Gathering in the Gap music festival announces main stage lineup features Crystal Gayle and Dave Eggar

Big Stone Gap — The Fourteenth Annual “Gathering in the Gap” Music Festival at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park offers a one-of-a-kind evening of performances by Grand Ole Opry Inductee Crystal Gayle and Dave Eggar, a well-known cellist, pianist and composer. “Gathering in the Gap,” which will be held on Saturday, May 23 on the park’s grounds, is a music festival celebrating the rich tradition of old-time, Americana and bluegrass music found in Southwest Virginia.

Crystal Gayle

Crystal was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in January 2017 by her sister Loretta Lynn. The Academy of Country Music recognized Crystal with a 2016 Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award for her lifetime achievements in country music, and in 2009 she was honored to receive her own star on the fabled Hollywood Walk of Fame.
These honors are fitting tributes to Crystal, who has been a favorite of audiences of country and popular music since attaining national prominence with her first chart records in the mid-seventies. Renowned for her classic recording of her timeless signature song, “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” Crystal also scored with her multi-format hits, “You’ve Been Talking In Your Sleep,” “When I Dream,” “Half the Way,” and her duet with Eddie Rabbitt, “Just You and I”. Crystal has released over 20 one hits and has been awarded numerous times by the Grammys, the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music, the American Music Awards, and the American Music Operators Association.
Crystal just released You Don’t Know Me: Classic Country, an album that contains classic country songs that had special significance to Crystal in her youth. Christos Gatzimos, Crystal’s son, engineered and co-produced the project with her.

Crystal’s 2003 album, All My Tomorrows, complements her country heritage and is a collection of classic American standards that Crystal produced with Jay Patten, her longtime music director. “I feel honored to perform these favorite songs that any artist loves to sing, songs with timeless beauty.” Gayle said.”

She also found great personal satisfaction in recording two inspirational albums. Her Grammy nominated “Someday” was comprised of mostly original spiritual songs and “He Is Beautiful” contains mostly traditional hymns. These efforts led to Crystal’s 2009 induction into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.

Crystal contributed songs to three Grammy winning children’s albums: Sesame Country (in which she dueted with Big Bird), Here Comes the Rainbow, and Songs from the Neighborhood - The Music of Mr. Rogers and recorded a solo children’s album, In My Arms, a collection of lullabies that perfectly suits her warm vocals.

Crystal is a long-time resident of Nashville, Tennessee. When she is not touring she spends much of her personal time with her immediate and extended family. Crystal also makes time for community involvement. She was the first recipient of the Waterford Crystal “Celebration of Light” award in recognition of her many charitable activities.

Dave Eggar

Dave Eggar is regarded as one of the finest cellists on the planet. That cello you hear in the intro to Coldplay’s first #1 single “Viva La Vida” is performed by Dave. On the Billboard Top 200 # 1 album, the debut solo artist by Zayn Malik, Mind of Mine, Dave plays and arranged the music. A musical prodigy as a child, Dave began playing the cello and piano at age three, performed on Broadway and with the Metropolitan Opera at age seven, and debuted at Carnegie Hall at age 15. Dave Eggar has performed worldwide as a solo cellist and pianist. A virtuoso of many styles, Dave has performed and recorded with various artists including Coldplay, Beyoncé, Bon Jovi, Evanescence, The Who, Pearl Jam, Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, Fall Out Boy, Kathleen Battle, Ray Lamontagne, Frank Ocean, Corinne Bailey Rae and many more. His list of awards and accomplishments includes accolades from Time Magazine, ASCAP, The National Endowment for the Arts, Sony Records Elevated Standards Award in classical music, the Geraldine Dodge & Leonard Bernstein Foundations, and at 15, he was the youngest winner in the history of the Artists International Competition.

In addition to the featured Main Stage performances, “Gathering in the Gap” will include an annual songwriting competition, workshops, musical competitions, music jams, a children’s area, and the “Stitch in Time” Quilt Show, Food and Craft Vendors will also be on hand.

Reserved section seating and advance general admission tickets may be purchased now for 2020 Gathering in Gap Tickets Music Festival. The reserved section will be available through December 31 - get them while they last for guaranteed seating in the first 10 rows of the festival Main Stage area. This would make a great holiday gift idea.

For additional information and a full schedule of events, please visit the festival website at www.gatheringinthegap.org “like” the festival page on Facebook, or call the park at 276/523-1322.