REPRESENTS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 categories of Guitar, Mandolin, and Banjo — the first-ever such sweep in that competition’s history.

Filling out the sound on stage, Cane Mill Road features guitarist Rob McCormac, bassist Jacob Smith, banjo player Colton Kerchner and fiddler Sam Stage. Up front, Purcell provides lead vocals while playing mandolin.

The band got it’s start right here in Boone, as local resident Purcell encountered McCormac, Smith and Kerchner — all attendees of Appalachian State — through the town’s music scene.

“There were a couple of really formative spots around town,” Purcell explained. “I met Rob through local community jams at The Children’s Playhouse and then Murphy’s was the first place I met Jacob and Colton.”

Stage meanwhile was making his own way in the world of bluegrass fiddling, and met Purcell through various events and competitions they traveled to.

Purcell and Cane Mill Road are a welcome addition to the 2023 lineup, and Purcell promoted the virtues of Boonerang — such as the lack of an entry fee, and the local cooperation.

“One of the biggest things that sets Boonerang apart from other festivals of its prominence is that it’s free to the to the community,” Purcell revealed. “There are festivals of similar size that would cost a family hundreds of dollars, which is a huge barrier. Here at Boonerang a lot of folks are able to come out and have an amazing experience with your family — at no cost to the general public — which is incredible.”

Purcell continued, “Everyone involved has a connection to the town, so it very much starts with a sense of community that you can feel on the stage. Local business Scott Haynes Event Production are responsible for staging sound and everything. From the Jones House, Mark Freed and Brandon Holder are responsible for putting most of this on, and a lot of decision making behind the scenes. These people are friends to everyone in the community, so there is very much a feeling of friendship and camaraderie on stage. It’s a treasure to get to work with people you know and enjoy.”

Purcell and Cane Mill Road are scheduled to play at Boonerang 2023 at the South Depot Stage on Saturday, from 3 to 5 p.m.