OCT. 18-21 PRESENTED BY
ROANOKE ISLAND FESTIVAL PARK MANTEO, NC BLUEGRASSISLAND.COM
Welcome to Bluegrass Island
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7:00. Tickets are available on the theater website at www.thepioneertheater. com. Thursday, Oct 19th starts with a 2 hour ticketed cruise on the Crystal Dawn and meet & greet with Rhonda Vincent. Drinks will be provided as well as a lunch buffet. Must be 21 to board. You will depart from the Manteo Waterfront docks next to Marshes Lighthouse at 11:00am and return at 1:00pm. Later on Thursday, we will move just over the bridge to Festival Park. The gates open each day at 11:00am. The first show begins at 1:30pm with The Goodwin Brothers playing their unique brand of music you are sure to love. The day continues with more favorites like Seth Mulder & Midnight Run, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Po’ Ramblin’ Boys and Leftover Salmon. Join us for the late night jam with Rhonda Vincent at the Pioneer Theater and bring your
e are excited you are joining us for the 12th annual Bluegrass Island Music Festival. You are now a part of one of the premier bluegrass festivals in the country. We welcome back all of you who have joined us in the past, and if this is your first time with us, you are in for a wonderful weekend. The fun begins at the FREE Shindig at the Bluegrass Island Trading Co. at 107 Budleigh St. where Shannon Baker & Sometime Soon will take the stage at 5:00pm. VIPs will be served a delicious dinner and all VIP and 3-day passholders can check in at the store to get their lanyards and wristbands allowing entrance to Festival Park. Visit our store where you can purchase your favorite bluegrass merchandise and music! The Malpass Brothers will be performing just around the corner from the store at The Pioneer Theater. Doors open at 6:00 and the show begins at
hope you will go by the band’s merchandise tent and meet these world class musicians while you pick up your new favorite CD, t-shirt or ballcap! While you are here this week, we invite you to shop with our very talented arts and crafts vendors surrounding the entire park. Enjoy all the great food served by some of the best restaurants on The Outer Banks and beyond. Before you leave you can save $75 per person by purchasing an Early Bird Ticket to get your best deal on the 2024 event. Grab your chairs, bring the one you love and get ready to hear some mountain music by the sea. We would like to thank you for coming and look forward to seeing you on Bluegrass Island. “Banjo’s echo through the trees, lovers dancing in the breeze, barefoot walking to the happy sounds on Bluegrass Island” – Rhonda Vincent
instruments to play along. On Friday, Oct 20th the day begins at 1:30pm with The Outer Banks Gospel Bluegrass Band followed by The Kody Norris Show, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Kitchen Dwellers and The SteelDrivers. Kody Norris will be hosting our late night jam at the Pioneer Theater. We encourage you to bring your instruments and join in. Saturday, Oct 21st we will be showing Revival: The Sam Bush Story at the Pioneer Theater. This is a free event. Following the screening, we will move back to Festival Park for our final day of incredible performances by Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Breaking Grass, The Dan Tyminski Band and Sam Bush. Join us for the last late night jam at the Pioneer Theater with Breaking Grass. We are excited to have Caroline Owens singing the National Anthem and Sherry Boyd as your emcee for the weekend. After each performance, we
The Bluegrass Island Family
SC HEDULE Wednesday, October 18 Festival kick-off at the Bluegrass Island Trading Company
5:00 p.m. . . . . Shannon Baker & Sometime Soon 7:00 p.m. . . . . The Malpass Brothers at the Pioneer Theater (separate ticket)
Thursday, October 19 Gates open at 11:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m. . . . Bluegrass Island 2-Hour Cruise with special guest Rhonda Vincent 1:30 p.m. . . . . The Goodwin Brothers
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3:15 p.m. . . . . Seth Mulder & Midnight Run 5:00 p.m. . . . . Rhonda Vincent & The Rage 6:45 p.m. . . . . Po' Ramblin' Boys 9:00 p.m. . . . . Leftover Salmon 11:00 p.m. . . . Jam Hosted By Rhonda Vincent (at the Pioneer Theater)
Friday, October 20 Gates open at 11:00 a.m.
1:30 p.m. . . . . The Outer Banks Gospel Bluegrass Band 3:15 p.m. . . . . The Kody Norris Show 5:00 p.m. . . . . Aj Lee & Blue Summit 6:45 p.m. . . . . Kitchen Dwellers
9:00 p.m. . . . . The Steeldrivers 11:00 p.m. . . . Jam Hosted By Kody Norris (at the Pioneer Theater)
Saturday, October 21 Gates open at 11:00 a.m.
1:30 p.m. . . . . Revival: The Sam Bush Story 3:15 p.m. . . . . Darin & Brooke Aldridge 5:00 p.m. . . . . Breaking Grass 6:45 p.m. . . . . The Dan Tyminski Band 9:00 p.m. . . . . Sam Bush 11:00 p.m. . . . Jam Hosted By Breaking Grass (at the Pioneer Theater)
W E D N E S DAY, O C T . 18
SHANNON BAKER and SOMETIME SOON performing at the Bluegrass Island Trading Company
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ne of the most entertaining Bluegrass Bands that I had the pleasure of seeing in person, this year. The band is comprised of Shannon on vocals and mandolin, Ronnie Parrish on bass, John Dudley on banjo, guitar & vocals, Chris Hill on Fiddle and more, and Joe Pessolano on vocals, guitar, mandolin, and Dobro. Ronnie is a founding member of this band, as is Shannon, and previously they were in the ‘Classic Stepbacks’. The band tours regularly throughout North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and is expanding to South Carolina. Larger Festivals expand their region considerably. It may be modesty that prevented them from telling me just how many
dates they booked in 2022. As someone, who tried to catch them on tour, I can say with certainty, it was ‘a lot’! On first review, the new or unfamiliar fan would most certainly be aware of the wonderful vocals offered by Shannon. In trying to describe her voice, I would use the words interesting, entertaining, and thoroughly enchanting. This writer believes that she is an outstanding female vocalist, in the current Bluegrass realm. The band is very solid, versatile, professional, and compliments Shannon to offer a most enjoyable stage and show presence. – taken from an article by Rick Heldmann on https://thebluegrassjamboree. com/
the MALPASS BROTHERS performing at the Pioneer Theater (separate ticket required for this show)
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s young boys, Christopher and Taylor Malpass soaked up the music of their granddad’s phonograph records. Christopher earned his first talent show trophy at age 7, and Taylor was playing mandolin by the time he was 10. Today, they promote the work and music of classic country artists they treasure while creating new music and making their own mark in the lineage of a rich American cultural heritage. With sincerity, honesty and an utter ease on stage that belies their years, their smooth vocal blend and skillful musicianship layer infectiously into the deep respect they pay to legends who have paved the way. Add the funny, off-the-cuff quips between the two 20-something siblings, and the engaging concert becomes a magnetic time-traveling journey to when a calmer
rhythm reigned supreme. This is the real deal, folks. There is no pretense. This is music steeped in the legacy of the Louvin Brothers, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Hank Williams, Sr. & others. Count on classic, real country. Count on new Malpass tunes. Count on a couple of old-time traditional gospels. Count on their probably coming down into the house at intermission and asking what you’d like to hear. Count on giggles and ribbing between brothers. Count on some big hair and fancy boots and maybe even an Elvis twitch or two.
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T H U R S D AY, O C T . 19 Bluegrass Island 2-hour cruise with Rhonda Vincent
the GOODWIN BROTHERS W
e are thrilled to have The Goodwin Brothers make their debut on Bluegrass Island this year. The nucleus of the band is Jonathan & William (Vocals, Guitar & Mandolin) along with Kenneth (Chase) Bush on vocals. They have collectively assembled an all-star cast of musicians that accompany them on their new self-titled album, and in their live shows. The brothers comprising the eastern Kentucky-born band are anything but newcomers: Jonathan & William Goodwin began their musical journeys playing together in the early 90s, Jonathan was 8 and William 6. Prior to that, they spent time singing separately for the most part in church, school plays and events. It wasn’t long thereafter the young talents released their first studio album (1999). Jonathan was 14, William 12. They began singing on the bluegrass festival circuit across the eastern US, a tenure that had refined their sound to a level typically reserved for older players with bigger discographies. – taken from a column by Stephen Burchwell
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SETH MULDER & MIDNIGHT RUN
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ailing from the Gateway of the Great Smoky Mountains, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run began its journey in February 2015 at the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Made up of 5 like-minded musicians and graduates of college music programs, this group of friends and musicians created a band tied to the rich traditions of bluegrass music, yet one that offers a fresh approach to that "High Lonesome" sound. Each member draws from various influences, including bluegrass, country, and rock and roll. They present a high-energy show filled with nostalgic entertainment, tight harmonies, and skillful musicianship, all built around their curated set list of original material and lost covers. Favorites among bluegrass enthusiasts and non-bluegrass audiences alike; they keep the energy high and the audience on their feet. The band knows when they are on stage; it is not only about the music; it is about connecting with the audience and leaving them with a memory that will last a lifetime. their high-energy style of music has taken them worldwide, including festivals across the United States, Canada, and multiple European tours. Together, Seth Mulder (mandolin/vocals), Colton Powers (banjo/vocals), Tyler Griffith (bass/vocals), Chevy Watson (guitar/vocals) and Max Silverstein (fiddle/vocals) create a powerhouse of music and a stage show you do not want to miss and that is why they are one of the most talked-about young bluegrass bands on the festival circuit today!
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VENDORS 1. Happy Lizards 2. Happy Lizards 3. Peace Frogs 4. Parker Gifts 5. Unique Creations 6. Forever Birdhouses 7. Albemarle Cannabis 8. Face Painting 9. Gracie Place 10. Kevin Guitar Straps 11. Matt's Creative Woodworking 12. Kettle Corn 13. Tony's Ice Cream
14. KM Creations 15. Panning for Pearls 16. Knotty Designs 17. Gordan Gallery 18. CBD Wine 19. This That Home Spun Glass 20. OBX IV 21. Beaded Lady 22. Jacmel Bay 23. On the Spot Creamery 24. Sooey's BBQ 25. Buckeye Wraps 26. Free Wheelin' Pizza
2023 sponsors
27. Beer & Wine Tent 28. Billyum Bites 29. Jolly Roger Catering 30. PKX Trippy Clothes 31. Plank Road Cutting Boards 32. Creative Soul 33. Celestial Wellness CBD 34. Funnel Cakes 35. LolaClaire 36. Soulshine Designs 37. Les Bijoux
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RHONDA VINCENT
honda Vincent is a firecracker of talent that powers one of the hottest bands in any genre of music today. From humble beginnings in the tiny town of Greentop, Missouri, Rhonda’s musical heritage traces back 5 generations of the Vincent family. Her dad would pick her up from school each day, and they would sing and play till dinner. After dinner, friends came over, and they would sing and play till bedtime. She began her professional music career singing in her family’s band The Sally Mountain Show. It was an immediate “on the job training,” as they had a TV show, radio show, and made their first recording when Rhonda was 5 years old. She picked up the mandolin at eight, the fiddle at twelve, and learned a valuable life lesson as a teenager performing with her family at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. While they were playing in the pouring rain to empty seats, and what they thought, no one listening -- a week later they received a call from Hal Durham, general manager of the Grand Ole Opry at the time, and who just happened to be listening with his family around the corner. Mr. Durham loved what he heard and invited the Vincent family to appear on the Opry. Rhonda’s life of music evolved into a successful career in bluegrass music; after being discovered by Grand Ole
Opry Star “Jim Ed Brown,” and later spending what she calls her musical college years recording for Giant Records; and learning about the music business from Nashville’s best like James Stroud, Jack McFadden, and Stan Barnett. It was her pivotal bluegrass album “Back Home Again” that transformed Rhonda Vincent into the All American Bluegrass Girl, and crowned the New Queen of Bluegrass by “The Wall Street Journal” in 2000. A multi-award winner, with a 2017 Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album, an Entertainer of the Year 2001, Song of the Year 2004, and unprecedented 7 consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association 2000 – 2006 and an 8th win of IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 2015. Her lifelong dream came true when she was invited to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry on February 28, 2020. Rhonda waited an unprecedented 345 days and was officially inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on February 6, 2021. Her powerful vocal style transcends the boundaries of bluegrass music, as evidenced in her collaboration with Dolly Parton on the Elton John / Bernie Taupin Tribute Project “Restoration” 2018.
PO’ RAMBLIN’ BOYS I
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n 2014, Lewandowski was working at Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery in Sevierville, TN when the band first formed. The distillery employed musicians to play for visitors seven days a week, and Lewandowski, who primarily plays Mandolin and sings, was occasionally hired to fill in when the entertainment didn’t show. Eventually, the distillery approached him about forming a band for a full time slot, so he reached out to long time music friends Jereme Brown, who plays banjo for the group, and Josh Rinkel, who plays guitar. “Jereme was doing a lot of welding work at that time, and Josh was running a sign company”, says Lewandowski, “I think we were all ready to do something new, something with our music but we didn’t know when or how”. Bassist Jasper Lorentzen happened to be working in the tasting room at the distillery, and he turned out to be the perfect addition to the band. The four friends played multiple times a week for a year and half,
honing their band sound, meanwhile word was spreading about their music. “The first gig we played out of town was a festival in Alberta, Canada, and a week later we went on a two week tour of Europe, it was crazy”, says Lewandowski. In 2020, the finishing touch, the cherry on top if you will, was added to the quartet. Laura Orshaw, a seasoned fiddle player and singer joined the Boys after contributing her talents to the Sound Biscuit Productions’ full Gospel album, “God’s Love is So Divine” and “Toils, Tears, & Trouble.” On the addition C.J. exclaims “after 5 1/2 together as a four piece, we needed that perfect fit that would not only fit us on stage and recording, but a personality that would add to the band and be a part of the family we have created. Laura was that person and we can’t think of anyone else that fits our music and our family better than her. The show has benefited so much from Laura and the chemistry we have between the now 5 of us.”
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LEFTOVER SALMON
ew bands stick around for thirty years. Even fewer bands leave a legacy during that time that marks them as a truly special, once-in-lifetime type band. And no band has done all that and had as much fun as Leftover Salmon. Since their earliest days as a forward thinking, progressive bluegrass band who had the guts to add drums to the mix and who was unafraid to stir in any number of highly combustible styles into their ever evolving sound, to their role as a pioneer of the modern jamband scene, to their current status as elder-statesmen of the scene who cast a huge influential shadow over every festival they play, Leftover Salmon has been a crucial link in keeping alive the traditional music of the past while at the same time pushing that sound forward with their own weirdly, unique style. In their fourth decade as a band, Leftover Salmon is showing no signs of slowing down, continuing to create new music in the studio, including the most recent release Brand New Good Old Days (Compass Records 2021).+The latest album shows that Leftover Salmon is still proving it possible to recreate themselves without changing who they are. The band now features a lineup that has been
together longer than any other in Salmon history and is one of the strongest the legendary band has ever assembled. Built around the core of founding members Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman, the band is now powered by banjo-wiz Andy Thorn and driven by the steady rhythm section of bassist Greg Garrison, drummer Alwyn Robinson, and dobro player & keyboardist
Jay Starling. The current lineup is continuing the long, storied history of Salmon which found them first emerging from the progressive bluegrass world and coming of age as one the original jam bands, before rising to become architects of what has become known as Jamgrass and helping to create a landscape where bands schooled in the traditional rules of bluegrass can break free of those bonds through nontraditional instrumentation and an innate ability to push songs in new psychedelic directions live. Salmon is a band who for more than thirty years has never stood still; they are constantly changing, evolving, and inspiring. If someone wanted to understand what Americana music is they could do no better than to go to a Leftover Salmon show, where they effortlessly glide from a bluegrass number born on the front porch, to the down-and-dirty Cajun swamps with a stop on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, to the hallowed halls of the Ryman in Nashville, before firing one up in the mountains of Colorado. Jam hosted by Rhonda Vincent at the Pioneer Theater
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F R I DAY, O C T. 2 0 THE OUTER BANKS GOSPEL BLUEGRASS BAND T he Outer Banks Gospel, Bluegrass Band, plays at churches and events throughout the Outer Banks and northeast North Carolina. The group is made up of seasoned professional with a love for God and His music with an acoustic bluegrass flavor. Will Fields, the old gentleman in the group came to the Outer Banks from the Mountains of West Virginia. After a career in the United States Coast Guard, he now calls the fishing village of Wanchese home, on the south end of Roanoke Island. Will brings 60 plus years of singing country, country gospel and bluegrass to the band. He is joined by singer/songwriter Sammy Marriner from Point Harbor, on lead guitar and vocals. Sammy has shared the gospel in song, around the country including the Wheeling West Virginia Jamboree, broadcast live on
WWVA. On Banjo is Kevin Stroud a founding member of The Outer Banks Showcase. Kevin came to the beach from Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He and his family now make their home in
Kitty Hawk. Kevin jokes he is the best banjo player on his street, but the truth is, he is one of the best banjo pickers in the Tarheel State. Ken Mann gives the band something to stand on with the
bass, but is known better for his story telling and as the former host of the PBS TV program “My Heart Will Always Be in Carolina” The band has a real affection for the old hymns, which they play and sing with a newgrass flavor, mixed with biblical stories of life and the inspiring history of the songs. Although the band members all love the music, make no mistake their first priority, is sharing the Gospel of Jesus. Most recently the band contributed their talent to the Captain’s Crew CD, dedicated to “Dare Challenge”, a faith-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. The popular album shares the gospel in song, has helped raise public awareness about the program and helped provide some of the financial support for the rehabilitation ministry.
THE KODY NORRIS SHOW
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hatever you do, don't call The Kody Norris Show 'retro'. Because while they are known for the rhinestones that shine from their lapels and the fringe that hangs from their collars seem to conjure up memories of times gone by, The Kody Norris Show are very much directing their gaze forever forward. Now, more than ever before. The talented group, made up of frontman Kody Norris, Josiah Tyree, Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris, and Charlie Lowman, finds themselves with a growing legion of fans craving the comfort that comes from their retro look, but equally craving dynamic instrumentation and thought-provoking lyrics – all of which can be heard throughout their epic new album Rhinestone Revival. “There is a whole chapter of country music that's just kind of faded away,” The Kody Norris Show’s front
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man once said. “I believe The Kody Norris Show has been instrumental in bringing back some of that nostalgia and some of that classic look that country music
and bluegrass music used to have.” And the fans can’t get enough. In fact, it’s those fans that have raised The Kody Norris Show to a place in which they stand today, a place where the four-piece, multi-instrumentalist, bluegrass band are quickly becoming four of the most epic entertainers of our time. Add that to the songwriting displayed on the Kody Norris-penned “Baltimore I’m Leaving,” “Fiddler’s Rock,” “Please Tell Me Why,” and the infectious “Gotta Get My Baby Back” on Rhinestone Revival, and there is no doubt that The Kody Norris Show is as current as ever. They ain’t retro. They have something different. They have something uniquely theirs. They have something that makes them stand out. “We want people to know who we are,” Norris once said. And they will.
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AJ LEE & BLUE SUMMIT
J Lee and Blue Summit made their first appearance in Santa Cruz in 2015. Led by singer, songwriter, and mandolinist, AJ Lee, the bluegrass band has performed all over the world, but finds home in California’s Bay Area. In 2019, they released their debut album, Like I Used To. Their second full length project, I’ll Come Back, came out August 2021 - with national touring in support of the record ongoing. Unlike their first record, which featured experimentation with session musicians and electric instruments, the new project is a pure reflection of the live sound of the group, hearkening back to their acoustic roots. Each band member performs at their peak, and the variety of songs on the record caters to their broad fanbase. Certain tracks (“Put Your Head Down,” and “Faithful,”) fall more in the classic bluegrass realm of songwriting, while others (“Lemons
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and Tangerines,” and “I’ll Come Back,”) fall into that hard-to-define realm of acoustic Americana that blends mesmerizing lyricism and acoustic mastery. Although falling loosely under the bluegrass label, AJLBS generally plays sans banjo, with Sullivan Tuttle and Scott Gates on steel stringed acoustic guitars, AJ on mandolin, Jan Purat on fiddle, and Chad Bowen on upright bass - a configuration effectively used to create unique space and texture in the arrangements not as commonly found in the music of their peers. Drawing from influences such as country, soul, swing, rock, and jam music, the band uses the lens of bluegrass as a vessel through which to express and explore the thread that binds and unifies all great music. Members include AJ Lee (lead vocals, mandolin), Scott Gates (guitar), Sullivan Tuttle (guitar), Chad Bowen (bass) and Jan Purat (fiddle).
KITCHEN DWELLERS
mong the many natural wonders in Montana, Wise River runs for about 30 miles through the Southwestern region of the state, cutting through the mountains and flowing into the Big Hole River. Beyond being a favorite spot for fly fishermen, it remains etched into the topography of the land itself. Two hours away in Bozeman, Kitchen Dwellers equally embody the spirit and soul of their home with a sonic palette as expansive as Montana’s vistas. The quartet—Shawn Swain [Mandolin], Torrin Daniels [banjo], Joe Funk [upright bass], and Max Davies [acoustic guitar]— twist bluegrass, folk, and rock through a kaleidoscope of homegrown stories, rich mythology, American west wanderlust, and psychedelic hues. After amassing 5 million-plus streams, selling out shows, and receiving acclaim from Huffington Post, Relix, American Songwriter, and more, the group brings audiences back to Big Sky Country on their third full-length album, Wise River, working with Cory
Wong of Vulfpeck as producer. They’ve captivated audiences at hallowed venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and performed alongside everyone from Railroad Earth and Twiddle to The Infamous String Dusters in addition to playing festivals such as Northwest
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String Summit, WinterWonderGrass, and more. They’ve released two critically acclaimed albums—Ghost In The Bottle [2017] and Muir Maid [2019]—and a live record, Live from the Wilma [2021]. They broke up 2020 with an EP of Pink Floyd covers entitled Reheated, Vol. 2. It
was heralded by a two-night livestream concert, Live From The Cabin, beamed out to audiences from the Bridger Mountains. Additionally, they appeared at the Live From Out There virtual festival and even took over a drive-in movie theater for an in-person gig in between regular writing sessions together throughout the year. In order to bring the new tunes to life, they recruited Cory behind the board as producer. Holing up at Creation Studios in Minneapolis, they recorded Wise River in just four days. “When you listen to Wise River, I hope you hear some of the original qualities that made us who we are, but you also recognize aspects that are new and adventurous,” Max leaves off. “If you go to a studio with a whole new batch of songs, it should never be the same as the last time. I hope you hear what it sounds like when the four of us are at home and have the space to create something together. This album is really how we sound as a band.”
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THE STEELDRIVERS
nly Nashville could give birth to a band like The SteelDrivers: a group of seasoned veterans – each distinguished in his or her own right, each valued in the town’s commercial community – who are seizing an opportunity to follow their hearts to their souls’ reward. In doing so, they are braiding their bluegrass roots with new threads of their own design, bringing together country, soul, blues, and other contemporary influences to create an unapologetic hybrid that is old as the hills but fresh as the morning dew. This is new music with the old feeling. SteelDrivers fan Vince Gill describes the band’s fusion as simply “an incredible combination” Specializing in a unique mix of what might be called bluegrass soul, the SteelDrivers have become one of the biggest names in progressive bluegrass after making their debut in 2005. While there’s a strong traditional streak in the SteelDrivers sound, they bring a passion to their delivery that adds a distinctive flavor, and they’re not afraid of adding a forceful grit to the music. The SteelDrivers have been nominated for four Grammys, the Americana Music Association’s New Artist of the Year and was IBMA’s 2009 Emerging Artist of The Year. In 2015, “The Muscle Shoals Recordings” won the Grammy award for Best Bluegrass Recording. The SteelDrivers are: Richard Bailey (banjo), Tammy Rogers (fiddle), Mike Fleming (bass), Brent Truitt (mandolin), and Matt Dame (Guitar) Jam hosted by Kody Norris at the Pioneer Theater
S A T U R D AY, O C T . 21 Revival: The Sam Bush Story will be showing at the Pioneer Theater (free for festival ticket holders) Sam Bush pioneered a new genre of music and inspired some of the world's most famous bands and accomplished musicians - yet for countless potential fans, the "Father of Newgrass" remains an unknown legend. Not many musicians can lay claim to being the 'father' of an entire genre of music.
DARIN and BROOKE ALDRIDGE Gospel, The Bluegrass Road, and Blue Highways TV. Their long-held dream to one day play the Grand Ole Opry came
true on July 4, 2017, and since then, they have graced the Opry stage more than 35 times.
JULY 6, 2024 Island
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arin and Brooke Aldridge are excited. And why not? With two new band members, a new record label, and five original songs on their latest album, the bluegrass and Americana duo are back with This Life We’re Livin,’ their ninth recorded project together, and first release on Billy Blue Records. This Life We’re Livin’ celebrates the space the husband-and-wife team now occupies – the top of bluegrass music. Armed with the talents of the proverbial triple-threat of uniquely distinctive singing, commanding instrumental skills, and accomplished songwriting, Darin and Brooke continue to ascend to new heights in the industry while maintaining their easy-going, down-to-earth connection with audiences everywhere. Brooke is a four-time consecutive winner for Female Vocalist of the Year for the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). She was nominated for a fifth time in 2021 and again in 2023. Once a six-year member of The Country Gentlemen with the late Charlie Waller, Darin is a former
Roanoke Festival Park Manteo, NC
IBMA Mentor of the Year and a truly gifted singer and multi-instrumentalist. Together with their band – Billy Gee on bass, Samantha Snyder on fiddle, and Jacob Metz on banjo and resonator guitar – Darin and Brooke were recognized with the IBMA’s nomination for 2021 Vocal Group of the Year. They have had multiple nominations over the years from the IBMA, the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA), and the Inspirational Country Music Association. They have enjoyed top spots on the Billboard, SiriusXM, Bluegrass Today, Bluegrass Unlimited, Americana/ Roots, and Gospel charts. Their music videos have been featured on Country Music Television (CMT), CMT Edge, Great American Country (GAC), Bluegrass Ridge TV, and The Bluegrass Situation. Their television appearances include PBS’ Mountain Stage, Songs of the Mountain and Music City Roots; RFDTV’s Larry’s Country Diner, Country’s Family Reunion, and The Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour; Great American
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BREAKING GRASS K
nown for their high energy performances and original material, Breaking Grass delivers heartfelt music with haunting harmonies to match. Now in their 14th year together, Breaking Grass has had multiple albums reach the Top 10 Billboard Bluegrass Charts, numerous songs in the Top 10 Bluegrass Today Charts (boasting multiple number one’s), and are acclaimed nationally after performing across the globe. With influences ranging from rock, gospel, country, and soul, this group of award-winning musicians brings something for everyone to each live show. If you have never been a fan of bluegrass music, it might be because you haven't heard it quite like this. Band members include Cody Farrar (lead vocals/guitar), Britt Sheffield (bass), Tyler White (fiddle), Zach Wooten (vocals/mandolin) and Jody Elmore (banjo).
THE DAN TYMINSKI BAND
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hroughout his 30+ year career, Dan Tyminski has left his mark in every corner of modern music. Tyminski’s voice famously accompanies George Clooney’s performance of the Stanley Brothers’ Classic song, “I’m A Man of Constant Sorrow,” in the film, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou and his vocal collaboration with Swedish DJ Avicii on the song “Hey, Brother” was a global smash, having been streamed over 1 billion times to date. Dan has also contributed guitar and/or harmony to projects by Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, Aaron Lewis and Rob Thomas, to name a few. In addition to his highly successful solo career, Dan Tyminski has played guitar and mandolin for Alison Krauss and Union Station since 1994. His unmatched instrumental skills and burnished, soulful tenor voice have been key components of the band. Dan has been honored with 14 Grammy Awards, was named Male Vocalist of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association 4x and was recognized as 2004’s Male Vocalist of the Year by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America. In 2022, Dan recorded the acclaimed EP, “One More Time Before You Go,” celebrating Tony Rice’s legacy. And most recently, Dan’s latest fulllength bluegrass album, “God Fearing Heathen,” was released and quickly hit #1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums chart. The Dan Tyminski Band tours frequently, and is comprised of Gaven Largent (Dobro), Maddie Denton (fiddle), Jason Davis (banjo), Grace Davis (bass) and Harry Clark (mandolin).
SAM BUSH
band’s debut, New Grass Revival. Walker left soon after, replaced temporarily by Butch Robins, with the quartet solidifying around the arrival of bassist John Cowan. “There were already people that had deviated from Bill Monroe’s style of bluegrass,” Bush explains. “If anything, we were reviving a newgrass style that had already been started. Our kind of music tended to come from the idea of long jams and rock & roll songs.” Shunned by some traditionalists, New Grass Revival played bluegrass fests slotted in late-night sets for the “longhairs and hippies.” Quickly becoming a
favorite of rock audiences, they garnered the attention of Leon Russell, one of the era’s most popular artists. Russell hired New Grass as his supporting act on a massive tour in 1973 that put the band nightly in front of tens of thousands. At tour’s end, it was back to headlining six nights a week at an Indiana pizza joint. But they were resilient, grinding it out on the road. And in 1975 the Revival first played Telluride, Colorado, forming a connection with the region and its fans that has prospered for 45 years. Jam hosted by Breaking Grass at the Pioneer Theater
OCTOBER 17-19, 2024
ROANOKE ISLAND FESTIVAL PARK
O
n a Bowling Green, Kentucky cattle farm in the post-war 1950s, Bush grew up an only son, and with four sisters. His love of music came immediately, encouraged by his parents’ record collection and, particularly, by his father Charlie, a fiddler, who organized local jams. Charlie envisioned his son someday a staff fiddler at the Grand Ole Opry, but a clear day’s signal from Nashville brought to Bush’s television screen a tow-headed boy named Ricky Skaggs playing mandolin with Flatt and Scruggs, and an epiphany for Bush. At 11, he purchased his first mandolin. As a teen fiddler Bush was a threetime national champion in the junior division of the National Oldtime Fiddler’s Contest. He recorded an instrumental album, Poor Richard’s Almanac as a high school senior and in the spring of 1970 attended the Fiddlers Convention in Union Grove, NC. There he heard the New Deal String Band, taking notice of their rock-inspired brand of progressive bluegrass. Acuff offered him a spot in his band. Bush politely turned down the country titan. It was not the music he wanted
to play. He admired the grace of Flatt & Scruggs, loved Bill Monroe - even saw him perform at the Ryman - but he’d discovered electrified alternatives to tradition in the Osborne Brothers and manifest destiny in The Dillards. See the photo of a fresh-faced Sam Bush in his shiny blue high school graduation gown, circa 1970. Tufts of blonde hair breaking free of the borders of his squared cap, Bush is smiling, flanked by his proud parents. The next day he was gone, bound for Los Angeles. He got as far as his nerve would take him - Las Vegas - then doubled back to Bowling Green. “I started working at the Holiday Inn as a busboy,” Bush recalls. “Ebo Walker and Lonnie Peerce came in one night asking if I wanted to come to Louisville and play five nights a week with the Bluegrass Alliance. That was a big, ol’ ‘Hell yes, let’s go.’” Bush played guitar in the group, then began playing mandolin after recruiting guitarist Tony Rice to the fold. Following a fallout with Peerce in 1971, Bush and his Alliance mates - Walker, Courtney Johnson, and Curtis Burch - formed the New Grass Revival, issuing the
MANTEO, NORTH CAROLINA
SC H ED UL ED T O A PPEA R
THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS
THE BROTHERS COMATOSE • DONNA THE BUFFALO RHONDA VINCENT • THE CLEVERLYS • SCYTHIAN
APPALACHIAN ROAD SHOW • HENHOUSE PROWLERS • BREAKING GRASS EAST NASH GRASS • GARY NICHOLS BAND • SHADOWGRASS • SIDELINE THE WILDWOODS • REMEDY TREE • BACKLINE • DRIVE TIME AND MORE!
TI C K E TS A T B LU E G RA S S IS LA ND . C OM
SHERRY BOYD S
– Emcee
herry Boyd has worn many hats within broadcasting and the bluegrass community. The one we like most is emcee for the Bluegrass Island Music Festival. Sherry is professional and knowledgeable. She is engaging with the audience and always keeps everyone well informed of band history, pending festivals and everything happening within the event with the food vendors, arts and craft vendors and our generous sponsors. We are thrilled to have Sherry back again this year and glad to have her as part of our festival family.
CAROLINE OWENS
– National Anthem
C
aroline Owens is an IBMA nominated Bluegrass and Gospel artist. She has performed alongside many of the music industries most accomplished artists such as: Alison Krauss, Suzanne Cox, The Isaacs, Larry Gatlin, The Malpass Brothers, Darin & Brooke Aldridge and many others. Making great strides in the music business, the future deems itself to be increasingly bright for this rising young star.