July 13, 2018
The King Bees
The King Bees, Rob "Hound Dog" Baskerville and Penny "Queen Bee" Zamagni call the mountains of North Carolina home, but travel the world with their Blues and American Roots music. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the band and also the 16th year of New River Blues Festival (held annually in their home, Ashe County) which they created and produce. The King Bees have performed on festival stages in such European capitals as Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Stockholm, and London and have taken their internationally acclaimed show across numerous countries. Their love of American Roots music has carried them to shows in Mississippi jukes joints as well as to several performances at Lincoln Center. In the mid-1980's Baskerville and Zamagni began traveling the deep-South searching for and mentoring under Blues artists of historical, cultural, and musical significance. Many blues greats took them under their wing and nurtured and guided The King Bees toward the sound of authenticity. With Baskerville on guitar and keys and Zamagni on vocals, bass, and as song smith, The King Bees honed their art with many Blues masters. By 1990 they had been touring and recording with some of the most culturally important of Blues artists. In the early 1990's they were signed to a European label and began touring internationally.
Located at Knoxville Museum of Art
Friday, July 13
Website: www.knoxart.org