Jewel Ward Hosts Open Mic at Play Music on the Porch Day 2024

September 18, 2024 Jewel H. Ward

On August 31, 2024, Morganton, NC, came alive with music as part of the 10th anniversary of Play Music on the Porch Day—a worldwide celebration bringing musicians together across more than 70 countries and over 1,000 cities. In Morganton alone, 17 events took place, thanks to the coordination of the Morganton Cultural Arts Commission and the incredible efforts of Jay Brandt, who organized the day’s order of events for the third consecutive year.

As part of the day’s festivities, Jewel Ward hosted an Open Mic, Friends and Family Jam at her home, where musicians gathered to perform, collaborate, and celebrate music in the community. The performances ran smoothly from 8 AM to 10 PM, with Jewel's event taking place in the heart of the day's schedule from 11 AM to 1 PM.

The event brought together a diverse range of performers, from gospel groups to ukulele players, creating a rich tapestry of music that lifted the spirits of everyone in attendance. A heartfelt moment was also dedicated to Crystal Cauley (in memoriam), whose memory was honored through a special tribute.

Musicians in order of appearance:

Serina Penington and Tyler Penington
4EVER Faithful (Darlene Mitchiner, Kay Miller, Hugh Corpening, Brandon Owens, Nelson Roberson, and Mostella Calloway)
Table Rock Ukulele Players (Annette McRay, Jeff Vickers, and Michael Nadrich)
Chris Eselgroth
Crystal Cauley (in memoriam)
Tony Robles
Penington & Ward (Serina Penington and Jewel Ward)

The event’s smooth execution was made possible by the efforts of the entire team:

Sound: Jimmy Buchanan
Graphics: Chris Eselgroth
Principal Photographer and Videographer: Sophia Sutcliffe
Helpers: Chris Abernathy, Ruby Chester, Nicholas Propst, Ann Sutcliffe, Matthew Sutcliffe, and Poppy Sutcliffe
Host: Jewel Ward

The day was a true reflection of the spirit of Play Music on the Porch Day, bringing together musicians of all ages and styles to share their love of music with their community.

Check out the livestream of the performances and enjoy the wonderful talent that graced the event.

For more updates on future events and music releases, follow Jewel Ward Music at jewelward.com.