NRCC Concert Series presents Blue Tradition and New Ballard’s Branch Bogtrotters

Dec 10 2025

The music of Blue Tradition and New Ballard’s Branch Bogtrotters will be featured during New River Community College’s Concert Series event on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Music will begin at 6 p.m. in 117 Edwards Hall at NRCC in Dublin.

Blue Tradition is a bluegrass band from southwestern Virginia. The members include Ethan Handy on banjo, Casey Lewis on mandolin, Emily Handy on bass, Cordell Puckett on guitar, and Eric Handy on dobro.

The New Ballards Branch Bogtrotters have been playing old time mountain music in the Galax area since 1986. Dennis Hall is the founder of the band and continues to serve as band leader. The band was named for the small stream in Galax where Hall grew up and still resides, as well as in honor of Uncle Eck Dunford, a member of the original Bogtrotters band from the 1920s. The current group includes Hall on guitar, Eddie Bond on fiddle and vocals, Bonnie Bond on bass and vocals, Josh Ellis on banjo and vocals, and Caroline Noel Beverley on mandolin and vocals.

Corporate sponsors of the jamborees include Anderson Audiology, Dublin; Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Brown, Christiansburg; CCCKY, LLC-Fazoli’s, Dublin; Deanie Hall-State Farm Agent, Dublin; Estes Auto & Truck Parts Inc., Pilot; First Community Bank, Pulaski; Gregory Seeding and Landscaping Company, Pulaski; King Tire Service, Pulaski; Martin’s Pharmacy, Pulaski; NRCC Bookstore, Dublin; Pepsi Cola Bottling Co., Dublin; Pulaski Patriot, Pulaski; SERVPRO, Montgomery & Pulaski Counties; and Southern Furniture Warehouse, Radford.

The doors open at 5 p.m. for the show. Admission is free; however, donations will be accepted to help offset the travel expenses for the musicians. The music events are typically held the second Saturday of each month through April at NRCC, a Crooked Road affiliated venue.

For more information about the NRCC Concert Series, please contact Tim Jones at (540) 674-3625 or visit www.nr.edu/concerts.