With zero mention of Chicago’s gourmet food offerings, Chicago Bluegrass Legends Concerts has announced the next concert in the long-running series will feature the genre bending sounds of Mountain Heart. The concert is set for December 11 at the American Legion Hall in Evanston, IL. with an 8:00 p.m. showtime, doors at 7:00.

Reservations are currently available through the Chicago Bluegrass Legends Concerts Web site.

The American Legion Hall is located at 1030 Central Street, Evanston IL.

About Mountain Heart

Mountain Heart is one of the most exciting, versatile, energetic groups in bluegrass today. Incorporating the roots of bluegrass music into all their various influences – from gospel to New Orleans-style blues – no bluegrass band has come on stronger in the last few years than Mountain Heart.

Mountain Heart has been fearlessly revolutionizing the way bluegrass music can be presented and played. The band’s name has been synonymous with cutting-edge excellence since the group’s creation in 1999. Widely known throughout the bluegrass industry for continually redefining the cutting edge, the band has gained legions of fans both as a result of their superlative musicianship, and more notably, their incomparably exciting live performances.

As one of the most highly awarded ensembles ever assembled, Mountain Heart, or members of the band, have either won or been nominated for multiple Grammys, ACM, CMA, and IBMA Awards. They have appeared on the revered stage of the Grand Ole Opry in excess of 100 times and have shared the stage with acts ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Montgomery Gentry, George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Brad Paisley to Alison Krauss, Tony Rice, Travis Tritt, Yonder Mountain Stringband, LeAnn Rimes, and Patty Loveless.

Mountain Heart’s musical virtuosity, unmatched energy, and keen sense of entertainment dynamics have helped them to forge a highly unique sound, and stage show, which appeals to an incredibly wide variety of musical tastes. From large outdoor bluegrass festivals, to sold-out arena shows opening for Southern Rock icons, Lynyrd Skynyrd, to co-headlining concerts with the acoustic guitar legend, Tony Rice, Mountain Heart always makes an undeniable connection to an audience, leaving them on their feet. In short, this rare combination of abilities makes Mountain Heart one of the most versatile acts ever assembled.

Particularly since the exit of original lead singer Steve Gulley and the entrance of Josh Shilling, Mountain Heart has ventured to fuse more sounds into its base. The six-man band includes: Josh Shilling (lead vocals, guitar, piano); Jim Van Cleve (fiddle, vocals); Barry Abernathy (banjo, vocals); Jason Moore (bass, vocals); Aaron Ramsey (mandolin); and Clay Jones (guitar, vocals). With the introduction of their phenomenally talented young lead singer, the band is poised to take their success to an even higher level. As the group leading the charge in taking bluegrass music to the masses, Mountain Heart deftly combines elements of rock, blues, jazz, and bluegrass into a high-energy sound that is at once fresh, accessible, and unmistakable.

About Bluegrass Legends Concerts

Bluegrass Legends Concerts are produced in cooperation with the American Legion Hall, Post 42, in Evanston. We honor our veterans and servicemen by providing true American music in an American setting. Bluegrass Legends Concerts is the only running bluegrass & acoustic music concert series in the Chicago area that features national headline bluegrass talent. The fall 2009 series kicks off our 11th year of presenting the nation’s top acoustic bluegrass talent and local folk-roots opening acts in an all-ages, non-smoking concert setting for families. Bluegrass Legends Concerts are all about great music in a truly community setting for families, friends, and neighbors.

– From Chicago Bluegrass Legends Concerts