Cumberland County Playhouse prepares for Silver Cornet Band

It has long been said that when Mr. Jack Daniels’ Silver Cornet Band performs, it’s more than just a concert. It’s like the town of Lynchburg comes to call. On Fri., July 1 at the Cumberland County Playhouse, ticket holders will get to experience that feeling at the band’s 4 p.m. or 8 p.m. concert.

The Silver Cornet Band is a painstaking reconstruction of the actual band founded and funded back in 1892 by Lynchburg’s famous distiller himself, Mr. Jack Daniels. Known to PBS audiences as far back as 1978, the Silver Cornet Band plays the popular music of the “turn of the century”, an echo from another era. Not rock, not country, not Dixieland, or “big” band. This is a band based on historical fact.

“This is such an experience for anybody of any age,” said Buster Irvin, concert administrator at the Playhouse. “This is a gentle band, good humored, happy sounding, so much fun to watch — so unique,” he said. “After years of national tours, the appeal is as strong as ever. Audiences are charmed by this friendly bunch of costumed characters from the early days in Lynchburg. There is the crusty ‘Perfessor,’ the dazzling musicianship, and the impeccable taste of these artists making ‘silver cornet history’. If this is your first exposure to Mr. Jack Daniel’s Original Silver Cornet Band, we envy you the experience,” he said.

“The moment the spidery white gazebo and the homey Tennessee front porch rocking chair appear, turn-of-the-century Lynchburg, TN seems to amble in and spin a time warp on your senses,” said Irvin. “You can almost smell the fresh-cut hay. Somewhere a screen door creaks and slams. A distant dog barks. Peach cobbler has been set on the windowsill at Mrs. Bobo’s to cool. The blacksmith’s anvil rings and the band begins to play?that’s how it feels,” said Irvin.

The Playhouse didn’t stop with the Silver Cornet Band for the 4th of July weekend. On the shady grounds of the Playhouse, in connection with the 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. performances Big Boy’s Barbeque will be served from 2:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Bodacious Barbecue Benefit sponsored by the Playhouse Volunteers which are over 300 strong. Proceeds benefit the Playhouse Volunteer Committee and its many projects which support the work of the Playhouse. “It’s a perfect way to celebrate our 40th Anniversary and the nation’s 229th birthday,” said Irvin.

Tickets are on sale now for both the concert and the barbecue by calling the box office at 931-484-5000. Buying barbecue tickets ahead offers a savings prior to the day of the show. www.ccplayhouse.com