JERRY RUN SUMMER THEATER
Thanks to Frederic George for photo
Welcome to the Jerry Run Page
I don't consider the theater a business as much as I consider it a
tribute or showcase opportunity for musicians, and music, and performance.
Also, a place for people to socialize.
I don't think any performers come to Jerry Run Theater for the money.
And I'm very thankful to them for that.
Also, I haven't heard any say admission was excessive. And I certainly can't
say I'm in it for the money.
Seems, since COViD, attendance has gone down. 50 is a good turnout these days.
Out of 13 regular shows in 2024, only 6 exceeded 50.
Another thing affecting the theater is that I no longer have the license
required for bands to play BMI songs. Many performers we've had at the theater
in the past relied on BMI licensed music in their shows. Without my having a
BMI license, bands cannot play any songs from their catalog.
It's unfortunate, a lot of great songs are licensed to them. But I just can't
justify why I should let myself be fleeced by some big inflexible corporation, especially
if I don't have to. Seems to me, BMI has a one-price-fits-all attitude. They're
in it for the money even though they do pay royalties to nationally-known musicians and composers.
So, we now get bands or individual musicians who don't play BMI music; they play their own songs,
or songs that have been around so long that they belong to the public, or songs licensed to ASCAP.
ASCAP is another music licensing company and I have been licensed to play ASCAP songs in the theater
for many years. ASCAP charges a reasonable percentage, and it gives bands many great songs they can play here.
So, this season we won't have as many shows as past years. But, I'm looking forward to this summer
and some great music coming including several acts new to the theater, and some who've we've enjoyed for years.
email [email protected] or call 304-493-6574 for info or reservations
2025 SCHEDULE
All shows start at 7:oo
May
16 Friday Benefit for Cystic Fibrosis
31 Saturday Makenna Hope
Makenna Hope is a 19 year old singer-songwriter who grew up in the hills of St. Albans, West Virginia.
Her strong alto vocals and wide range make this young artist a force to be reckoned with.
Coming from a family full of music lovers, she was introduced to classic country at a young age and quickly
fell in love with artists like Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and Loretta Lynn.
Since first taking the stage at age 8, she has performed with a number of artists that range from country
to indie rock. Some of those artists include: Andrew Adkins, John Lilly, Annie Neeley, Ron Sowell, Parmalee,
Colt Ford, Dan and Shay, and Hello June.
seats for this show are $7 and
reservations are welcome
June
7 Saturday Carpenter Ants
seats for this show are $10 and reservations are welcome
Old-Style Rythym & Blues, Gospel Soul and Country Funk.
Even the best bands come and go but the Charleston WV-based Carpenter Ants have defied the odds and been together
for well over 30 years, with their trademark country-soul sound rich, soulful harmonies, stinging solos and a
rock-solid rhythm section that captures that rare, loose-but-tight feel, and has won the band international as
well as regional acclaim. In 2021, they lost founding member Charlie Tee to Covid, and he is remembered wherever they go.
West Virginia's premier rhythm & blues group, the Ants guitarist Michael Lipton, drummer Jupie Little, bassist Ted Harrison
and keyboardist, multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter Mark Bates have quietly amassed a resume that rivals many
national groups. With an arsenal of classic and forgotten American music, the Ants wail through classic R&B, country-swamp
and gospel-soul with equal conviction. Regardless of the occasion, they never fail to have a good time and that feeling is contagious.
http://www.carpenterants.wvmusichalloffame.com/
14 Saturday The Wild Shoats
seats for this show are $8 and reservations are welcome
West Virginia native Mary Linscheid, brothers Gus and Huck Tritsch of Millheim, PA, and Alex Heflin of Morgantown, WV, set an alt-folk soundtrack to the strange late-stage capitalist Appalachia they grew up in. Calling on their collective backgrounds in folk songs, honky tonk, and the Appalachian high-lonesome sound, the Shoats reimagine the songs and sounds of their home through haunting original material and well-loved covers. The Shoats won the Appalachian String Band Music Festival, Neo-Traditional Band Competition in 2023, just a few months after the band formation.
21 Saturday Blue Steel
seats for this show are $8 and reservations are welcome
This WV native bluegrass band blends gospel and country with a hard driving bluegrass sound.
Dave Matheny-banjo, vocals
Nate Linger- mandolin, vocals
Logan Matheny-bass
Molly Riffle- fiddle, vocals
John David Vaugh-guitar, banjo, vocals
Justin Riffle-guitar, vocals
https://www.facebook.com/bluesteel.bluegrass/info?tab=page_info
July
19 Saturday
Private Party (Full Cirkle)
Everybody welcome
26 Saturday Fairplay
Fair Play is composed of four longtime friends and collaborators who share a passion for roots music, including includes folk, bluegrass, country and even a few jazz classics. Their songs share stories of everyday people and feature close harmonies and toe- tapping instrumentals. Their instrumental compositions combine elements of folk, classical, and jazz. Jeff and Sherry Wagner deliver acoustic music with guitar, mandolin and bass, while Ed and Trish Bowes add to the mix with banjo, guitar, dobro and even a bit of hammer dulcimer! Both duos have previously released CD�s of their original songs and instrumental compositions, and are excited to combine musical forces to share new music with audiences.
seats for this show are $8 and reservations are welcome
August
2 Saturday Silas Powell Band
seats for this show are $8 and reservations are welcome
The Silas Powell Band, a powerful trio originally from Doddridge County, WV, features 3 generations of multi-talented musicians. The band�s namesake, Silas Powell, is one of today's most exciting young mandolin prodigies. Silas, along with his father, Josh Powell, and his grandpa, Jeff Powell, deliver a full and exciting sound with rich harmonies and powerful stage presence.
https://www.facebook.com/Silas-and-The-Powell-Family-Band
9 Saturday Buck & Company
seats for this show are $8 and reservations are welcome
Buck McCumbers is a veteran of the bluegrass music scene. He started playing at the age of 16 on the Spencer, WV radio. In 1967, he started playing with Frank Necessary and the Stone Mountain Boys recording one album and several singles with them. He also was a member of the WWVA Jamboree. He then formed with his family the McCumbers Brothers Band, recording their first album in 1976 on Old Homestead Records. He was one of the founding members of the group License to Drive. They produced 2 recordings. In 2002, he was instrumental in forming the band Buck & Company. His repertoire includes several recordings on different projects and also playing with several notable bands including Red Allen, Mac Wiseman, Lillie Mae and the Dixie Gospelaires and the Hutchinson Brothers. Buck�s contributions to the band are numerous. Not only does he play mandolin/fiddle while delivering superb lead and tenor vocals, he is a tremendous songwriter, contributing fresh original material.
Connie Hardman has contributed her musical and singing talents to bluegrass music for several years. Being a guitarist and a sister to the McCumbers brothers, she has played with them for several years and was privileged to be included in some of their recordings. Connie also helped to form an Ohio-based bluegrass group Northern Blend with whom she has played festivals, gospel sings, and various churches. Her ability to write songs is evidenced by several of her songs being recorded with Northern Blend. The Battle is the title cut of Buck & Company gospel album.
Jerry Hardway has played music for several years, beginning with his family and some close friends at an early age. Working full time makes it hard for him to play at times however he has the balance mastered. Despite his busy life, he still finds time to practice his hobby of music. Jerry was raised on a small farm in Palestine, WV and loves working in his shop, especially rebuilding engines. He was valedictorian of Wirt County High School. He was around old time, gospel and bluegrass music most of his life. His musical talents come from both sides of his family. Not only is Jerry a great bass player, he also plays several other stringed instruments.
Dwayne McCumbers contributes his tremendous dobro skills to the band. Dwayne musical resume is impressive. Not only has he performed and recorded with several notable local and regional bands, he has performed with national acts such as Red Allen, Harley Allen, John Hartford, Mac Wiseman, Hylo Brown, the McCumbers Brothers and the Stone Mountain Boys. Dwayne was also a member of the Wheeling Jamboree.
Randy Brady was raised at Duck, in Clay County, West Virginia. Randy was born into a musical family, his dad played music and his mom wrote songs. Randy played banjo with his younger sisters, Rotha Brady Hardway on guitar and Shirley Brady Sheppard on upright bass. They recorded several CDs and played as the Brady family. Randy is also very accomplished on guitar. He also has a recording studio in Parkersburg, WV where many professional and local groups have recorded. Along with his banjo and guitar skills, Randy vocal abilities are a welcome addition to the band
Eric Chichester has played and enjoyed bluegrass music for many years. He was inspired and taught early on by his father who plays a number of stringed instruments. They, along with Erics brother, have played music together for many years. In addition to playing with his family, Eric has also performed with numerous groups all over the East coast. Although Eric has mastered singing and playing many instruments on a professional level, to him it has been an enjoyable hobby and recreation.
16 Saturday Grassy Creek
seats for this show are $7 and reservations are welcome
Left to right, Jim Wilson, David Phares, Lee Hull, Jim Bonnet, Russell Cogar, Alex Phares. Grassy Creek Band is a local group of friends based in Webster County that play traditional Bluegrass and Gospel music!
23 Saturday Verdeant
seats for this show are $7 and reservations are welcome
Verdeant is a musical duo that performs a blend of modern, folk, country, and original music. Featuring stunning vocals, thoughtfully crafted piano and innovative percussion, they provide entertainment for seasonal events, festivals, restaurants, private parties, and corporate occasions.
30 Saturday Chet Lowther and Friends
seats for this show are $7 and reservations are welcome
Chet Lowther is an accomplished singer-songwriter who has been entertaining
folks around West Virginia for years. Based in Charleston; this is his first
appearance at Jerry Run.
"As far as a description of my my music, I think it would best be described
as Americana or singer/songwriter, my musical influences include songwriters
like John Prine, Guy Clark, Darrell Scott, Richard Thompson , Chris Smither, etc�..
I aspire to that same sort of honest, simplistic, clever, writing style of those
types of writers."--Chet
https://www.facebook.com/chetlowthermusic/
September
6 Saturday
Private Party (Jim Davidson Band)
Everybody welcome
13 Saturday Jim Truman and John Posey
seats for this show are $7 and reservations are welcome
Jim Truman is from Morgantown and started performing music publicly in the 1980s. He also
spent that decade traveling the US as a stand-up comic. Performances in these two
spaces led to opening act slots for numerous national acts including Steven Stills and
Jerry Seinfeld, to name a few.
John Posey grew up in Wheeling and came to Morgantown for the music program at WVU.
Studying and playing music has taken him to many stages, including the Clay Center in
Charleston and even in Brazil. His music skills span many instruments but is focused
on guitar and mandolin.
Jim and John have played at Jerry Run a few times before, as part of various groups.
Their shows include a wide mix of originals, jazz, old-country and folk songs a little bit
of everything. Mostly they just enjoy playing; and look forward to a fun evening.
20 Saturday Aaron Beam and The Do-Gooders
seats for this show are $7 and reservations are welcome
We call ourselves Aaron Beam and The Do Gooders.
The folks who put on the Friday Concert Series in Richwood said
this about us that I think was nice, "Aaron Beam brings a fresh,
modern uptake on bluegrass, reminiscent of old-timey music,
with a brighter, cleaner sound that stays with you and puts a
lift in your step and a smile in your heart."
Aaron Beam - guitar/lead vocal
Dave Beam - banjo/tenor vocal
Joey Miller - mandolin
Doug Gordon - bass
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090549440416
27 Saturday Norfolk & Southern
seats for this show are $7 and reservations are welcome
Norfolk and Southern is another longtime favorite at JRST, and have closed the season for us for many years in a row.
They are based in north central West Virginia and bring lots of veteran talent to their bluegrass repertoire, playing
a crowd-pleasing mix of traditional, contemporary, gospel, and original material.
Mark Gainer---Guitar,
Mark Lynch---Mandolin, Rick Cleavenger---Banjo, Mark Matheny on bass
October
4 Saturday Denton King & friends
seats for this show are $7 and reservations are welcome
Singer/songwriter Denton King spent the first 10 years of his life on Point Mountain in Webster County
and then moved to the Ireland area where he still lives today. He "uses his writing and singing talents
to display the simple gifts of Appalachian life," according to a recent interview. Denton wrote his first
song at the age of 8; when he played it for his mother on a ukulele, her words of encouragement started him
on a lifelong path of songwriting. Denton says he doesn't really write songs as much as he makes them up, and
they are often about the simple gifts of traditional Appalachian living. Some of his best known songs are
"I'm an Appalachian, "Hillbilly Ways," and "Mountain Gospel Banjo" and he has been a regular performer at the
Stonewall Jackson Jubilee for many years.
We are thrilled that Denton King and Friends will be bringing their traditional country bluegrass music to our
Jerry Run stage for the first time this season.
Contact Information
Street Address: 824 Cleveland Road, Cleveland, WV 26215
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 304-493-6574
Driving Directions
You can go to Google Maps and type in Jerry Run Summer Theater then ask for driving directions.
Street Address: 824 Cleveland Road Cleveland, WV 26215
Driving Directions
Regional Directions: We are located about halfway between Morgantown and Charleston, West Virginia, in northern Webster County.
From the north (I-79 southbound) you have two choices: For more business traffic and shopping areas, take the first Weston exit
follow US 33 East to Buckhannon (about 11 miles), take Rte. 20 south toward Rock Cave (about 14 miles), following brown signs toward
Holly River State Park (about 17 miles). For less traffic and very few businesses, take the Roanoke exit (91), turn right on Rte. 19
toward Stonewall Jackson Resort/State Park. Continue about 11 miles to Walkersville. Bear left on Rte. 4 toward Rock Cave (about 7 miles).
Bear right at the intersection with Rte. 20, following brown signs toward Holly River State Park (about 17 miles). Theater is located about
5 miles from the Webster/Upshur county line bridge in the bottom on the right, directly after Panther Run Road, a red bus stop, and a
concrete bridge. We are across from Jerry Run United Methodist Church.
From the south (I-79) northbound): Take the Flatwoods exit (67), turn right at traffic light, take next left onto Days Inn Drive about 1 mile
until it ends at Rte. 15, Turn left and go about 18 miles to Diana. Turn left (north) on Rte. 20, following brown signs toward Holly River State Park
(about 12 miles). Theater is 1.5 miles beyond the park entrance in the bottom on the left across from Jerry Run United Methodist Church,.
From Webster Springs: Take Rte. 20 north toward Diana and Buckhannon, following brown signs toward Holly River State Park, continuing on Rte. 20 at Diana.
We are about 21 miles from Webster Springs. Theater is 1.5 miles beyond the park entrance in the bottom on the left across from Jerry Run United Methodist Church,
You will see a sign for the Jerry Run Summer; turn in and follow driveway to the cabin, theater, and bunkhouse.
Note: Jerry Run (or Jerry�s Run) is named for a small creek that runs through the area; it is a rural community located between Cleveland and Hacker Valley, and is not usually found on maps.
You Tube Videos
pianist Miki Sawada's "Gather Here Tour" Mike Polk Jr. visits Cleveland, West Virginia Mike Polk Jr. explores the Jerry Run Summer Theater Hip Hop Artist Shelem Visits The Jerry Run Summer Theater Iron and Wine at Jerry Run film: Dreamers and Makers are My Favorite People Charleston Gazette article 3rd String Bluegrass preforms 30 Years of Farming with some help from John Miller and Chris West from Blue Moon Rising Rodney Dane sings I Wanna be a Hillbilly with JC and The Moonshine Band Deb Gore performs Swingin' - the dancer is Ian Cornett The Summer 2016 issue of WV Living magazine made this video, the band is Savannah and the Kings Falling Run Bluegrass preforms Those Memories of You - July 2013 Wolf Creek preforms Minor Swing - July 2014 WhiteWater performs Until There Was You - May 2015 Soldiers of the Cross preform V Bottom Boat - July 2011 Stephanie Sphinks and Country Fried preform Detroit City. Alleghenny Outback at Jerry RunNearby Attractions
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