The recently concluded Zhangjiajie International Country Music Week was enjoyed by one and all and has been hailed a great success.
The 2009 Zhangjiajie International Country Music Week wrapped up successfully Monday afternoon in a local theater, with members from American trio Lucy Angel and Australian performer Grant Luhrs reprising John Denver's classic "Take Me Home, Country Roads", which resulted in a standing ovation from the enthusiastic and passionate audience.
As unveiled at the closing awards ceremony, the winner's line-up included Mariza Koch, Cyril Niccolai, and Grant Luhrs as the Best Singers, while the Best Instrumental Performance award went to Megan Sheehan from Tennessee and the Santa Fe Art Ensemble from New Mexico. The Pond Pirates from Austria grabbed the award for Best Performance, together with Korean minority art group and local performers from Zhangjiajie.
African drumming rhythms and percussion music turned out to be a big winner of the week as both the dance troupe from Guinea and the Drum Cafe from South Africa were selected as the favorite troupes.
The finale was brought to a climax as American country music singer and guitarist Mark Levine played a tailor-made "Zhangjiajie Song". The lyrics included "the International Country Music Festival was enjoyed by one and all, and if able to join the show, I am sure you'll have a ball..."
Mark Levine was awarded a special honor and received a trophy from Mr. Ye Wenzhi, the general designer of the music week and general manager of the Yellow Dragon Cave Investment Co. Ltd, which sponsored this grand event.
The country music week that ran from May 14-18 gathered together 24 foreign bands and seven distinguished performing troupes from domestic ethnic groups. They toured around the natural scenic spots in the wonderland of Zhangjiajie and treated tourists to an unparalleled feast of music, which was so intriguing and diverse.
Even the occasional downpour of spring rain in this mountainous area could not dampen people's excitement and enthusiasm. Musicians, music lovers and tourists were all brought together by the unifying force of the music.
Besides the week-long non-stop music, a bonfire party on Sunday night in front of a record crowd and impromptu performances from time to time by musicians from different countries in the hotel's lobby were also highlights of the week.
Both participants and tourists commented on how insignificant the language barrier was as people communicated with each other through music.
