Upcoming Bluegrass Related Events

Mole Hill Theatre presents contemporary bluegrass and folk music quartet The Stockwell Brothers Band on Friday, November 17 at 7:30 pm. Bruce, Barry, Alan and Kelly Stockwell's music spans traditional and progressive styles, but their trademark acoustic sound features new singer/songwriter material recast with banjo, alternative rhythms and three-part harmonies.  They cover straight ahead bluegrass songs, finger picked acoustic guitar ballads, full tilt breakdowns and traditional mandolin tunes mixed in with more unusual fare - Americana melodies riding world beat grooves and Celtic, jazzy, even neo-classical instrumentals. Featuring 2005 Merlefest bluegrass banjo contest winner Bruce Stockwell, The Stockwell Brothers have performed alongside artists from Bill Monroe, Doc Watson and Earl Scruggs to Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Jonathan Edwards and Asleep At The Wheel, recorded with Mike Auldridge and Phil Rosenthal of the bluegrass supergroup The Seldom Scene, and toured throughout the United States and in Canada and Europe.  As a trio, they have released two albums, Stobro and Leave My Dreams Alone.  “Tasty arrangements; brotherly harmonies, perfectly blended instruments and great songs.” – Music Revue Mole Hill Theatre is located at 789 Gilsum Mine Road in Alstead, NH.  Tickets are $10 At the Door.  This is an all ages listening event.  BYOB.  For information, call 603-352-2585.  For more information, visit www. stockwellbrothers.com.

Darol Anger on his holiday show: “We think that the midwinter season has always been a highly emotional and special time for human beings, and we mean to celebrate in music the many layers of spirituality and celebration that has always happened around this time. Emy's a genius at finding songs that elevate peoples' spirits, and her long career working with children has helped her hone her talent. We’ll bring some amazingly talented younger musicians that our audience will love. Our band is not afraid to tap deep emotions, whether they be humor, love, or wassailin’.” "Emy & I take our job very seriously in any time of year, but especially now. Any serious entertainer needs to consider their role as a healer of some sort. Music has served this very purpose since it began thousands of years ago, and that hasn’t changed, no matter how many notes and chords we add in there. This is the time of year when everything seems to have died and we have to trust that everything will rise again. For most humans, this seems to be a time for reflection, for spiritual questioning and renewal, family, and celebration or mourning of what we have gained and lost throughout the previous year-or years. "We believe that what people mostly could use right now is to be together in a positive environment which encourages sharing. This year, all Americans have had real setbacks and fractious difficulties and it seems certain that things will get worse next year. Everyone- and I mean everyone- will need spiritual strength for the challenges that are rising. We’re going to support that frame of mind in our concert, with some really beautiful songs from all traditions, … Read More »

Full of energy and surprise, wit and subtlety, Boston based Twisted Pine has quickly become one of the most acclaimed young string bands in the Northeast

Master Italian guitarist has dazzled the word for 4 decades with his love of bluegrass and American roots music

On Saturday, January 13th, The Blue Moon Coffeehouse in Rockland, MA hosts a CD release party for Sparrow Blue. Sparrow Blue is Katy Boc and Todd Nickerson. They met in 2014 and began writing songs together after discovering a mutual love for American roots music. At the time they were each playing in different bands, but it wasn't long until they began performing together as a duo. Since then, Sparrow Blue has performed at venues such as the Spire Center for the Performing Arts, Club Passim, TOAD Cambridge, Atwoods Tavern, and Rockwood Music Hall. In November of 2015 they released their debut album,Mabel,which Red Line Roots called "a sweet rootsy sound that is clean and crisp as it displays hints of Americana goodness" and South Shore Living called "lilting, dark, and spellbindingly catchy." Although Katy plays the guitar on this song, she's actually known for her killer fiddling! The address is 45 Webster St. Rockland. Tickets are $10 at the door. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and there's an open mic in between sets by the band so bring along your instruments. The band's website is https://www.thesparrowblue.com/video. You can also check out these Youtube links: https://youtu.be/OnocSGQ_OzY and https://youtu.be/aqyvCWQxgok.

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present International Bluegrass Music Association Banjo Player of the Year Tony Trischka and his band Territory, plus contemporary folk and bluegrass quartet The Stockwell Brothers Band at Next Stage on Saturday, January 20 at 7:30 pm.   In a consistently adventurous musical career that spans nearly half a century, Tony Trischka has established himself as one of America’s foremost visionaries of the five-string banjo and perhaps the most influential banjo player in the roots music world.  Widely regarded as the most innovative banjoist of his generation, Tony’s dexterity and restless creative spirit have inspired generations of fans and acoustic musicians, including Bela Fleck – one of his early students. Tony’s influence in igniting the world of progressive acoustic music permanently altered the face of American roots music.  He has been a key figure in opening the banjo and acoustic music in general to wider influences, having shared the stage and studio with the likes of Steve Martin, David Grisman, John Denver, The Boston Pops, Jorma Kaukonen, Sam Bush, Chris Thile, Peter Rowan, Earl Scruggs and countless others.  He has appeared on “Late Night with David Letterman,” Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" and "Mountain Stage," and is featured on the soundtrack of the film “Driving Miss Daisy’ and the theme song of the NPR show “Books on the Air.”  In 2012, Tony was awarded the United States Artists Friends Fellow in recognition of the excellence of his work.  Tony embraces all manner of possibilities, while keeping one foot firmly planted in the traditional bluegrass roots that first inspired him to make music. Tony’s instrumental expertise and boundless imagination are as sharp as ever on his latest album "Great Big … Read More »