Soulful sounds will be floating throughout Covered Bridge Park tonight.
The ‘Music in the Park’ event for the 50th annual Covered Bridge Celebration boasts a musical lineup over the next four days with a native from the area taking center stage on Wednesday from 8 to 9 p.m.
“Jeff Woods is local to Elizabethton, went to school here and is living the dream in Nashville,” said Elizabeth White with the Carter County Chamber of Commerce. “He’s very excited to come back for the 50th anniversary and be our opening headliner.”
After graduating from Elizabethton High School in 1995, Woods made the trip down to Nashville to pursue his musical career while earning his business degree from Middle Tennessee State University in 2004.
With all the different sights and sounds Woods has taken in throughout his 15 years of playing music, he said he’s looking forward to his return in Carter County.
“I’m really looking forward to being back home.” Woods said. “It’s an honor to perform at the Covered Bridge Celebration. I remember going to it as a kid … and now I get to headline it?”
“I’m very thrilled to be back home to play music and to see all my friends and loved ones,” he added.
Woods describes his music as a mixture of gospel, blues and rock. The native’s debut album “Roots & Redemption” was released in 2014 and brings up different aspects of life, he said.
“It was a very important album to me,” Woods added. “It described all my personal experiences from growing up in Elizabethton to what it’s like in the music business. One of the songs on the album was dedicated to my grandfather, who passed away. The album really means a lot to me”
Woods’ second album is coming up on the horizon, and he added there’s a special level of excitement for his next piece.
“I’m really looking forward to it, man,” he said. “It’s going to be incredible. I’m working with a producer now who has worked with some of the best artists in Christian music, like Toby Mac. It’s going to be a continuation from my first album.”
For individuals that haven’t had a chance to hear Woods perform, he added that attendees will be in for a good time.
“It’s going to be fun,” he said. “I’m working with a great band out of Nashville. I’ll be performing some of my originals and some cover songs. I’ll also be singing one of my favorite hymns from growing up. I think people will really enjoy the set.”
For more information on Woods, individuals can visit reverbnation.com/jeffwoods online. The site features the various social media accounts for the musician, which he encourages people to like and follow, along with songs currently recorded. Woods’ debut album will be available for purchase tonight at $10.
East River Park kicks off tonight’s from 5:30 to 6 p.m. and Gospel Grass opens for Woods, going from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The entertainment for the first night of Covered Bridge Celebration is sponsored by Carter County Tourism.