The 2016 “Christmas in the Valley” concert tour will kick off its 13th season this December. This one of a kind Christmas show features traditional, contemporary, and original Christmas music performed with acoustic instruments and vocals.
The music got its start back in 2003 with Blackstone Valley Bluegrass’ Bob Dick’s solo CD “Tidings of Comfort and Joy” which in turn, got New Hampshire songwriter Rick Lang interested in writing original Christmas songs and the subsequent recording of his “The Season of My Heart” CD. The first Christmas in the Valley concert was held in Northbridge MA, and then Stratham, NH. The concerts series eventually expanded to the hometowns of the various performers of the show as well as a couple of new venues.
Today, Blackstone Valley Bluegrass along with Rick Lang, Karen Lincoln Wilber, Roger Williams, and Amy Gallatin have put together a broad spectrum of Christmas music set in an acoustic style that is truly a unique experience. Due to strong attendance and growing interest, “Christmas in the Valley” is fast becoming an annual tradition all across New England; its popularity growing each year. The 2016 tour will include a total of five concerts in three states (NH, MA, and CT).
“Christmas in the Valley” showcases holiday music from…
A New England favorite, Blackstone Valley Bluegrass Band has garnered a reputation for high-energy shows laced with powerful three and four part harmonies and fast but tasteful picking, coupled with winning on-stage camaraderie. Their show will feature songs from Bob Dick’s solo bluegrass Christmas project Tidings Of Comfort And Joy performed by the Bluegrass “fab four”…Bob Dick, Dave Dick, Ken Taylor and Dan Nowlan.
Acclaimed vocalist Amy Gallatin will be lending her trademark western flavor to this annual Christmas show, blending upbeat, fun and familiar songs with more contemplative quiet music along with her partner, renowned resophonic guitarist Roger Williams. Amy is a past member of the ensemble for WSFB’s annual Joy for the Children with local television personality Scot Haney, filmed at the Hartford CT. Stage and televised during the holidays.
Rick Lang & Friends will perform songs from The Season Of My Heart as well as Rick’s most recent CD release That’s What I Love About Christmas. Their part of the show will feature the sparkling vocals of Karen Lincoln Wilber. Karen is the former lead vocalist for the popular New England bluegrass group “Waystation”. Award winning songwriter Rick Lang’s Gospel album “Look To the Light”, released in 2010 was nominated for a Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award and International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award for Gospel Recorded Event Of The Year. In October 2015, Rick was honored with an award for Holiday Song Of The Year (“That’s What I Love About Christmas”) by the IMEA at their annual Awards Show at the Marietta Performing Arts Center, Marietta GA.