Springing from the suburban hills and valleys south of Birmingham, Shades Mountain Air performs an acoustic music style that’s soothing but powerful…with shades of bluegrass, folk, and old-time gospel.

They will bring those “Shades” to downtown Opp’s Lighterd Knot Landin’ on Sat., May 14 at 7 p.m.

The performance is being sponsored by the Opp Cultural Arts Council.

Shades Mountain Air is a Birmingham acoustic-bluegrass band. They have recorded two CDs, Shades Mountain Air in 2000 and Sky’s A Clearing in 2004.

They have been together since 1998 and have performed at a wide variety of venues, including Samford University, Auburn University, Georgetown College and in Memphis, Tenn., at the Baptist College of Health Sciences, churches, coffee houses, for the American Gospel Quartet Convention and at the Birmingham Area Music Awards show.

The members of Shades Mountain Air include Nancy Womble on upright bass and lead vocals; Gary Furr on guitar and vocals; Greg Womble on banjo and vocals, and Don Wendorf on mandolin, banjo and hammer dulcimer. They have just added an exciting new member of the band, fiddle player Melanie Richardson Rogers.

According to Wes Laird, chairman of OCAC’s music committee, the group is an “acoustic band that mixes modern, traditional, and gospel bluegrass styles, and you’ll hear a little of everything from Bill Monroe to James Taylor.”

To hear a sample of their music, visit them on the web at reverbnation.com/shadesmountainair.

Tickets are $15 each and available at Southern Independent Bank in Opp and at the OCAC downtown.

Don’t forget to mark thecalendar for the upcoming gospel pickin’ at Lighterd Knot Landin’ tomorrow night at 7 p.m.