenders are going to put on a great show for a great cause and we hope everyone comes out to watch them.” The HillBenders will perform an all-acoustic rendition of The Who’s classic rock-opera album “Tommy.” The band replicates the hit songs in a bluegrass tribute with banjo, mandolin and dobro. They were featured in Rolling Stone magazine among the “50 Best Things We Saw at SXSW 2015” as “Best Bluegrass Who: The HillBenders.” SXSW is the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, one of the nation’s most acclaimed music and film festivals. The magazine called them “a talented five-piece band from Missouri that proved to be the perfect group to execute this ‘Whograss’ concept.” The band has also been featured in Billboard Magazine. “The HillBenders present Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry” will be in the McGlothlin Center for the Arts; doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on June 24. To purchase tickets, visit www.NiswongerGolf.org/The-HillBenders. Tickets are on sale now and start at $40.