Past Bluegrass Related Events

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present Winnipeg, Canada-based roots music quintet The Duhks at Next Stage on Saturday, November 9 at 7:30 pm.  The Grammy nominated and Juno award-winning band’s original members - Jessee Havey (vocals), Tania Elizabeth (fiddle), Jordan McConnell (guitar, pipes, whistles, vocals), Leonard Podolak (banjo, vocals) and Scott Senior (percussion) - have reunited after a three-year hiatus.  Vermont-based, Americana, folk and roots music duo Red Heart The Ticker will open the show. The Duhks are one of the most musically adventurous bands to come from the roots scene in the past decade.  Founded in 2002, the Canadian acoustic roots band boasts a diverse collection of musical influences, including old-time, jazz, Celtic folk and even punk.  For nearly a decade, they blended these disparate genres into an irresistible sound that simultaneously feels both traditional and modern.  That sound found on four stunning studio albums (produced by the likes of Bela Fleck and Tim O’Brien) captured the hearts of numerous fans and has received extensive critical acclaim.  The Duhks’ 2005 self-titled record won the Best Roots & Traditional Album Juno Award, and, in 2007, they were nominated for a GRAMMY in the Best Country Performance category. After spending up to ten months of each year touring, The Duhks experienced a band-wide case of burnout, and all five members went their separate ways in 2010.  However, they’d come together for the occasional show, and have such a great time performing with one another that calling an end to their hiatus seemed only natural.  In addition to the performing old favorites, The Duhks agreed that adding new music to their mix of folk, old-time, Canadian soul, gospel, Brazilian samba, zydeco and Irish music would be … Read More »

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present an evening of bluegrass and Americana music with the award-winning Claire Lynch Band and double banjo bluegrass quartet Hot Mustard at Next Stage on Friday, November 22 at 7:30 pm. The Claire Lynch Band - Claire (guitar, vocals), Matt Wingate (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Mark Schatz (bass, clawhammer banjo, percussive dance) and Bryan McDowell (mandolin, fiddle, vocals) has the innate ability to perfectly interpret the beauty, subtlety and genre-defying sophistication of Claire’s music.  By any measure, the quartet is high on the bluegrass world’s A-List, with musicians whose accolades include three International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Female Vocalist of the Year awards and two Grammy nominations for Best Bluegrass Album (Claire), two IBMA Bass Player of the Year awards (Mark), MerleFest Doc Watson Guitar Champion (Matt ) and an unprecedented first-place win in three instrument categories at the Walnut Valley National Flatpicking Championship (Bryan). Long recognized and praised as a creative force in acoustic music, Claire Lynch is a pioneer who continually pushes the boundaries of the bluegrass genre.  Her harmonies have graced the recordings of many stellar musicians, including Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Jonathan Edwards, Dolly Parton, Donna the Buffalo, Pam Tillis, Jesse Winchester and Ralph Stanley.  Dolly Parton credits Claire with “one of the sweetest, purest and best lead voices in the music business today.”  Equally gifted as a songwriter, her songs have been recorded by The Seldom Scene, Patty Loveless, Kathy Mattea, The Cherryholmes, The Whites and others. "Claire Lynch is a rare talent indeed.  I love to listen to her and I love to sing with her."  -  Linda Ronstadt "she has one of the sweetest, purest and best lead voices in the music … Read More »

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 »

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 »

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 at Next Stage on Saturday, November 24 at 7:30 pm. The Lonely Heartstring Band is Boston-based, Berklee College of Music graduates George Clements (guitar, vocals) Patrick M'Gonigle (fiddle, vocals) Charles Clements (bass, vocals) Matt Witler (mandolin) and Gabe Hirshfeld (banjo).  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, and winning the 2015 IBMA Momentum Award.  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 In five decades together, the Stockwell Brothers have played everything from classic bluegrass to folk rock to world beat music.  Bruce, Barry, Alan and Kelly Stockwell’s music continues to span traditional and progressive styles, but their well-honed signature sound spotlights new singer/songwriter material recast with varied rhythms and original arrangements featuring three-part vocal harmonies.  They 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. Next Stage is located at 15 Kimball Hill in downtown Putney, VT.  Tickets are $20 Advance / $24 At the Door.  For information, call 802-387-0102.  Advance … Read More »

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present contemporary bluegrass and folk quartet The Stockwell Brothers at the Next Stage Cafe on Saturday, March 16 at 7:00 pm.  To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, JD McCliments Pub will offer an Irish dinner starting at 6:00 pm, while the Stockwells will explore the connections between folk/bluegrass music and the music of Ireland. 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. “Tasty arrangements; brotherly harmonies, perfectly blended instruments and great songs.” – Music Revue 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. Next Stage is located at 15 Kimball Hill in downtown Putney, VT.  Admission is by a $10 suggested donation at the door.  Next Stage will provide a wine and beer cash bar.  For information, call 802-387-0102.  For more information, visit www.stockwellbrothers.com,  www.twilightmusic.org and www.nextstagearts.org.