Big Ron Hunter

UNC Asheville's Concerts on the Quad summer music series will continue with a performance by Piedmont bluesman Big Ron Hunter and his band at 7 p.m. Monday, June 29. This old-school musician and his four-piece band perform it all – from the acoustic stylings of Robert Johnston to up-town funky electric originals. The event is free and open to the public.

Hunter, who was mentored by bluesman Guitar Gabriel, began playing guitar 50 years ago. He developed and refined his own style of playing, which he dubbed "New Blues," while raising and family and working a day job. Now retired, Hunter works full-time on his music. He recently released his first album, "Pounding Out the Blues," to critical acclaim and is touring widely, including shows in Europe.

Concerts on the Quad is fun for the entire family. The public is invited to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs. Sorry, no pets allowed. With up to 2,000 people attending each concert, lawn-chair seating will be separate from blanket seating in order to preserve sight lines; please look for signage when arriving on the Quad.

In case of rain, the concerts will be held in Lipinsky Auditorium. Concert location decisions are made at 5 p.m. the day of the show. Patrons may call 828/251-6991 or 828/232-5000 extension 3 after 5:15 p.m. each Monday to hear a recorded announcement about the location of that evening's performance.

Other concerts in the season include:

July 6 -- Cherokee storyteller Lloyd Arneach at 7 p.m. followed by mountain musicians Laura Boosinger, Josh Goforth and Raymond McLain at 8 p.m.

July 13 -- The Capital Messengers, a jazz combo unit of the 257th U.S. Army Band based in Washington, D.C.

July 18-19 -- The 26th annual Folkmoot USA festival, the only ticketed event of the series, will feature folk dance and music from around the world. Tickets range from $25-$20 and are half-price for children under age 12. Tickets are available online at www.folkmootusa.org/ or call 877/FOLKUSA.

The 2009 Concerts on the Quad are presented in part with generous support from Biltmore Farms Hotels, Greenlife Grocery, Cherokee Preservation Foundation, Town and Mountain Realty, Musician's Workshop, Mast General Store, Smoky Mountain Living Magazine and WNC Tents.

For more information about Concerts on the Quad, call UNC Asheville's Cultural & Special Events Office at 828/251-6991 or click on www.unca.edu/summerquad.