WVU Parkersburg hosts Staats concert

WVU Parkersburg to host free concert Saturday (Oct. 7, 2006) featuring Johnny Staats and the Delivery Boys.

CONTACT: Connie Dziagwa, Institutional Advancement, 304-424-8203.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Virginia University at Parkersburg is hosting a free concert featuring Johnny Staats and the Delivery Boys at 1 p.m., Saturday (Oct. 7) in the multi-purpose room on campus.

The concert is free and open to the public. It is being held as a thank-you to the community as part of the college's 45th anniversary celebration.

A native of West Virginia, mandolin virtuoso Staats joined his first band at the age of 9 and became a regular at competitions from age 13 on. Staats established dominance on his home turf - Charleston's prestigious Vandalia Gathering-Mandolin championships - in 1996, 1997, and 1999. 1997 was particularly notable in that he pulled off the rare feat of also winning the guitar title and placed third in the fiddle competition.

His 2000 album "Wires and Wood" demonstrated his dazzling mandolin playing and expressive voice with a stellar cast of bluegrass legends including John Cowan, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Jim Hurst and Tim O'Brien. Other co-stars on the cd were Sara Evans and Kathy Mattea.

cd010/03/2006

For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203)