Michael Martin Murphey - Buckaroo Bluegrass (Rural Rhythm Records)

Owensboro, KY — Officials from RiverPark Center and the Owensboro Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau have announced the addition of Michael Martin Murphey to the roster of talent coming to the 8th annual Bluegrass Returns to its Roots Festival, April 2-4, 2009 at RiverPark Center. Murphey will be performing at the festival on Friday night. He will also be participating in activities surrounding the festival on Saturday.

Michael Martin Murphey a native Texan is now in the Western Music Hal of Fame. He’s won numerous awards and honors from such organizations as the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, Academy of Country Music, The Grammy^® Awards, Country Music Association Awards and a plethora of other top honors. In addition to hundreds of honors, Murphey has also been featured on “The Tonight Show” with David letterman, “Austin City Limits,” CMT, TNN, “Rolling Stone Magazine,” “TIME” magazine, “New York Times” and numerous other shows and publications.

Michael Martin Murphey with over 35 albums, several hits and millions of sales, is possibly best known for his hit, “Wildfire.” After years of success in the country and cowboy genre of music, Murphey embarked on a Bluegrass project that has the industry all a buzz, “Buckaroo Blue Grass.” “Buckaroo Blue Grass” already has two singles that are soaring up the Bluegrass charts, “Carolina in the Pines” and “Lone Cowboy.” Terry Herd from the Bluegrass Radio Network said, “Michael Martin Murphey’s music has always had an uncanny ability to reach across genres and generations to connect with fans of all kinds of music. With ‘Buckaroo Blue Grass,’ he’s taken that gift a step further by scoring a direct hit on the heart’s of bluegrass fans both young and old, and believe me, that is not an easy thing to do!”

The RiverPark Center is no stranger to world class festivals and bluegrass music. The RiverPark Center hosted the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Annual Award Show from 1992 to 1995.

The RiverPark Center is adjacent to the International Bluegrass Music Museum. Patrons of the festival will enjoy the nostalgia of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, and then walk just steps into the state of the art performing arts hall to see some of the hottest groups in bluegrass.

This year’s festival equals the top awards shows, with Grammy^®, IBMA, and SPBGMA, award- winning talent scheduled to perform during the course of the festival. Artists include:

• Dailey and Vincent
• Dale Ann Bradley
• Steep Canyon Rangers
• J.D. Crowe and the New South
• Michael Cleveland and Flamekeepers
• Bradley Walker
• Lonesome River Band
• The Josh Williams Band

Also appearing at the festival are nine showcase bands, featuring:

• RiverBottom
• Highway 41
• Local Yokels
• Sweet Tea
• Mountain Harmony
• Chasin’ Chickens
• Kings Highway
• Blackberry Jam
• Up-and-Gone.

In all, seventeen bands will play at this year’s festival with more special guests and events to be announced.

In addition to the many exciting concerts offered during this year’s festival, guests can enjoy special packages and tours including: IBMM tours, IBMM film presentations, bus tours to Rosine, KY (Bill Monroe’s childhood home), workshops, tours of the Owensboro Area Museum of Science and History, lunches and/or dinner at the world renowned Moonlite Bar-BQ, clogging exhibitions, artist meet and greets and other exciting events. The Owensboro Daviess County CVB is offering affordable all- inclusive packages for guests taking advantage of all of the exciting events surrounding this three day bluegrass music extravaganza.

Special pricing for the two- and three- day inclusive packages are available through the CVB at www.visitowensboro.com or by calling 1-800-489-1131. For more information or for invidividual ticket and package prices to this year’s festival guests are encouraged to call the RiverPark Center Box office at 1-877-639-6978 or visit www.riverparkcenter.org. Tickets prices start at $30 for a one day pass or $75 for a three day pass.