Molasses Creek to entertain

MOLASSES CREEK will entertain at an OBX Sounds event Thursday, Feb. 16, 7-9 p.m., at Kelly’s Restaurant and Tavern. OBX Sounds is a collaboration between Dare County Arts Council and 99.1 The Sound, and this will be the sixth in a series of showcases featuring all original, all local music.

Twenty-three miles off the coast of North Carolina, lies the remote island of Ocracoke. Only accessible by ferry, Ocracoke Island is an enchanting step out of modern times into a land of captivating natural beauty, rich maritime history, ghostly shipwrecks, heroic lifesavers, crafty pirates, and a community of 900 independently-minded residents. Since 1993 Molasses Creek has drawn its inspiration from this rich environment.

Phenomenal songwriters and interpreters of song, Molasses Creek concerts run the gamut of traditional to contemporary acoustic, sweet ballads with ensnaring vocal harmonies, hot instrumentals, quirky vaudevillian pieces, and captivating stage banter stitching it all together.

Molasses Creek’s 12 recordings have received airplay around the world along with a nomination for European Country Music Association band of year. They tour throughout the United States and have a track on the most recent Back Porch Music Sampler.

Molasses Creek’s roster includes Gary Mitchell (guitar/vocals), Fiddler Dave Tweedie (fiddle/vocals), Lou Castro (dobro/bass/vocals), Marcy Brenner (mandolin/banjolin/bass/vocals), and Gerald Hampton (mandolin/upright bass).

Natalie Woods will also entertain. She was born in Virginia but has moved around most of her life, living in South Carolina, Colorado, Arkansas, Ohio, North Carolina and Indiana. Currently residing in North Carolina, when she is not playing music out at local venues, she runs a small insurance agency. She is the mother of a 5-year-old son, Vance. Her music is mix of blues, country, rock and folk. When she was younger, she developed of love of songwriters, listening to Carole King and James Taylor. She appreciates all types of music, but loves country for the honesty and simplicity.