The Union County Arts Council is looking forward to hosting a new event this week as it will hold a fundraiser featuring the musical trio of Fayssoux McLean, Freddie Vanderford and Brandon Turner at the USC-Union Auditorium in downtown Union tomorrow (Thursday, April 22) at 7 p.m.

Those in attendance will have the opportunity to hear the trio perform in a setting that will spotlight the talent of the three Upstate musical all-stars. Concert-goers will have an opportunity to hear musical subtleties that may be missed in more hectic venues.

Fayssoux McLean — a vocalist from Spartanburg is sure to entertain audiences. McLean has performed on six Emmylou Harris albums, as well as her solo album — "Early" — which includes supporting performances from Emmylou Harris, Ricky Scaggs and David Ball.

In "Songbird" — an Emmylou Harris box set — Harris says "Fayssoux has one of my favorite voices."

In addition to the renowned vocals of Fayssoux McLean, the trio will consist of two more master craftsmen of music.

Buffalo native Freddie Vanderford will be playing harmonica, washboard and rhythm guitar. The South Carolina Arts Commission and the University of South Carolina’s McKissick Museum have announced Vanderford will receive the 2010 Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award in May at the State House in Columbia.

The award was created in 1987 to recognize lifetime achievement in traditional arts.

Vanderford — who started playing guitar at age 10 and harmonica in junior high — learned many of his harmonica skills while studying under blues legend Peg Leg Sam in 1969. That is when Vanderford — who was in 10th grade at the time — said he really began to learn how to express his emotions with his instrument.

The third member of the trio is Brandon Turner — an exceptional guitarist who has performed on more than 20 albums in local and Nashville studios.

Turner remembers getting his first electric guitar at age 9, "and the story goes on from there," he said. Some guitar players that have influenced Turner are Chet Atkins, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He is influenced by the music in general of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Fiona Apple, Tori Amos and Robert Johnson.

Everyone is encouraged to attend and support the arts in Union County.

“We’re just really excited about them,” said arts council board president Bennie Giles. “This is something completely different from what we’ve done.”

She knows anyone who attends the event will enjoy themselves.

Tickets are $8 for Union County Arts Council Members and $10 for non-members. For more information contact the Union County Arts Council at (864) 429-2817.