Music in Zhangjiajie unites musicians

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.

Musicians perform at the closing ceremony of the Zhangjiajie International Country Music Week on May 18, 2009. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

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..."