A mix of national and regional bands has been booked for a new bluegrass festival Aug. 8-10, 2008, in Curryville, Mo.

Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper join the James King Band, Karl Schifflet and Big Country and David Davis and the Warrior River Boys in headlining the Back Forty Bluegrass Festival, which is being promoted by Jacksonville, Ill.-based Midwest Bluegrass Festivals.

Other acts scheduled to perform are Midnight Flight, Brightwater Junction, Ozark Alliance and the Missouri River Band.

The festival will also offer camping facilities, jamming areas, workshops, concessions and open stage times. Camping reservation information is available at 573-324-5437.

Curryville is located 8 miles west of Bowling Green, Mo.

The new festival is included in a listing of all 2008 events and even a couple for 2009 being announced by Midwest Bluegrass promoters Terry and Jan Lease.

Here’s a rundown:

Gateway City Bluegrass Festival, Feb. 22-24, 2008, at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet Hotel, in St. Louis. Hotel reservations (mention the festival for special rates) at 314-878-1500.

Headliners include Ralph Stanley II, the Dailey-Vincent Band, David Davis and the Warrior River Boys and Eddie and Martha Adcock. Other features are a guitar show, talent showcase and open stage.

14th annual Naperville Indoor Bluegrass Festival, March 28-30, 2008, at the Holiday Inn Select Hotel in Naperville, Ill. Hotel reservations (again mention the festival) at 630-505-4900.

Headliners are Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, the Dailey-Vincent Band, the James King Band, Monroe Crossing, Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike featuring Becky Buller and Art Stevenson and High Water. Also included during the weekend are an open stage showcase, 24-hour jamming rooms and instrument workshops.

Eighth annual Three Sisters Park Bluegrass Festival, June 6-7, 2008, in Chillicothe, Ill, just north of Peoria. National and regional acts to be announced. All concerts held inside large, ventilated building. Camping with electric hookups is available. Camping information is available at 217-243-3159.

14th annual Bluegrass in the Gardens festival, Aug. 23-24, 2008, at Rockhome Gardens, in the heart of Illinois Amish country near Arcola, Ill. National and regional acts to be announced. Camping (with no hookups available) is offered. Camping information at 217-268-4106.

22nd annual Greater Downstate Indoor Bluegrass Festival, Nov. 8-10, 2008,at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Ill. This is becoming one of the Midwest’s leading fall/winter venues for touring bluegrass bands and routinely features International Bluegrass Music Association award winners and nominees. Bands for the 2008 festival have yet to be announced. The festival includes a large guitar and instrument trade show, workshops, a 24-hour jamming area and an open stage on Saturday mornings.

Room reservations can be made with the Crowne Plaza or adjacent Holiday Inn Express, 217-529-7777. Mentioning the bluegrass festival qualifies for a special weekend rate.

Midwest Bluegrass Festivals has also set the dates for two early 2009 festivals. The Gateway City Bluegrass Festival in St. Louis will be Feb. 27-28 and March 1, and the Naperville (Ill.) Indoor Bluegrass Festival will be March 27-29.

Additional information about the festivals will be posted at www.bluegrassmidwest.com. Contact information is 217-243-3159 or info@bluegrassmidwest.com.

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