With new CD out, Krugers head to Europe
While the Kruger Brothers’ new CD, “The Suite,” is just reaching retail outlets, the brothers are on tour this month in their native Europe, including a couple of concerts in their Switzerland homeland. Some of the dates are already sold out.
The tour started last week and will wind down March 18 at Klub Mlejn in Prague in the Czech Republic.
After returning to their adopted country, they start a busy schedule March 29 with a Wild Bean Concert in Lewisburg, Va. They are in Northwilkesboro, N.C., March 30 at the Stone Center for a Wilkes Central High School Fundraiser for the science department. Doors open at 3 p.m.and the concert starts at 3:30.
After April gigs in Palm Beach, Fla., and Maryville, Tenn., the Krugers head to Silver Dollar City, the large theme park outside Branson, Mo., for several appearances at the Bluegrass & BBQ Festival. The Krugers will perform several shows a day from from May 17 to May 21.
The Kruger Brothers - “The Suite”Meanwhile, “The Suite,” released on the brothers’ own Double Time Music label, should attract new listeners into the bluegrass fold with its heavy touch of classical music. That stems from the brothers’ new project,”Music from the Spring: A Romantic Serenade for Banjo, Guitar, Bass & Orchestra.” It was pioneered by banjo player Jens Kruger and the Bangor, Maine, Symphony Orchestra. At the same time, the collaboration inspired a special outreach program that was developed for performances and presentations in schools and community settings, called “Strings Attached.”
The Krugers are promoting “Music from the Spring” with a special YouTube invitation geared toward promoters of symphony orchestras around the country.
Here’s a track listing from “The Suite.”
- Wind In The Wheat (Jens Krüger)
- Choices (Krüger/Krüger/Landsberg)
- Buon Fresco (Jens & Uwe Krüger)
- Theme From ‘Sarah’ (Jens Krüger)
- In The Dome Of The Forest (Jens Krüger)
- Roll Away (Krüger/Krüger/Landsberg)
- High Up In The Sky (Jens Krüger)
- Winterport (Krüger/Krüger/Landsberg)
- Shower (Krüger/Krüger/Landsberg)
- Premonitions I-IV (Jens Krüger)
- The Gentle Touch Of Falling Leaves (Jens Krüger)
- Private Angel (Jens Krüger)
- Theme From ‘Pacific Morning’ (Jens Krüger)
- I Know Some Day (Krüger/Krüger/Landsberg)
Kaufman, heroes pack new CD with 18 tunes
Steve Kaufman - “Mystique”Flatpicking guitar master Steve Kaufman’s latest CD, “Mystique,” contains a couple of firsts.
Track No. 1, “Classical Gas,” which became an unlikely rock hit in the late 1960s for guitarist Mason Williams, is the first fingerpicking tune Kaufman learned. “Mystique’s” final track, “Black Mountain Rag,” is the first flatpicking tune Kaufman mastered.
“You also have all the musical ideas in between then and now,” Kaufman says on his Web site, flatpik.com. “I am proud to play with some of my musical heroes. They are some of the best musicians and human beings in the world.”
And campers have a unique dorm option — they can pick either quiet floors or jam floors.
Getting the skinny on the camps can be accomplished by going to http://www.acoustic-kamp.com.
No commentsS. Carolina festival is a salute to Don Reno
Don Reno
Website:
www.renofest.com
Dates:
March 21-23, 2008
Lineup Highlights
- Ronnie Reno and New Tradition
- Dailey & Vincent
- The Grascals
- Wayne Henderson and Friends
- Movin’On Bluegrass
More Info.
(888) 427-8720 or
Judi@renofest.com
Every year for the past decade, South Carolina has tipped its hat to and remembered the late bluegrass legend Don Reno.
It’s called RenoFest, started in 1998 as a one-day concert in Hartsville, S.C. Since then, it has become a regional tradition and in 2006 was named State Event of the Year by the South Carolina Festival and Event Association.
The event will have its 10-year anniversary run March 21, 22 and 23 in the historic Center Theater in downtown Hartsville.
The lineup includes Dailey & Vincent, the Grascals, Wayne Henderson and Friends, Movin’On Bluegrass and Ronnie Reno and the New Tradition.
The festival is also home to South Carolina’s state band, banjo and guitar competitions.
Free festival events include a downtown hoe-down on Friday evening and an Easter Sunday gospel sing.
Even though Reno became a bluegrass icon with his songwriting and prowess on guitar and banjo, ironically his home state has only a handful of bluegrass festivals, according to RenoFest’s Web site.
Reno took Earl Scruggs’ famous three-fingered roll and embellished it with his own style, which is still emulated by several of today’s hottest pickers. He gained national fame with his work with Red Smiley, recording many national hits as Reno and Smiley. In their heyday, they even played shows in Hartsville’s Center Theater, now home of RenoFest.
RenoFest is always held the fourth weekend in March; this year it coincides with a rare, very early Easter.
Here’s a glimpse at the schedule
Friday March 21:
- Bluegrass Band Contest, 1-5 p.m.
- Downtown Hoe-Down & Bar-B-Q 6-9 pm @ Cargill Way, featuring Wayne Henderson & Friends and Movin’ On Bluegrass
- Honky-Tonk Hartsville, 9 p.m. until ? @ Various venues
Saturday March 22: (all events at the Center Theater)
- Guitar and Banjo Competitions, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Afternoon Concerts, 12:30-5 p.m.
- Evening Concerts, 6:30-10 p.m.
Sunday, March 23:
- Easter Sunday Morning Gospel Sing, 9 a.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church (in the Fellowship Hall) at Fourth Street and College Avenue. Featured performers will be the Flowers Family Band.
