A-State’s Blue Grass Monday Concert To Feature Jim Hurst
JONESBORO, Ark. — Jim Hurst will perform a concert of bluegrass music on Monday, April 28, at 7 p.m. at the Collins Theatre, 120 West Emerson Street, in downtown Paragould, Ark. The concert is part of the Bluegrass Monday concert series presented by KASU 91.9 FM.
Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Hurst began playing guitar at age four. Introduced to bluegrass music as a youngster by his father, Hurst developed a style influenced by guitarists Tony Rice and Doc Watson. His music evolved as he heard the diverse sounds of guitarists such as Jerry Reed, Merle Travis and Chet Atkins.
After high school, Hurst held a variety of full-time jobs while playing many different styles of music in local bands. In 1988, he moved to Nashville, Tenn., to pursue music as a career. His big break came when he was hired by country singer Holly Dunn to be in her band. His first gig with Dunn was performing at the Grand Ole Opry.
Following his work with Dunn, Hurst played in the touring band of country superstar Trisha Yearwood in the early 1990s, and he also worked with country singer Sara Evans, appearing as a vocalist and guitarist on one of her CDs.
In 1995, Hurst began a 15-year stint performing in the band of acclaimed bluegrass vocalist Claire Lynch. On the side, he and Lynch’s bassist Missy Raines formed a duo that recorded two acclaimed CDs and toured bluegrass venues. While in collaboration with Raines, Hurst was twice named “Guitar Player Of The Year” by the International Bluegrass Music Association.
In 2010, Hurst started a solo career, recording three CDs of his own. He now tours and performs one-man shows, showcasing his expressive voice and amazing guitar skills.
More information about Hurst is available at his website, www.jimhurst.com.
KASU will literally “pass the hat” to collect money to pay the group. The suggested donation is $5 per person.
In addition to the concert, Terry’s Café, 201 South Pruett Street in Paragould, opens on Bluegrass Monday nights to welcome bluegrass music fans. The café serves a catfish buffet meal beginning at 4:30 p.m. on the evenings of Bluegrass Monday concerts. Concessions will also be available at the Collins Theatre.
Bluegrass Monday concerts are held on the fourth Monday night of each month. These concerts are presented with support from Bibb Chiropractic, the Posey Peddler, Holiday Inn Express and Suites of Paragould, the Northeast Arkansas Bluegrass Association and KASU.
KASU, 91.9 FM, is the 100,000-watt public broadcasting service of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. For more information, contact KASU Program Director Marty Scarbrough at mscarbro@astate.edu or 870-972-2367. Bluegrass Monday is also on Facebook (search “Bluegrass Monday”).
