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Gov. Easley Celebrates 2006 As Year Of Music With ‘N.C. In Tune’

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For more information contact Jill Warren Lucas at (919) 733-5612.


Raleigh - Gov. Mike Easley today announced that North Carolina will honor and promote the tradition of music in the state in 2006. As part of “N.C. In Tune,” the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources will spotlight Tar Heel music and musicians.

“Music enriches the state’s culture,” Easley said. “From the blues, gospel and Blue Ridge Mountain music traditions to classical sounds of the symphony, North Carolina has something to offer all music lovers. From the beaches to the mountains, natives and visitors can ‘tune-in’ to musical celebrations throughout 2006.”

While perhaps best known for its bluegrass, blues, and gospel traditions, North Carolina is also home to a thriving musical scene that includes jazz, contemporary, classical and Indie rock. The state boasts more than 1,200 music organizations, including 48 performing organizations dedicated to orchestral music. The N.C. Arts Council has supported music in all forms for more than 40 years by funding performance series, organizing showcases for musicians, and through composer and songwriter fellowships.

North Carolina music is a major attraction of cultural tourism, which remains the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry. Cultural travel accounts for up to 40 percent of tourism in the state and cultural travelers spend nearly twice as much as general travelers in North Carolina. As a way to attract more of these visitors, the “N.C. In Tune” celebration is featured on the 2006 State Transportation Map.

North Carolina music notables include James Taylor, Roberta Flack, John Coltrane, Doc Watson, Shirley Caesar, Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone, and Earl Scruggs. Among the newer names making a mark in popular music are Tift Merritt, Ryan Adams and Vaughn Penn.

There are many ways to celebrate “N.C. In Tune” this year. Visitors and residents can:

• Attend one of more than 170 concerts by the N.C. Symphony, a full-time professional orchestra. The N.C. Symphony was the first state-funded symphony orchestra in the United States and will celebrate its 75th year in 2006.

• Visit the mountains and enjoy a musical performance along the Blue Ridge Music Trail, a self-directed driving trail organized by the N.C. Arts Council that features more than 160 music sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Performance information can be found at www.blueridgemusic.org.

• Listen to some of the tens of thousands of CDs and read volumes about music, including North Carolina tunes, at one of the libraries across the state or the State Archives.

• Travel to one of North Carolina’s 27 Historic Sites that will feature more than 100 programs with authentic music throughout the year.

• Explore the state by using the state highway markers sponsored by the Office of Archives and History. Nine of the markers honor musicians and musical themes.

• Enjoy more than 20 concerts and programs that feature music at the N.C. Museums of Art and History.

For more information on music and cultural travel, including a calendar of events, photographs, and a list of famous North Carolina musicians, visit the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources at www.ncculture.com and click on the “N.C. In Tune” logo. To order a free copy of the 2006 State Transportation Map, call 1-877-DOT-4YOU toll free , or order online at http://apps.dot.state.nc.us/quickfind/Maps.

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