John Ellison: From Sacred to Soul

A West Virginia life behind a familiar songwriting credit

The event biography traces Ellison from Montgomery, where he was born, to Landgraff in the state’s coalfields, where he grew up. It says he returns to West Virginia often and notes his 2015 induction into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.

Ellison is best known as the writer of “Some Kind o’ Wonderful.” That credit gives the concert a familiar point of reference, but it does not confirm the song will be performed.

Further reading: John Ellison: From Sacred to Soul - Charleston WV EventsCWV | Charleston, West Virginia - Events, Hotels & Things To Do ↗

Bare Bones brings a history of teaching and performing harmony

The opening trio is Bill and Becky Kimmons and Doc Cutlip. Bare Bones performs a cappella and has taught harmony singing at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins. The group also makes regular appearances at the Vandalia Gathering at the State Capitol.

FOOTMAD says the trio has performed widely in the eastern United States and toured Ireland twice, using the Irish American Folk Park in Omagh as its base on both visits. That background makes the opening act a distinct part of the evening, not simply an unnamed prelude.

Further reading: FOOTMAD concert featuring John Ellison award winning blues and soul legend. — FOOTMAD ↗

A crossover within FOOTMAD’s tradition-centered program

FOOTMAD describes Ellison’s concert as a crossover within its tradition-centered programming. The advertised unplugged repertoire covers gospel, blues, soul and R&B, and Ellison is also billed as a storyteller. The listing describes the styles and performance, rather than publishing a song-by-song setlist.

Further reading: John Ellison: From Sacred to Soul - Charleston WV EventsCWV | Charleston, West Virginia - Events, Hotels & Things To Do ↗ · FOOTMAD concert featuring John Ellison award winning blues and soul legend. — FOOTMAD ↗