The music got underway with a fellow from the UK named Johnny Butten. A Banjo player, Johnny holds the distinction as the World's fastest Banjo player in the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records. Now residing in the U.S. Johnny has put together a band and is touring under his name. As a very solid picker, Johnny's music spans from traditional to contemporary with, of course, the Banjo as the main lead instrument.
Johhny Butten, Night Owl Concerts, Sept 30, 2008, IBMA
The next up was a group from Texas called The Maybelles. Their music, as the band name implies, is based upon the early country music of the late 20s and 30s. Very much fans of The Carter Family, The Maybelles, while performing some of the Carter standards, also are making new music with that feel of those days long gone by. While not Bluegrass, their music was most entertaining and gave us a glimpse of the roots of all country music, Bluegrass included.
The Maybelles, Night Owl Concerts, Tuesday Sept, 30, 2008, IBMA
Donna Ulisse & The Poor Mountain Boys were up next. Donna was so pleased to play the Virginia suite at IBMA because she has a Virginia connection. Originally from the Hampton, Virginia area, Donna has a most pleasing voice with both a strong and decidedly feminine sound. Donna wrote a great deal of her songs which had a contemporary feel. Most of her songs are ballads which she is most adept a singing. 
Donna Ulisse @ Night Owl Concerts, Tuesday sept. 30, 2008, IBMA
Ladies night continued with The Kati Penn Band. Kati, quite naturally, is the leader of the band and plays Fiddle and sings most of the leads. Her Bluegrass is contemporary and engaging. Having met Kati at Mr. B's Bluegrass Festival in Ladysmith, Virginia, I was impressed with her style and invited her to perform for the Virginia suite way back in April. She may well have been the very first act I booked for the Night Owl Concerts for 2008.
Kati Penn @ Night Owl Concerts, Tuesday, Sept 30, 2008, IBMA
Taking a short break from the ladies we were treated to the fine Southwest Virginia sounds of Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice. Recently of the wildly successful, but now defunct Blueridge, Junior decided to put his old band Rambler's Choice back together and boy are we glad he did. As the voice of his former band, Junior decided to name his first CD project "The Bluer Side of the Blue Ridge," letting his fans know he was back and where he had been in a subtle way. Junior's distinctive voice filled the room as the 30 minutes slipped away far too quickly.
Junior Sisk @ Night Owl Concerts, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, IBMA
Last up at 1:30 in the morning was a very fine group from Northern Virginia, Gold Heart. A family band, the group consists of three sisters, Analise (18) on Mandolin, Jocelyn (16) on Guitar and Shelby (13) on Fiddle. All of the girls share singing lead, but it is their sibling harmony that sets them apart from other Bluegrass acts. Jocelyn, or Jocy as her friends call her is the songwriter of the group and composes most of their original material. Shelby is a wonderful Fiddle player and has an ear for just the right intonation for every note. Analyse does most of the lead singing and holds the rhythm with her consistent Mandolin chop. Their father, Trent, holds down the Bass playing chores, while Zach Gilmer plays that strong and imaginative Banjo.
Gold Heart @ Night Owl Concerts, Tuesday Sept. 30, 2008, IBMA
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