Upcoming Bluegrass Related Events

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The Del McCoury Band

Groton Hill Music Center 122 Old Ayer Road, Groton, MA

Bluegrass legend Del McCoury brings his band to the Concert Hall at Groton Hill March 22! “Almost unimaginable, McCoury’s sixth decade in a half-century of bluegrass bliss brings new triumphs, new collaborations, and new music.” — Opry.com For more than 50 years, Del McCoury’s music has defined authenticity for hard-core bluegrass devotees as well as a growing number of fans only vaguely familiar with the genre. Del is something special, a living link to the days when bluegrass was made only in hillbilly honkytonks, at schoolhouse shows and on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, yet also a commandingly vital presence today, from primetime and late night TV to major music festivals.

CCM Bluegrass Band Scramble

Concord Conservatory of Music 1317 Main Street, Concord, MA

Join the CCM Bluegrass Band Scramble and become a member of a new band for the afternoon. Presented by the Concord Conservatory of Music, this event is perfect for anyone who loves bluegrass and wants to perform with other enthusiastic and experienced musicians. On Saturday, January 20th from 12:00 to 4:00 pm, accomplished banjo player and CCM faculty member, Rich Stillman, will lead the Scramble with CCM faculty and Bluegrass Jam leader, Maxfield Anderson. To create well-formed bands, individuals sign up for the Scramble and are paired with other musicians by picking names out of a hat, one for each instrument. Bandmates then have over two hours to practice and prepare songs and stage patter for a three-song turn performing for a live audience, with a professional sound system and engineer. There is no need to feel stressed; the Bluegrass Band Scramble is a competition-free zone. It is an opportunity to learn and hone skills while having fun with like-minded individuals. To reserve your spot in advance, participants can sign up and pay the $35 registration fee at ConcordConservatory.org. But if you decide to join us at the last minute, don't worry! You can still register at the door on January 20th. Join us for a free live concert and enjoy great bluegrass music! Following the Scramble, everyone is invited to attend a live and free concert at 4:00 pm. The newly formed bands will perform and we welcome the public to enjoy great bluegrass music. If you have any questions, please call 978-369-0010 or email [email protected]. Concord Conservatory of Music is the area's non-profit community music school located at 1317 Main Street, West Concord.

$35

Mile Twelve, A Bluegrass Concert

Concord Conservatory of Music 1317 Main Street, Concord, MA

Don't miss the chance to enjoy a spectacular bluegrass show by a band that pushes the limits of the genre and creates new musical possibilities. Mile Twelve is back at CCM for a special performance on Saturday, January 20th at 7:00 pm. With a mix of original songs and traditional tunes, the band showcases a fresh and dynamic bluegrass sound. You'll be drawn into the songs from their latest album, Close Enough to Hear, released in February of 2023, which feature the warmth and innovation that have earned them an international reputation as one of the most exciting bands in contemporary acoustic music. Each band member brings their influences and interpretations to their music, resulting in modern, well-crafted, and relevant songs. The lineup includes Catherine “BB” Bowness (banjo), Korey Brodsky (mandolin and guitar), Ella Jordan (fiddle), Evan Murphy (guitar, lead vocals), and guest bassist Chris Sartori. They are known for their originality, talent, and commitment to addressing societal issues—they use lyrics to tell meaningful stories. The Mile Twelve Bluegrass concert is part of the 2023-2024 CCM Concerts & Lecture Series. We thank our Lead Sponsor, Emerson Health, for supporting the 2023-2024 CCM Concert & Lecture Series and our Supporting Sponsor, Middlesex Savings Bank. Our sponsors help us bring high-quality and entertaining concerts to our community.

$25

Suzy Thompson

notloB Parlour Concerts at Fivesparks 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA

(Harvard, Mass) notloB Parlour Concerts and its patrons are very fortunate that Californian Suzy Thompson will be joining Jim Kweskin at his “extravaganza” at the Regent Theater in Arlington on February 4 (the show is sold out) and to present workshops at the Berklee School of Music, as she has selected it as one of two presenters for side concerts, notloB on February 7, and a house concert in Roslindale the next day. Contact notloB for details. Suzy Thompson is a “musician’s musician” who plays fiddle and guitar alongside artists like Jim Kweskin, Geoff Muldaur, Del Rey, Ann Savoy, etc. https://www.ericandsuzy.com/suzy-bio.html This rare solo concert will include blues, Cajun and Old-Time material.  Suzy will also perform material from two albums that she’s currently working on. Suzy usually performs with her husband, guitarist Eric Thompson. They live in Berkeley CA where Suzy directs the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention (now in its 20th year). Suzy’s long musical journey dates from touring with British singer Frankie Armstrong when she was still in her teens. In her 20s, she was a founding member of Any Old Time String Band (their Arhoolie album is still in print) and Blue Flame String Band (highly regarded recording on Flying Fish). She has performed and recorded with banjo players Mac Benford (Backwoods Band) and Bill Evans (Bluegrass Intentions) and Cajun accordion legend Danny Poullard (California Cajun Orchestra, 2 award winning albums).  The past 10 years or so have included a landmark blues album with the Texas Sheiks (Geoff Muldaur, Jim Kweskin, Cindy Cashdollar et al), duets with resonator ukulele and guitar goddess Del Rey, and a recent collaboration with Cajun superstar Ann Savoy. Suzy also has recorded with Kathy Kallick and Laurie Lewis, … Read More »

$10 – $20

New Orleans home cookin’ & Southern Rail

First Parish Church of Sudbury 327 Concord Rd, Sudbury

Join Southern Rail on Saturday Feb. 10 for Mardis Gras Night at the First Parish Sudbury .  Enjoy an unforgettable evening of yummy Cajun fare and hot bluegrass!  :>) Dinner will be served at 5 and music will start at 6.

$45

Jake Blount w/ Marcy Marxer and Cathy Fink

Cafe Amici 1640 Whitney Ave, Hamden, CT

Three of America's top roots musicians, together for a special evening. Bluegrass, blues and folk, in the  best tradition of American black and white string band music.

$35

Southern Rail & the Boston Saengerfest Men’s Chorus

Wellesley Hills Congregational Church 207 Washington St., Wellesley Hills, MA

A joyous collaboration between Southern Rail and the renowned Boston Saengerfest Men's Chorus!  Last year's concert was packed.  Not to be missed!

$30

Kaïa Kater

Groton Hill Music Center 122 Old Ayer Road, Groton, MA

“You want some authenticity in your folk music or bluegrass – I give you Kaïa Kater.” – No Depression Montreal-born Grenadian-Canadian Kaïa Kater’s jazz-fueled voice and deft songcraft have garnered acclaim from NPR’s Tiny Desk, The Guardian, Rolling Stone and No Depression. Kaïa draws on influences rooted in Quebec, the Caribbean, and Appalachia, all of which reflect the diversity of her background; her family’s deep ties to the Canadian folk music scene; her college years spent soaking up Appalachian music in West Virginia and her father’s experience growing up in Grenada, arriving in Canada in 1986, after the U.S. invasion. Kaïa released her first EP Old Soul (2013) when she was just out of high school. Since then, she’s gone on to release three more albums, Sorrow Bound (2015), Nine Pin (2016) and Grenades (2018).  For the JUNO-nominated and Polaris Music Prize long-listed Grenades, Kaia leaned into a wide array of sounds and styles in order to convey a broad range of emotions and topics, most notably her Caribbean ancestry and her father’s experience as a refugee in Canada.  In 2020, Kaïa took part in the Slaight Music Residency at the Canadian Film Center, released a new single, and wrote original music for The Porter (BET+ 2022).

Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road

GuitartownCT at Cafe Amici 1640 Whitney Ave, Hamden, CT

Growing up in North Carolina, just down the road from Doc Watson, Liam Purcell leads Cane Mill Road as they perform an eclectic mix of originals and standards. Their powerful arrangements and dynamic stage presence have landed them main stage slots at MerleFest, Grey Fox and Wide-Open Bluegrass. Named Momentum Band of the Year by IBMA in 2019, Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing bands in the industry. In 2022, bandleader Liam Purcell turned heads by sweeping the Rockygrass Instrumental Contests on guitar, mandolin, and banjo, becoming the first person in history to do so.

$30