Preddyfest - Franklintom, N.C. - June 10th, 11th & 12th, 2010

Yes!  Look at those dates!  Preddyfest is upon us.  Starting on Thursday June 10th Preddyfest will be in full swing.  Performing on Thursday is the Sourwood Mountain Band.  This band is from Franklinton, NC and they have a new Gospel CD available.  Click on their link above to find out more about the Sourwood Mountain Band and this new project.  The next band up on Thursday is GrassStreet.  Here is a quote from their web site;"GrassStreet, based in central North Carolina, has entertained fans of all ages for over 6 years. Their mixture of original material and bluegrass standards along with their unique ability to cover musical styles ranging from rock to blues to jazz set them apart from the average bluegrass band. They pride themselves on an entertaining and high energy stage show full of the right balance of musical precision and humor. With influences ranging from the traditional sounds of Flatt & Scruggs to the progressive sounds of Seldom Scene and Tony Rice and with members with backgrounds in bluegrass, country, jazz, rock, and R&B there's always something for every listener at a GrassStreet show."  GrassStreet also has a new Gospel project out. 

Here is a quote from their web site about this new project: "We are excited to announce the release of our first all-gospel studio recording project, Grandma's Hymnbook. This new CD is a collection of several old hymns that we all grew up with along with some new original songs."  Last up on Thursday is the very popular Marty Rabon & Full Circle.  Please check out Marty's web site for more information about him and his efforts toward helping with the enormous problems after the terrible floods in Nashville.

Friday gets started with some of the best traditional Bluegrass you're likely to hear, who else but Al Batten & Bluegrass Reunion. 

Check out Al's latest CD "34 Years and Counting" and other stuff at his web site by clicking on the link above.  Simply trust me, if you like your Bluegrass traditional then Al Batten & Bluegrass Reunion is the band for you.  Next up on Friday is Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road.  Lorraine also has a new project called "Carolina Hurricane"

Lorraine asked me when I saw her at the Amelia Bluegrass Festival to tell you that the      Cherokee Bluegrass Festival will be presented as originally advertised.  Adams Entertainment dropped this festival, but it was picked up by Milton Harkey.  Check out Lorraine's web site for more details.  Those at Preddyfest on Friday will also be treated to the Josh Williams Band.  Josh has a lot of things going on so be sure to click on his band name above for all the details.  Wrapping up the day on Friday will be the great band The Grascals.  These guys got their start as a Bluegrass band by backing Dolly Partin on her very first Bluegrass CD.  They all were seasoned Nashville studio musicians, but had so much fun doing the back up for Dolly they decided to become a touring band.  As they say, the rest is history.

Saturday is another great day of Bluegrass at Preddyfest.  Things get started with a great regional band, Constant Change.  They also have a new project called "Hills of Home."  Here is a quote about the band from the web site: "Constant Change was formed in January of 2002 by a group of North Carolina musicians in their twenties with a passion for bluegrass music. For the first several years the band lived up to its name, as various hot young pickers came and went. But once Brian Aldridge (banjo) and his brother Daniel (mandolin) stepped in to join founder Clifton Preddy (fiddle), the nucleus of a special band was in place. When singer/guitarist Dan Wells came aboard in 2004, the group zoomed into focus on the radar screen of "bands to watch." The last piece of the puzzle fell into place with the addition of bass player Gary Baird in early 2006."  Also on Saturday is a great band that just recently changed it's name.  Once known as Williams & Clark Expedition, they are now called simply The Expedition Show.  They are headed up by Blake Williams who once was a "Bluegrass Boy" playing Banjo for Bill Monroe.  Blake has a dry sense of humor and will have you laughing out loud.  Also appearing at Preddyfest on Saturday is The Bluegrass Experience.  This North Carolina band has this to say on their web site; "The Bluegrass Experience has been a vital force in the North Carolina/Southeastern Bluegrass scene for over 30 years.Since being named the Worlds Champion Bluegrass Band in 1972, the group has performed professionally throughout the eastern half of the United States and has appeared on many major festivals, done numerous college concerts, recorded 3 albums and appeared at The Finnish National Folk Festival. Members have worked or recorded with some of the greats of the genre including: Bill Monroe, Chubby Wise, Bobby Hicks, Jimmy Mills, Roland White, Wilma Lee Cooper, Gene Wooten and many others."   The James King Band will mount the stage at Preddyfest.  James has long been a favorite in the NC/VA area and is known for his forthright and soulful lead vocals.  Last up, but certainly not least, is the Bluegrass schoolmaster himself, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.  The only thing I can add to the many praises already heaped upon Doyle is that he is a perfectionist.  His music will always be the very best it can be, because if it isn't there'll likely be a new face in the band the next time you see Doyle.

I'm on my way out of the door to the "Graves Mountain Festival of Music" tomorrow, but I wanted to let you know all about Preddyfest before I left.  When I return I'll be giving you details on the "Grottoes Family Bluegrass Festival" and the "Sedalia Bluegrass Festival."  Until then. . . . .

"NUFF SAID!"