Upcoming Bluegrass Related Events

/Events/
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The Lonely Heartstring Band and The Stockwell Brothers Band

Next Stage 15 Kimball Hill, Putney, VT

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present an evening of contemporary bluegrass and folk music with The Lonely Heartstring Band and The Stockwell Brothers Band at Next Stage on Friday, June 30 at 7:30 pm. The Lonely Heartstring Band is Berklee College of Music graduates George Clements, Patrick M'Gonigle, Matt Witler, Gabe Hirshfeld and Charles Clements.  Their music is a combination of old and new styles, melding the sounds of traditional bluegrass with modern songwriting and arranging.  Featuring soulful instrumental virtuosity and soaring three-part harmonies, the quintet has generated a devoted following of music-lovers across North America, performing and headlining at major music festivals and venues since 2012.  Whether it’s a festival stage, theater or intimate listening room, The Lonely Heartstring Band always delivers a dynamic, diverse and heartfelt performance.  “These are musicians of dynamic imagination and massive musical talent” -  Elmore Magazine.  “The Lonely Heartstring Band, may well be a precursor of what bluegrass music will sound like in the future" - Bluegrass Today 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 … Read More »

$18 – $22

Americana Rhythm and Roots Festival

Waterfront Park Merrimac Street, Newburyport, MA

Bring the family to Newburyport's Waterfront Park on Saturday, July 1, from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a free concert featuring roots music performers to benefit the Newburyport Parks. The second annual Americana Rhythm and Roots festival featuring Grammy-nominated Alligator Recording rhythm and blues artist Marcia Ball, blues and soul rock diva artist Nikki Hill, and Rounder Recording bluegrass artists Lonely Heartstring Band.

Free

The Infamous Stringdusters

The Cabot 286 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA

Unlike rock 'n' roll, bluegrass music's boundaries are often defined in very narrow terms and that has caused some bands to carefully consider their place within the genre. But, in order to survive, everything must evolve... even bluegrass. Enter the Infamous Stringdusters, the very model of a major modern bluegrass band. “At a certain point in our career, there was hesitation in calling us a bluegrass band,” guitarist Andy Falco admits. “These days, we’re much more comfortable with that label.” Banjo man Chris Pandolfi echoes the point: “We love bluegrass, but we have been influenced by other genres as much, if not more. When it comes to making music, we always try to be a blank slate and give new songs whatever they need to come to life. We just try to make something good, something that is true to who we are.” On Laws of Gravity, that's exactly what the Infamous Stringdusters — Andy Hall (dobro), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle), and Travis Book (double bass), in addition to Falco and Pandolfi — have done. Their seventh studio set further proves that the band's collective whole is far greater than the sum of its individual parts, as the song selection and pitch-perfect performances weighs the Stringdusters' appeal to traditional fans against their musical quest to attract new listeners. It's a balance that comes naturally to the band. Here, trad-leaning tunes like “Freedom,” “A Hard Life Makes a Good Song,” “Maxwell,” and “1901: A Canyon Odyssey” pick hard and soar high, letting trade-off solos and layered vocal harmonies work their magic. As it continues on, Gravity reaches its roots deep and wide, but never sacrifices the wings of the band, as exemplified in tracks like “Back Home” … Read More »

$28.50 – $32.50

Ossipee Music Festival

Ossipee Valley Fairgrounds 291 S. Hiram Road, Hiram, ME

The 19th annual Ossipee Valley Music Festival Thursday July 27 - Sunday July 30, 2017 Ossipee Valley Fairgrounds, 291 S. Hiram Road, Hiram ME https://ossipeevalley.com/ [email protected]  The 19th annual Ossipee Valley Music Festival is Maine’s ultimate celebration of blue grass, roots, americana, folk, jazz, and country music over four magical days. Free tickets for kids 17 and under, free tent camping (rv hookups available). Nosh on local food, quench your thirst in the beer and cider tent, and enjoy yoga, workshops, dances, campfire jamming, and lots of family fun. Only 45 minutes from Portland or 2 hours from Boston, in Hiram Maine.   FEATURING: STEEP CANYON RANGERS SIERRA HULL BRITTANY HAAS & JORDAN TICE HARVEY REID & JOYCE ANDERSEN RHYTHM FUTURE QUARTET ANNA & ELIZABETH CELIA WOODSMITH & FRIENDS MILE TWELVE LULA WILES BILL AND THE BELLES NELLIE MCKAY HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN TWISTED PINE KAIA KATER THE LADLES THE BAGBOYS NEW ENGLAND BLUEGRASS THE STRAY BIRDS FÉMINA! UPSTATE RUBDOWN HORSESHOES & HAND GRENADES OLD SALT UNION LOREN & MARK and more! KIDS 17 AND UNDER ARE FREE ALL DAY KIDS ACTIVITIES, FREE KIDS MUSIC CAMP FRI-SUN Tickets: $25-$55 for a day pass, $90-$145 for multi-day passes. Special “After Dark” tickets available for Friday and Saturday night 6PM-1AM, they are $20 off the full day price. Camping: RV Hookups Available, beautiful flat campsites nestled in the tall pines. Tent camping is free! Other fun: beer tent, local food, artisan vendors, yoga, workshops, dances, local swimming, & kids activities all day. Daily Headliner Bio’s Saturday: The Steep Canyon Rangers-High powered bluegrass and jam grass, this grammy winning band has recently found acclaim as Steve Martin’s band. Saturday: Nellie McKay - Inimitable songstress, actress, comedian, storyteller. Her … Read More »

$35 – $145

Pemi Valley Bluegrass Festival Band Contest

Pemi Valley Bluegrass Festival Sugar Shack Campground, Thornton, NH

2017 Pemi Valley Bluegrass Festival - Band Competition This is the first annual Pemi Valley Bluegrass Festival band competition. Our goal is to have local/regional working bands perform on the main stage during the competition. The winning band will get to play a 30 minute morning set on the main stage on Saturday August 5, 2017. The winning band will be considered for inclusion in the 2018 festival. Registration Submit a band promo kit including a Demo CD or Full length CD, performance schedule for past 6 months, picture of the band and bio to; Pemi Valley Bluegrass Festival PO Box 486 Plymouth, NH 03264. Call 603-239-2238 for more details. Deadline for submission is July 1, 2017. Rules and Regulations Each band will be allowed to perform one set lasting between thirty to forty-five minutes. Set time will vary based on the number of bands accepted. Bands will be notified prior to the contest. Bands need to adhere to the bluegrass theme and style of music. Traditional, contemporary or old-time are acceptable. Original tunes are a plus. Acoustic instrumentation only, except for bass. No drums or standing percussion allowed. Musicians may only participate in one band for the competition. If accepted, Pemi must be notified in advance of any personnel changes. Failure to comply may result in disqualification. Sound will be provided by Rosewood Sound Prize Money: ?The winning band will receive a $200 cash prize. Fan Favorite Audience members will receive a voting ballot when they enter the festival. Audience members will be able to cast votes up to 20 minutes after the last band has performed. The top three bands will be presented to the judges for final decision. Judging There will be … Read More »

The Pemi Valley Bluegrass Festival

Sugar Shack Campground Route 175, Thornton, NH

Aug 2 - 5 at the Sugar Shack Campground, Thornton, NH. Our 25th year of celebrating Bluegrass "Music in the Mountains" http://pemivalleybluegrass.com for more info.

Southern Rail at Pemi Valley

Pemi Valley Bluegrass Festival Sugar Shack Campground, Rt. 175, Thornton, NH

Southern Rail  brings their irrepressible good humor, as well as their trademark lush harmonies and sparkling banjo, guitar and mandolin to the 25th anniversary bash at Pemi. The group is celebrating their 39th year with the release of their 13th recording. Be sure to come over and say hi!  :>)

2017 Oldtone Roots Music Festival

Cool Whisper Farm 1011 Co. Rd 21, Hillsdale, NY

Featuring traditional Mountain Fiddling, Bluegrass, Early Swing Jazz, Classic Country, Brass, Contra and Cajun music.  A family-friendly camping festival, with hands-on instrument workshops taught by world-class musicians, kid’s activities, farm-to-table food, instrument and band contests, libations, main, dance, and workshop stages.

$20 – $160

Oldtone Roots Music Festival

Cool Whisper Farm 1011 Co. Rd 21, Hillsdale, NY

Third Annual Oldtone Roots Music Festival 4 Days of Music, Food, Dance & Picker’s Friendly Camping for all ages! at Cool Whisper Farm at 1011 Co Rd 21, Hillsdale, NY 12529 www.oldtonemusicfestival.com Foghorn Stringband (Portland OR) The Revelers (Louisiana) Jesse Lege (Louisiana/Texas) Roochie Toochie & the Ragtime Shepherd Kings (Nashville) Bill and the Belles (Johnson City TN) Cocek! Brass Band (Boston) The Po’ Rambin’ Boys (Sevierville TN) Down Hill Stugglers (Brooklyn) Run Mountain (VT/MA) Moonshine Holler (Tyringham MA) Easy Rid’in Papas (Sheffield MA) Bear Minimum (CT/NH) The Feinberg Brothers (Long Island) Hopalong Andy (Brooklyn) Hilary Hawke (Brooklyn) Tara Linhardt (NY/VA) Gold Hope Duo (Oldtone 2016 Band contest winners!) And MUCH MORE to be announced soon! Stay tuned for more information on tickets sales, how to volunteer, as well as the many improvements to the festival for 2017! Plus info on ongoing additions to the amazing lineup, camping details, hands-on workshops, band & instrument contests, the amazing food & craft vending, and children’s activities details all to follow very soon. And don’t forget the great Cajun, Contra, Swing and Square dancing in one of the greatest dance tents in the northeast! Save money, support the festival and help make it even better by buying Early Bird Tickets! Just a few of the many improvements we are currently working on… Main Stage will be moved to the main day-parking field used in 2016! The large long tent used for 2016 workshop will be made available for the main stage sitting area for shade. The Workshop Tent will be moved to the 2016 Main Stage area. No RV fees! We are dedicated to capping the attendance to maintain the same intimate vibe we all loved in 2016; tickets will … Read More »

David Davis and the Warrior River Boys

Belleville Congregational Church 300 High Street, Newburyport, MA

David Davis and the Warrior River Boys have been performing traditional bluegrass for over thirty years.  An Alabama native and member of the Alabama Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, David Davis is the frontman for the group and is an accomplished practitioner of the Bill Monroe mandolin technique. Other members of the band include Robert Montgomery on banjo, Marty Hays on bass and vocals, Stan Wilemon on the guitar and singing lead and harmony vocals, and Phillip James who plays fiddle, guitar, mandolin and bass.   “To give them their proper due, Davis albums should come leather-bound as is afforded the finest classic writing… Fresh, vibrant, and inventive, David and the Band have ideally captured their truly unique approach to bluegrass.” Donald Teplyske-The Lonesome Review.   “Whether festivals, big city nightclubs, concert halls or local coffeehouses…frontman David Davis and the Warrior River Boys jam a big Bluegrass wallop into a concise package for today’s audiences…hard-charging energy that makes it stand out from the pack” Bluegrass Unlimited.

$30