ELIZABETHTON — Warm and beautiful weather greeted the first day of Covered Bridge Days on Friday. The day began with the opening of Kids Island, the craft and food vendors and the touch a truck event on Elk Avenue Bridge at 11 a.m.
and closed with Daniel Grindstaff, along with some of his heroes and friends, performing on the Covered Bridge Stage late into Friday night. Master of Ceremonies David Miller introduced the headline act for Friday night by reminding the audience that Grindstaff is a local man who has made good in the music world. Miller emphasized the point by saying that next Thursday at the 35th annual Bluegrass Music Awards of the International Bluegrass Music Association, Grindstaff is up for two top awards for his version of “Forever Young” with Paul Brewster and Dolly Parton.
It is nominated for Song of the Year and for Collaborative Recording of the Year. Grindstaff was accompanied on Friday night by Kent Blanton, an upright bass player in Nashville; Derek Deakins, a fiddler and vocalist from Kingsport; Shawn Lane of Blue Highways on the mandolin and vocals; Kevin Richardson of North Carolina on the guitar and vocalist; and percussionist Landy Ewing. Prior to the performance by Grindstaff and his friends, the audience enjoyed performances by Hi-Test Bluegrass and by Stemwinder.
Kids Island was once again a popular place. Kelly Kitchens, Program and Special Events coordinator for the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department, said schools were out on.