Bluegrass is one of the best-loved forms of American roots music, developed during the mid-1940s its roots are in Irish, Scottish, English and Welsh traditional music, combined with African-American music such as jazz and blues.

 

Long revered by enthusiasts of folk, bluegrass and country music, Ralph Stanley has received the honors due a true musical original, including two Grammy Awards for his music featured in the film O Brother Where Art Thou?, and plus another in 2003 for Best Bluegrass Album. Stanley’s voice is not of this century. Preserved in the cultural amber of remote Appalachia, this terse, forlorn sound is the bedrock of Stanley’s inimitable style. Stanley formed The Clinch Mountain Boys with his brother in 1946, and as bandleader, he’s nourished promising young talents including Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, and Charlie Sizemore, all of whom eventually graduated to distinguished solo careers.

The Travelin’ McCourys, including Ron McCoury on mandolin, Rob McCoury on banjo, Jason Carter on fiddle, and Alan Bartram on bass, with featured guest Dan Tyminski, is the latest incarnation of the most awarded band in the history of bluegrass - The Del McCoury Band. Known for their individual prowess on their instruments and their rapidly expanding reputation as collaborators with musical icons from Vince Gill to the Allman Brothers and Phish, this touring unit blends the best of the Appalachian tradition with the improvisational magic of jazz. Unique live collaborations are the hallmark of their performances, and demonstrate why critics and musicians across the country hail them as the best bluegrass band in the world. 

Named Female Bluegrass Artist of the Year for 7 consecutive years by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), bluegrass vocalist and fiddler Rhonda Vincent began her professional music career at the age of five playing drums, picked up the mandolin at eight, and the fiddle at ten, performing with the family band at festivals on weekends. Deemed The NEW Queen of Bluegrass by The Wall Street Journal, she’s earned the respect of critics and peers alike for her mastery of the progressive chord structures and multi-range, fast paced vocals intrinsic to bluegrass.