| Southern Accent |  | | Bluegrass Gospel |
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Southern Accent, a regionally-known and well-loved bluegrass gospel group from Watauga and Avery counties of Western North Carolina, strives to take traditional and contemporary gospel songs and hymns and add a smooth bluegrass flavor to praise and honor the Lord, Jesus Christ. Their mission is to sing and play their instruments as a ministry to send out the message of the Good News of the Gospel.
After having their beginnings in the mid-90s, Southern Accent has continued to tastefully present their music in the High Country and surrounding regions in churches and family-oriented atmospheres for over a decade-and-a-half. They have appeared at the annual MusicFest 'n Sugar Grove (formerly Doc Watson Appreciation Days) in Sugar Grove, NC, since its beginning (1997-current); festivals in the Todd Community of NC; the Grayson Highlands Festival in VA; the Paramount Theater in Bristol, TN; the Wayne Henderson Festival in VA; the High Country Bluegrass Festival in Boone, NC; the historic Rex Theater in Galax, VA; Concerts on the Lawn at the Jones House in Boone, NC; etc. Southern Accent has had frequent performances at the Hometown Opry in Wilkesboro, NC and also the popular Gospel Melodies program on the Mountain Television Network out of Boone, NC. They opened for Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver in 2003 at the Ashe Civic Center in West Jefferson, NC, and felt privileged to have been invited to share the stage with one of the most influential individuals in bluegrass and bluegrass gospel music.
Another great honor was the personal invitation from Doc Watson to perform at his huge 80th birthday celehration at the Walker Center in Wilkesboro, NC, in the spring of 2003. Joining the Nashville Bluegrass Band, T. Michael Coleman, Richard Watson, David Holt, Jerry Douglas, Charles Welch, and Doc Watson on stage for "Happy Birthday" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" was a blessing. In 2004, Merlefest invited the group to perform for their Sunday gospel concerts. Even since then, Southern Accent has performed at inumerable venues and churches.
Southern Accent has 4 recordings available: Songs of Faith, Love & Life ; On A Journey ; Steppin' Out On Faith ; and Listen to the Word. Their popular recordings The Hills of Glory,The Road Less Traveled, and Savior, Lord, and Guide are no longer available. You can find out more about our recordings on the link above titled "Music."
Also, Southern Accent hosts the well-attended Annual Fellowship Celebration on the Saturday after Mother's Day in May. Click on link titled, "Fellowship Celebration," above for more information on the 10th Annual Fellowship Celebration in 2011.
Although this group is a little under two decades old, the members have made music a part of their lives from early ages. Drawing on the rich heritage of music in the area, the legacy of past and present bluegrass artists, their own musical interpretations, and love for the Lord and music, Southern Accent has developed their own unique and easily-recognizable sound. Southern Accent's mutual respect for each other is reflected in the tightness of their music and the valued relationships they hold with one another as close friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. The members include: Dennis Isaacs, Paulette Isaacs, Connie Norris, Leonard Arnold and Jimmy Kerley (click on "The Group" link above for biographies on the individual members) - each contribute greatly to the group with their talent, their time, and the uncompromising commitment to uphold the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
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