Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKCTC) and Harlan Rotary Club will jointly sponsor a bluegrass concert at the SKCTC Harlan campus on Nov. 21. The featured act will be Cumberland Gap Connection.

“The Rotary Club is excited to co-sponsor this event with SKCTC,” said Jerry Haynes, a Harlan Rotary Club member. “We are entering our seventh season sponsoring bluegrass concerts for Harlan Countians. We have had good support from the community and hope to continue to provide a good time and good music for everyone.”

The featured band, Cumberland Gap Connections and lead singer Mike Bentley have been involved with bluegrass music for several years. Bentley writes a lot of original tunes for the band as well as providing vocals and guitar instrumental parts. Bentley was previously with the band “Dismal Pike” that performed at Harlan’s bluegrass festival in the past. Bentley resides at Virgie, in Pike County.

Bryan Turner, from New Tazewell, Tenn., provides vocals and upright bass for the band. Turner said he considers the strengths of this band to be the fact that all its members share a common goal, and everyone clearly understands their role within the group.

Rod Smith, from Belfry, is the banjo and harmony singer for the band. Smith said he has been playing the banjo since the age of 14, and his major influences from the time he began playing the banjo were his grandfather, Orison Smith, and Terry Baucom, two of the best banjo players in bluegrass music.

The youngest member of the band is 21-year-old Clint Hurd from Eidson, Tenn. Hurd plays not only the mandolin, but guitar, bass and banjo as well. Hurd said he was a big fan of Bill Monroe, Tony Rice, Sam Bush, Adam Steffey and many other talented musicians.

“Cumberland Gap Connection plays a song called ‘Coal Miner Dance’ which I think everyone in this county will love and appreciate,” said Jerry Blanton, Harlan Rotary Club member. “We are excited to provide this wonderful entertainment for the people of our community. Many have been committed to coming out for our bluegrass concerts including our bluegrass festival that we have every year. This concert, just like our festival, is equal to any concert or festival around. We plan to keep making them bigger and better every year with your help.”

If you plan to attend, tickets in advance are $10 each, at the door they will be $12. In order to help families, who like to attend and bring their children, all children under the age of 12 will be admitted free of charge. The concert will begin at 7 p.m.