Split Rail Records, Appalachian State University’s student-run record label, will host a showcase of local musicians on King Street from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m Friday.

The event is called Down on the Corner and will feature artists such as Hidden Still, From Bears and Redleg Husky in various venues including the Mast General Store, the Jones House and High Country Press.

“It’s a central location in Boone that is close to everyone and is easy to get to,” Hidden Still bassist Michael Milligan said. “The venues were chosen based on availability and how they would cater to different artists needs.”

Milligan is also a junior music industry studies major and a member of Split Rail’s marketing committee. Split Rail is made up of music industry majors who take on the various roles of a fully functional record label, such as artists and repertoire, publishing and recording.

The showcase is completely free except for for refreshments, which will be served at the Jones House from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m.

Down on the Corner also coincides with October’s Art Crawl, which already brings substantial foot traffic to King Street.

“Our hope was that having the showcase on the corner of the busiest part of King Street would help attract both the Appalachian student population as well as the Boone community at large,” said Cam Haas, Split Rail president and showcase performer.

“We’ve never worked with Split Rail before but we’re really excited about this event,” Redleg Husky member Misa Giroux said. “I’ve always believed in supporting any kind of music as much as possible, and there’s a lot of talent in Boone.”

The event will feature three separate sets at its respective venues throughout the course of the night, starting at 3 p.m. in the Mast General Store and ending in High Country Press with headliners Hidden Still and From Bears.

“You get to hear something you might never have come across,” Giroux said. “Not to mention the fact that you could see a band busking on King Street one year and performing at MerleFest the next – you never know.”

Story: COLIN MOORE, Senior A&E Reporter