24th annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival

February 13 – 15, 2009

Dailey & Vincent (L-R) Jamie Dailey, Jeff Parker, Darrin Vincent, Joe Dean and Adam Haynes

Steep Canyon Rangers (L-R) Charles Humphrey III, Woody Platt, Mike Guggino, Graham Sharp and Nicky Sanders

Claire Lynch

Download 2009 Joe Val Bluegrass Festival Flyer (pdf)

Ticket Prices

• Weekend Pass – Adult $90 and Youth (16 and under) $30
• Single Day Friday – Adult $25 and Youth $10
• Single Day Saturday – Adult $50 and Youth $20
• Single Day Sunday – Adult $30 and Youth $15
• Additional Discounts for BBU Members
• Children under 12 and accompanied by adults are free all weekend

Boston, MA — The Boston Bluegrass Union (BBU) is proud to present the 24th annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, Presidents Day Weekend, February 13 – 15, 2009, at the Sheraton Framingham, Framingham, MA. This beloved winter tradition boasts a full weekend of top-notch bluegrass entertainment, including performances by some of the best national and regional bands, over forty master classes and workshops, the BBU’s acclaimed Academy for Kids, directed slow jams, a thriving vendor floor with a great array of bluegrass-related merchandise (including instruments, CDs, memorabilia, and more), round-the-clock picking, and more. All of this without having to brave the elements or leave the cozy confines of the Sheraton Framingham!

Established in 1985, the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival honors the legacy of the late Joe Val, a pioneering vocalist, musician, and bandleader whose riveting performances and generous nature did much to spread the popularity of bluegrass in the Northeast. From its humble beginnings as a local tribute to Joe and the regional bluegrass scene, the festival has grown to become one of the premier bluegrass events in the country. In 2006, the 21st Joe Val Bluegrass Festival won the prestigious Event of the Year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association.

This year’s Main Stage features a “who’s who” of the bluegrass world, including rapidly rising stars Dailey and Vincent, who stunned the bluegrass community with a staggering six wins at this year’s IBMA awards (Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Emerging Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year). Other award-winners appearing at Joe Val include traditional bluegrass powerhouse Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, 2006 Emerging Artist of the Year the Steep Canyon Rangers, beguiling vocalist Claire Lynch, first generation great Bobby Osborne, and 2008’s Guitar Player of the Year Josh Williams and his band. Local favorites the Dry Branch Fire Squad will be on hand, and newgrass luminaries the Kruger Brothers will present the local debut of their new Bluegrass Project, featuring mandolin great Adam Steffey and legendary fiddler Bobby Hicks. A full list of performers, with bios, is available on www.bbu.org.

Dedicated to preserving the past and nurturing the future, The Boston Bluegrass Union will continue their commitment to education with daylong Master Classes kicking off the festival on Friday.On Saturday and Sunday, there will be over forty Workshops for festival patrons of all ages that examine the instrumental and vocal techniques unique to bluegrass, as well as the music’s history and culture. The BBU’s Joe Val Academy for Kids enters its seventh year, presenting a free, intensive three-day program that teaches children (ages 5 – 17) how to play, sing, and perform bluegrass music.

The music and activities take place outside the festival, too. The band Special Consensus will present Bluegrass in the Schools with area school visits on Thursday and Friday before the festival begins. The BBU will also showcase a new, innovative BBU Bluegrass in the Schools program to area teachers and bands at the Festival. The presentation includes a bluegrass band, slide show, and live narrative tracing the history and development of bluegrass from its musical and cultural roots. Visit the festival website for further details on the extensive education offerings, schedules and registration details.

About The Sheraton Framingham

The Sheraton Framingham is conveniently located just 18 miles west of Boston, directly adjacent to the Mass Pike (Rt. 90, Exit 12) and Rt. 9. At this time, all hotel rooms are sold out at the Sheraton, but rooms are available nearby at the Marriott Residence Inn (508-370-0001) and the Natick Courtyard Marriott (508-655-6100). We strongly encourage early ticket purchases, as the festival has sold out in past years.

About The Boston Bluegrass Union

The Boston Bluegrass Union is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all volunteer organization, dedicated to preserving and promoting this original American music genre. Celebrating our 33rd season, the BBU is the premier source for events, education, and information on bluegrass music in the Northeast.