R.A. Fountain gaining steady popularity
Venue in Fountain, N.C. attracts superior folk acts
Mark Romano, Staff Writer
April 04, 2006
Word of mouth has been spreading the popularity of the R.A. Fountain General Store located in Fountain, N.C. just 30 minutes from Greenville. The venue "virtually books itself," as owner and ECU English professor Alex Albright says, and indeed it does.
Albright doesn't advertise the antique store as a venue, but ever since he had a band play at the opening of the store, acts just kept rolling in. The store has a well organized collection of odds and ends, from dishes, mugs and cookie jars to paintings, books and clothing. Even the seats in front of the performance area were a mixture of old theater seats and church pews. A bluegrass jam is held monthly and acts are booked solid for the upcoming spring and summer months, for a schedule of events, visit RAfountain.com.
A small crowd came in on the night of April 1 to see Watermelon Sugar, a mellow acoustic folk duo that played a full band's worth of instruments. Louise Bendall and Hypatia Kingsley performed a set of stunningly well-written originals that sounded similar to Sarah McLachlan, Allison Krauss and James Taylor. Bendall alternated between guitar and banjo while Kingsley was constantly switching it up between guitar, mandolin and her specialty, violin. A few covers were added in their set including a bluegrass rendition of AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long."
The band is working on their third album and you can hear samples from their currently released albums Something to Savor and Sample on their website, WatermelonSugar.com.
After their second set, I had an opportunity to jam with the band and talk to them about their lives and music. The two balance the band with their families, including a total of three children.
Albright provided some southern hospitality after the show where we talked into the night about politics, family, life and culture.
Venues such as R.A. Fountain are easy going, traditional places that put emphasis on family, friends and quality. The second you walk in, you feel an immense sense of history, and rightfully so considering the building was constructed in 1916 and is loaded with antiques. The homey atmosphere is soothing and relaxing, and when you add music such as Watermelon Sugar's, you can't get much more comfortable. The people are friendly and they serve great blended coffee and bakery items.
R.A. Fountain General Store is well worth the half hour drive from Greenville, and most events are done by 10 p.m., leaving students plenty of time to get back to Greenville for late night activities.
R.A. Fountain gaining steady popularity