Upcoming Bluegrass Related Events

The weekly Tuftonboro Country, Bluegrass & Gospel Music Jam Session continues at the historic Old White Church of Center Tuftonboro every Tuesday from 6:30 until about 9:30 pm.  Fans of country, bluegrass and gospel music are invited to enjoy an evening of music. There is no admission charge, a donation is requested to help cover operational expenses.  The Church is located on Route 109A, just across from the Tuftonboro General Store & Post Office.  Everyone is invited to attend the jam session while enjoying cookies and a cup of coffee.  For more info call Joe at 569-3861.

Acoustic bluegrass jam. All levels and abilities welcome.

Bluegrass Tuesdays began in Central Square in Cambridge in September of 1993 and has since grown to host regional and national artists on stage and serve as a weekly gathering place for the local bluegrass community. For 27 years, Tuesday Night Bluegrass at The Cantab Lounge was hosted by Geoff Bartley, about whom reviewer Nate Dow wrote, “If Massachusetts were ever to appoint a Folk Laureate, the honor would have to go to the one and only Geoff Bartley." Geoff welcomed nationally-known bluegrass artists to the stage such as Dale Ann Bradley, Tony Trischka, Darol Anger, David Grier, Missy Raines, Jim Hurst, Chris Jones, Molly Tuttle, and the late James King. Bluegrass Tuesdays have also been a place where many bluegrass musicians have met and “cut their teeth”, including members of The Infamous Stringdusters, Crooked Still, Della Mae, The Gibson Brothers, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, The Po' Ramblin' Boys, Mile Twelve, and Joy Kills Sorrow. Bluegrass Tuesdays are now hosted by Tony Watt and held at chef Chris Parsons' restaurant Lily P's Fried Chicken & Oysters in Kendall Square in Cambridge.

The brainchild of bassist and impresario Zachariah Hickman, Barnstar! features some of the Boston area’s most dynamic seasoned musicians: Mark Erelli (vocals, guitar), Charlie Rose (banjo, vocals), Taylor Armerding (mandolin, vocals), and Jake Armerding (fiddle, vocals). Their music resonates with audiences who appreciate the artistry of traditional bluegrass as well as those who are drawn to the band’s innovative and boundary-pushing approach. The band continues to record and perform, while navigating solo careers and high profile side-person gigs (with the likes of Josh Ritter, Rodney Crowell, Lori McKenna, Elephant Revival, Ray LaMontagne, ROSIN, and many more).

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.

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.

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.