September is upon us and with it is the "Grottoes Family Bluegrass Festival" held at Grand Caverns Regional Park in Grottoes, VA on the weekend of September 9, 10, 11, 2010. The park at Grand Caverns is a cozy and seemingly small park, however it's size is larger than you might think. There is a beautiful flat camping area with lots of trees and plenty of pavilions all around the park. It is the perfect place for Bluegrass.
Thursday get underway with Next Best Thing, a band comprised of Rhonda Vincent's two daughters, Sally & Tensel. These girls have inherited the singing gene from their mother. They can really sing bluegrass. The above link is to their Myspace page. Click here to access their Facebook page. Just to be sure the days proceedings are absolutely Bluegrass, Country Fried Grass is up next. These guys combine country songs which they have adapted to Bluegrass and traditional Bluegrass together to blow you away with their strong Bluegrass music. Next, Sally & Tensel had better mind themselves because Mama is here at Grottoes on Thursday, too. That's right, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage wraps up the day. Rhonda understands Bluegrass and sings it as it should be sung. Don't for get the Pot Luck supper at 6PM. Just bring your favorite dish and join the fun.
Friday gets underway with Allegheny Blue. Here is a short blurb from their web site: "All born and raised in the beautiful Shenandoah valley, bluegrass is in our blood. From the lonesome sound of Bill Monroe to the deep soul of Larry Sparks, music that has filled our ear’s and our hearts. The desire to create good music is what we are after, and the result of hard work, dedication, and a dream, is Allegheny Blue." Next up is Jerry Butler & The Blue J's. Jerry recently left the Carolina Road band to form his new group. I just love the way Bluegrass continues to expand with each new group that grows from other groups. Lost & Found is up next presenting their own easily recognizable brand of Bluegrass. Nobody does it quite like the Lost & Found! The Bluegrass Brothers is the next band to play. There have been many changes in the group over the last few months as family dynamics can change. I think you're gonna really like what you hear. Last up, but certainly not least, is the great Sammy Shelor & The Lonesome River Band, better known and loved by most of us as simply the LRB. Sammy's dynamic and original style of Banjo playing has yet to be given the moniker "Shelor Style" but rest assured it will. Nobody plays it like Sammy!
Another big day of Bluegrass gets started on Saturday by The Little Mountain Boys. I just recently heard this band at the Amelia festival and they are very good. Don't miss them. Next up is the James King Band. Before proceeding any further I wanted to share a brief notice I received via email this week concerning James.
Bluegrass artist James King has been admitted to the hospital with blood clots in his lungs and leg. Please keep him in your prayers. Get well cards can be sent to: James King, P.O. Box 10179, Danville, Virginia 24543
I don't have any further information about James, so I suggest you listen to the Sweet Brenda & Him Show this Sunday from 7 to 10AM on WBBC 93.5 the Bobcat, Blackstone, VA for more details. Lexington, VA's Nothin' Fancy is up next. These guys are distinctly different and will entertain you. The Bluegrass Brothers are back again on Saturday followed by the great Audie Blaylock & Redline. Audie is at the top of his game right now and will amaze you. He is truly dedicated to Bluegrass music.
Advance 3 day tickets are only $50. I don't know when cutoff for these prices will occur, so I suggest you hop to it right now! Either contact them via email at: lawsonentertain@aol.com or via phone at 804-561-0705 or by snail mail at Grottoes Family Bluegrass, C/O Brenda & Calvin Lawson, 5401 Cralles Road, Amelia, VA. I hope to see you there!
"NUFF SAID!"
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