It's always different, always exciting and always great music. Rolling Stone called it “a sublime combination of rock and bluegrass, contemporary and classic, old and young. Years on the road with dad in the Del McCoury Band honed their knife-edge chops and encouraged them to re-imagine bluegrass as it cut a new pathway into 21st-century music. “If you put your mind, your skills, and your ability to it, I think you can make just about anything work on bluegrass instruments,” Ronnie McCoury said. “That’s the really fun part of this: figuring the new stuff out and surprising the audience.”
Ultimately, Tim O’Brien Band is a comprehensive summation of the strengths and skills that have made its namesake one of the singular champions of the bluegrass, newgrass, and grassicana genres. A devotee of the past as well as one who’s determined to take the music forward to the future, he’s staked out his stance, and it serves him well. Tim O'Brien Band' is the coming together of a group of musicians perfectly aligned in intention and ability.
Becky Buller is a 2-time Grammy award-winning songwriter and an 8-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award winner who made bluegrass music history in 2016 by becoming the first artist ever to win in both instrumental and vocal categories, as well as the first female to win Fiddle Player Of The Year. Besides Becky, the band includes a dynamite lineup of Ned Luberecki on banjo, Dan Boner on guitar, Nate Lee on mandolin and vocals, and Daniel Hardin on bass and vocals.
The Special Consensus is a bluegrass band that has achieved a contemporary sound in their four decades of performing, making their music a modern classic. The band is led by Greg Cahill, banjo player and recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Special Consensus has received five awards from the IBMA and two Grammy nominations. They are four talented vocalists and instrumentalists who follow their creative desires without straying too far from their bluegrass roots.
The Henhouse Prowlers have forged its own path through music and accross the globe. On stage, the group's enthralling performances give audiences a sense of how much they love what they do; while on record, the band manages to explore their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate instrumentation. While bluegrass is the undeniable foundation of the Prowlers music, the band manages to bend and squeeze the traditional form into a sound all their own.
After releasing four Top Ten Billboard albums, North Carolina based Nu-Blu has quickly established themselves as one of the top Acoustic acts in the music industry, delivering a set of songs that range from the melancholy to the exuberant, and at every step they prove they’ve got a knack for finding their way into the deeper parts of you.
Rick Faris was born to play music.
Most kids learn to fish or hunt from their dad. Rick learned G-runs, fiddle tunes and musical insights from his. Rick’s love for music is one that can only be carefully cultivated when conditions are right and the stars just align. Rick says, “I didn’t know anyone who didn’t play or at least have an instrument in their house until I was 5.” Rick started writing songs and selecting the right personnel that could handle anything. With watertight harmony singers and mind-blowing pickers, Rick set out to show the world what his brand of Bluegrass sounds like.
Born in a distillery in Durango, CO, Stillhouse Junkiesplay a delirious, head-spinning mixture of original roots, blues, funk, swing, and bluegrass music.
Stillhouse Junkies make a mighty big joyful noise for a trio! There is some really fine pickin’ and songwritin’. Listeners can expect a riveting ride through the terrain Stillhouse Junkies bring to life in their music, and a confirmation of why the group was voted the 2021 IBMA Momentum Band of the Year.
For the past 14 years, Full Cord Bluegrass has been making a name for themselves blending traditional bluegrass music with jazz, western swing, and rock n’ roll while keeping the traditional bluegrass feel alive and well. These influences make every performance memorable and unique. Hold on to your hats when these boys hit the stage – they are bringing their version of the bluegrass train full steam ahead.
One of the top emerging artists in bluegrass, Nick Dumas has made his most ambitious album to date with “Details”, and demonstrating why he is one of the most diverse singular talents in the industry today. Nick toured with Special Consensus and recorded two albums, winning a grammy nomination. Nick and his band, Branchline, consists of Nick Dumas on lead vocals and mandolin, IBMA Momentum Award winning Carley Arrowood on Fiddle and vocals, Daniel Thrailkill on guitar and vocals, Will McSeveney on banjo, and Jed Cordwell on bass.
An acoustic Bluegrass / Roots / Americana band based in McHenry, IL. Their musical styles range from bluegrass, reggae, to punk, and beyond, all delivered in a "not-so-traditional" bluegrass voice. Their live shows are high energy, centered around their arsenal of original material and refreshing variety of cover songs interpreted in their own way.
Have you been missing that truly high lonesome sound? The ladies of Fox Crossing Stringband bring all those high harmonies plus driving rhythm of dobro, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar and bass. Six instruments across four vocalists will leave you chasing these foxes for their new bluegrass sound.
Chicagoland string band playing bluegrass, newgrass, and old-time music.
We play bluegrass, drink whiskey and beer, and talk deep ecology. The River Valley Rangers (RVR) are a group of strapping young lads hailing from the Chicagoland region. We enjoy cornbread, long walks in the woods, craft brews, and and of course, bluegrass!
The Grateful String Band puts an bluegrass spin on the music of the Grateful Dead! Anything related is fair game too. Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, David Grisman, Old & In The Way, and of course, Bill Monroe!
Fast paced, well dressed, and with all the excitement of the early days of Bluegrass. Trumans Ridge combines tradition, dynamic drive, a hint of Jazz , and a touch of swing with banjo, guitar, bass, dobro, and mando. Truman's Ridge brings style, energy, tight harmonies and driving instrumentals to classic covers and band originals.
Fronted by Mark Frystak (guitar/vocal) and Hayley Skreens (banjo/vocal), Wheels North is a progressive bluegrass trio from the Illinois Fox Valley. The primary band arrangement includes Jesse Fuller (bass/vocal), but can be found performing as a duo or full band as well. Wheels North offers powerful three-part harmonies, skillfully crafted arrangements, and an enticing catalog of both covers and originals. Mark Frystak provides a driving force on his acoustic guitar while leading vocal duties. Frystak's warm vocal tone & exploration of rhythm guitar are cornerstones of his playing, spearheading the direction of each piece.
New Legacy is a group of exceptional instrumentalist, and phenomenal vocals, singing meaningful lyrics, all of which that plays part in the lasting trademark of this group! New Legacy brings many years of music ministry experience with them to every performance, along with a wide variety of instruments and music styles. They have a unique range of voices that might sing a traditional bluegrass song one moment, a classic country gospel, or even an acapella.