Old Mill Road String Band at the Old Courthouse in Blairsville

Performing in concert in the old courtroom of The Old Courthouse on the Square in Blairsville will be the Old Mill Road String Band. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 20.

Old Mill Road String Band is an exciting bluegrass band from Cartersville, GA, in the Northwest Georgia Mountains. Band members describe their music as "songs you know, with a bluegrass twist". They'll entertain you with bluegrass entwined with sounds of folk, country, pop and rock.

Brad Payne, guitar, has played guitar since he was 14, starting performing music with the Southstar Band in Gatlinburg, TN. His influences are country and bluegrass. Brad Burel, mandolin, has been playing for 20 years. He has previously played with the Peavine Bluegrass Band in Atlanta and played at Six Flags for five years. Sheryl McDonald, fiddle, began playing violin when she was 12, and started fiddle lessons in high school.

Rarely is she seen without a fiddle in hand, playing some kind of music. Stan Pinion, bass, is Old Mill Road's most recent member. In addition to performing with the Black Top Ramblers, Stan is known for starting the Acworth Opry. You'll also see him running the sound system for both the Marietta and Peach Blossom Bluegrass Festivals.

All four band members work for the Cartersville School System. When they discovered each other's talent, it was only natural to meet after work and pick a few tunes.

Old Mill Road String Band first performed in Blairsville during the SEBA birthday festival last year. They truly enjoyed playing in Blairsville, and, according to comments from many of the patrons they were really enjoyed.

The summer concerts are presented by the Union County Historical Society as a public service and to keep alive the tradition of music in the Old Courthouse.

There is no required admission charge. The musicians donate their time and talents. Voluntary donations to the maintenance fund are always welcomed and appreciated.