The Infamous Stringdusters

The Infamous Stringdusters are next up on the playbill of Bluegrass Legends Concerts in Evanston, Ill., which bills itself as “the only running bluegrass and acoustic music concert series in the Chicago area that features national headline bluegrass talent.

Tickets are now on sale for the Stringdusters’ show, scheduled for 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at the American Legion Music Hall, home of the series concerts.

Schooled in tradition yet able to stretch out in jam band style improvisation, endowed with razor-sharp vocals, fiery instrumental abilities and a rapidly growing repertoire of well-crafted original songs and tunes, the Infamous Stringdusters* are as fresh an addition to the bluegrass - make that, the music - scene as has come along in many a year.”They’re young, bright, articulate, immensely talented, and they can sing in the old style or in their own style,” says award-winning Blue Highway guitarist, singer and songwriter Tim Stafford, who produced “Fork In The Road,” the sextet’s February 2007 debut for Sugar Hill.

According to the band’s publicist, “Untangling the threads of the *Infamous Stringdusters*’ origin is nearly impossible, thanks to the breadth of professional associations and friendships that brought its members together in various combinations. Still, a few highlights are worth noting. From the joint tenure that Andy Hall, Jeremy Garrett and Jesse Cobb shared in three-time IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year Ronnie Bowman’s band, The Committee; to the initial encounter between Hall, Chris Eldridge and Chris Pandolfi in Boston, where Hall had graduated from the Berklee School of Music not long before Pandolfi became the first student there admitted with the banjo as his principal instrument; to the lengthy search that resulted in Colorado jamgrass mainstay Travis Book’s joining the band.

“As deep as their individual experience runs, the Infamous Stringdusters are quick to assert that the band is more than the sum of its parts. After a furiously busy year and a half on the road, they’re attuned enough to one another that they complete each others’ sentences. Their closeness of mind and prodigious talents make for tight, quick-moving live shows that sparkle with an infectious energy.”

Tickets for their Sept. 22 show are available by calling 847-573-0443.

Other upcoming shows for the Chicago area concert series are the James King Band and Dan Paisley and The Southern Grass on Oct. 19; the annual Christmas Party with David Davis and the Warrior River Boys on Dec. 15; and The Larry Stephenson Band on Jan. 18.

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Nothin’ Fancy

We’ve been talking all year about this great festival and it is finally here! September 20-22 marks one of the finest events of it’s kind with top notch music, great food, a vast array of vendors and all of it set in one of the most extraordinary places in the whole country, Glen Maury Park in beautiful Buena Vista, VA.

Although the festival does not officially start until Thursday, early arrivers should make plans to join in on the potluck supper on Wednesday. Just bring your favorite covered dish to the park’s pavilion at 6:00pm. Entertainment will be provided by Rockbridge County’s very own Breakin’ Nu Ground and others.

This year’s event will include performances by The Seldom Scene, Marty Raybon & Full Circle, Lost & Found, Steep Canyon Rangers, Williams & Clark Expedition, The James King Band, Larry Stephenson, Dan Paisley & Southern Grass, The Wells Family, The Moron Brothers, Deer Creek Boys, and Mark Templeton & 100 Proof. As if that weren’t't enough, Nothin’ Fancy will grace the stage all 3 days!

New to the Nothin’ Fancy Music Festival is the 1st Annual Nothin’ Fancy Golf Tournament.

If you thought watching the guys on stage was a hoot…try playing golf with them! The tournament will take place on September 19th at 1:00pm at The Vista Links , the course right next to Glen Maury Park.

The tournament is Captain’s Choice, 4 to a team and only $50 per person to play, open to the first 100 people.

All members of Nothin’ Fancy will participate and cash prizes and more will awarded. Proceeds will go toward improvements to Glen Maury Park. For more information, please call 540-461-0954.

For more information, please visit the Nothin’ Fancy Music Festival Web Site.

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Kenny and Amanda Smith

The 21st annual Greater Downstate Indoor Bluegrass Music Festival in Springfield, Ill., routinely draws a stellar lineup of stars, and following suit, a large gathering of bluegrass fans.This year’s festival is Nov. 9-11 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, just off Interstate 55 ( Exit 94) in Illinois’s capital city.

As has become standard in this festival’s first two decades, the 2007 edition will feature a large guitar and instrument show with several dealers offering new, used and vintage wares.

Appearing this year are Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock, the Grascals, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, J.D. Crowe & the New South, [Nothin’ Fancy, Dry Branch Fire Squad, the Dale Ann Bradley Band, The Bankester Family, Kenny & Amanda Smith, The Peasall Sisters and Bobby Hicks.

Hicks is also offering a fiddle camp, limited to 15 intermediate and above level players, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the festival’s opening day. Registration information is available at 217-243-3159, or info@bluegrassmidwest.com.

The festival is promoted by Terry and Jan Lease of Jacksonville, Ill. The Leases are the driving force behind Midwest Bluegrass Festivals, which sponsors several shows annually in the greater Illinois area.

Details of the Springfield festival, including room reservation and ticket sales information, are available at www.bluegrassmidwest.com

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Enjoy listening to good bluegrass? Gospel? Old-time country music? Then the 8^th annual Arbuckle Mountain Bluegrass Festival, located near Wynnewood, OK, is where you need to be. The festival runs from September 9^th to the 15^th.

Early-bird events will begin on Sunday the 9^th with a devotional service at 10 am and at 7 pm, a “Get Acquainted Social” will be held at the pavilion.

Instrument workshops begin Monday and continue thru Wednesday starting at 1 p.m. daily. This years festival also features an open stage on Wednesday, starting at 7 p.m. The open stage is a free event and the public is welcomed to come out and see what a bluegrass festival is all about.

Bands on the schedule include Hard Times Bluegrass, Bill Grant, Cedar Ridge, Salt Grass, Boggy River Bluegrass, Ellis County Bluegrass, Lonesome Prairie, Bluegrass Patriots, Clear River, Star Canyon, 2^nd Time around, Welch Mountain Boys, and Debbie Bridgewater Band.

Camping with water and electric hookups is available with rates starting at $12.00 a night ($10.00 if you stay 7 days or more) and admission to the shows runs from $10.00 to $14.00 dollars for day passes or $30.00 for a 3-day pass. The campground also offers “clean hot showers” on site.

For more information contact Allen or Rosemary Bowen at (405) 665-5226, rosemary@brightok.net or our website: www.arbucklemtbluegrasspark.com.

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Marty Stuart

Ernest Tubb Records shop’s Midnight Jamboree, America’s 2nd longest running radio show, has plenty of bluegrass in the mix for the remainder of the year. The Jamboree is still broadcast every Saturday night on WSM 650-AM, following the Grand Ole Opry and is streaming online from www.wsmonline.com.

If you’re going to be in the Nashville, TN area during one of the broadcasts tickets are always free. For more information head over to the Midnight Jamboree’s web site.

• September 15 - Marty Stuart

• September 29 - Larry Stephenson

• October 6 - Bobby Osborne

• November 2 - 10th annual Sullivan Family Bluegrass Gospel Showcase - Begins at 1:00 PM til ??? Over 40 groups are scheduled to perform. For more information call 251-246-4553

• January 12, 2008 - Rhonda Vincent

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