Grammy-winning fiddle player Bronwyn Keith-Hynes performed a concert at The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country on Thursday, promoting her third studio album, “Rattlin’ Bones.” The performance, which received standing ovations for both the main set and the encore, also served as the inaugural event for the Mast Store Americana Music Series, underscoring a strong connection between Boone, the theatre, and bluegrass music.
"Rattlin' Bones" marks a significant milestone for Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, as it is her first album where she is the main songwriter. Her two previous albums, “I Built A World” released in 2024 and “Fiddler’s Pastime” from 2020, involved collaborators. The five-member group for the evening featured Bronwyn on the fiddle, Frank Evans on the banjo, Grant Dresnok on the guitar, Tristan Scroggins on the mandolin, and Larry Cook on the bass.
The show was introduced by Appalachian Theatre’s Executive Director Suzanne Livesay, who highlighted the theatre’s history and promoted future events before the band took the stage. The setlist included both older and newer music from Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, with a particular focus on tracks from "Rattlin' Bones" such as “Flower Child,” “Virginia Gal,” and “The Ride.” The band also presented several covers, including The Chicks’ “Goodbye Earl” and Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain.” A special moment of the evening involved a tribute to Watauga County native and bluegrass legend Doc Watson, with the band playing “Muskrat” and Frank Evans providing vocals.
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes began her musical journey at age three, initially playing Celtic music before transitioning to bluegrass in her teenage years. She was a founding member of the band Mile Twelve before her departure in 2021 to join Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway. It was during her tenure with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway that she previously performed in Boone, visiting Appalachian Theatre in November 2022. Her work as a member of this same band earned her a Grammy award for the group’s album “City of Gold.”
The Appalachian Theatre, which first opened its doors to the public in 1938, has historically served as a vital space for community gathering in Boone. Jason Deathridge, director of patron services at Appalachian Theatre, noted that the community "came to see their movies, to hang out with friends and just make connections."
Since its reopening in 2019, the Appalachian Theatre has actively worked toward re-establishing itself as an integral part of Boone’s community. It hosts a diverse array of events, ranging from the Toy Sheep Microcinema to bluegrass concerts and performances by local theatre groups. The theatre is recognized as a community pillar for Boone, and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes’s recent concert stands as the latest example of its continued commitment to this role.
The Mast Store Americana Music Series, which the concert initiated, is sponsored by Mast General Store and will feature six concerts. The series spans from September 17 to December 2, when Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Thunder Christmas are scheduled to perform at the Appalachian Theatre.