Deblois Milledge Band in concert here

The Morgan Arts Council showcases singer-songwriter, Deblois Milledge, and her band of music industry powerhouses at the concert on Saturday, July 31 at 5:30 p.m. in Berkeley Springs State Park. Rain location is the Ice House.

Milledge’s roots are grounded in the south but years of touring nationally and long stays in Costa Rica and now San Diego give her music a purely American sound.

She has surrounded herself with first class musicians including Danny Campbell on drums, bassplayer James East and renowned electric guitarist and slide player, Billy Thompson.

The band first assembled in New York City and debuted at the "Village Underground." They've performed throughout the country ever since. Individually, the band members have played with or opened for a long list of music superstars from Tony Bennett and Emmylou Harris to Eric Clapton and Elton John. Their collective musical gifts are necessary to perform the eclectic and original music Deblois creates.

"It's really down to earth. It's a roots music movement," Deblois says about her work. "I was always really drawn to the campfire side of guitar. My parents are from the South, so there's also a lot of front porch time." Her music suits her raspy alto and capacity to tell a story. She has always drawn her lyrics from the content of her life. A recent near-death bout with the H1N1 flu infuses her current songs with insights and joy. Musically, there is no genre that can capture her soulful brand of not-quite jazz, folk, blues or bluegrass. She is working on her fifth studio album.

To hear her before the concert, tune in to The Doc on 92.9 WDHC in Berkeley Springs at 4 p.m.

This concert is funded in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and West Virginia Commission on the Arts as well as hotel/motel tax from the town and county. It is sponsored by Ambrae House.