Even among the pantheon of music’s finest artists, Del McCoury stands alone. From the nascent sound of bluegrass that charmed hardscrabble hillbilly honky tonks, rural schoolhouse stages, and the crowning glory of the Grand Ole Opry to the present-day culture-buzz of viral videos and digital streams, Del is the living link. On primetime and late-night television talk shows, there is Del. From headlining sold-out concerts to music festivals of all genres, including one carrying his namesake, there is Del. Where audiences number in the tens of thousands, and admirers as diverse as country-rock icon Steve Earle and jamband royalty Phish count as a few among hundreds, there is Del.
Tony Trischka's Earljam, featuring Michael Daves -
Tony Trischka is considered the consummate banjo artist and perhaps the most influential banjo player in the roots music world. For more than 50 years, his stylings have inspired a whole generation of bluegrass and acoustic musicians with the many voices he has brought to the instrument. Tony will be honoring the music of Earl Scruggs, pioneer of the three-finger banjo style and one of the most important musicians in bluegrass, or, in Tony’s opinion, in any genre. Trischka recently came into possession of extremely rare recordings of jam sessions with Scruggs and John Hartford, and he’s transcribed and recorded Scruggs’s note-for-note solos from a number of these. Many songs that Earl had never recorded.
Founded two decades ago with the simple desire to play original and powerful bluegrass, this Chicago-bred quartet now finds themselves at the intersection of performance, diplomacy, and education. Onstage, the group's enthralling performances give audiences a sense of how much they love what they do. On record – including their latest offering, 2023’s Lead and Iron, released via Dark Shadow Recording – the band explores their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate instrumentation. While bluegrass is the undeniable foundation of the Prowlers’ music, the band bends and squeezes the traditional form into a keenly developed sound all their own.
Bluegrass music may be one of America’s “traditional” styles, but at its heart it has always been wild and spontaneous. The style demands every ounce of facility and intent that each performer can muster— it fires on all cylinders or none at all. Few bands do it as well as East Nash Grass. An ensemble of standout players from a city known for the quality of its musicians, East Nash Grass came by its name and reputation honestly, honing their performance chops night after night on a tiny stage on Music City’s east side. Dedication to a group’s roots and a commitment to hard work are earmarks of great Nashville bands of all kinds, and East Nash Grass exemplifies what it means to be a bluegrass band from Nashville.
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 Rick Faris Band, led by the versatile Rick Faris, stands out as a formidable presence in the Bluegrass scene. With a dedication to the music’s heritage, they push the boundaries of the genre, to deliver a uniquely captivating sound. Rick Faris, a seasoned musician known for his evocative vocals and instrumental prowess, leads the group joined by JimBob Faris, bringing sibling harmonies with new hires Henry Burgess on mandolin and Gibson Davis on banjo, adding fresh energy and expertise to their lineup. Together, this talented group of musicians crafts a seamless blend of traditional Bluegrass roots and contemporary influences, creating a dynamic musical experience that resonates with audiences. Based in Owensboro, KY, the band's performances showcase their collective artistry and passion for storytelling through music. With each note, the Rick Faris Band exudes authenticity and soul, captivating listeners with their distinctive sound and compelling performances. Their presence in Bluegrass continues to grow, solidifying their reputation as innovative and influential musicians in the genre.
Take a 15-time IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Dobro Player of the Year and a Tennessee-born guitar prodigy who made his Grand Ole Opry debut at the age of 11, and you have Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, a powerhouse acoustic duo that has electrified the acoustic music scene. Known for their white-hot picking, stone country vocals with soul and world class live musicianship, Ickes and Hensley meld together blues, bluegrass, country, rock and other string band music of all kinds to form a signature blend of music that defies restrictions of genre. They are equally at home on stages of prestigious performing arts centers, theatres and the Grand Ole Opry as they are on Americana, jamgrass, bluegrass and jam band festivals.
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. Over the years, they’ve turned many heads, garnering major headlines with their George Jones inspired tribute single "Jesus and Jones" featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer'Soul Man' Sam Moore (of the iconic duo Sam and Dave). The award-winning band has also made appearances on Fox News in the past, while also having their music featured on CBS "Sunday Morning." Recently they have moved into the role of helping bring Bluegrass to the masses, serving as the permanent host of the nationally-syndicated TV show"Bluegrass Ridge," which airs in 120 million homes worldwide.
A lot has happened since the four boys from “Johnny & the Yooahoos” first took to the stages of southern Germany in 2018. - Since then, the combo has been welcomed to festivals in France, Ireland, Holland, Austria and Switzerland and, as winners of the IBMA International Band Grant, will even have a five-week tour of the USA in summer 2025 with renowned venues such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival on their tour calendar. As far as their music is concerned, the Yooahoos, still playing purely acoustically with banjo, mandolin, guitar, double bass and three-part vocals, have remained true to themselves: they continue to celebrate American folk music in their own way by mixing traditional bluegrass and contemporary folk in an authentic, down-to-earth manner, placing themselves somewhere between urban haze and rural idyll, many tones and indispensable rawness, nostalgia for the past and a look to the future and the here and now.
So come, listen and be amazed when "Johnny & the Yooahoos" play.
Nick Dumas & Branchline brings a hard-driving bluegrass performance to the stage and has been entertaining crowds across the country since 2021! Originally from Washington State, now living in Sturgeon Bay, WI, Nick Dumas was raised in a musical family, and first cut his bluegrass chops with his family band Three Generations. Nick later stepped out with other musicians and founded the high energy group Northern Departure, and subsequently co-founded North Country. In 2014, Nick joined the acclaimed Chicago-based Special Consensus as one of their lead vocalists and mandolin player. Nick Dumas & Branchline, includes IBMA Momentum Vocalist of the Year Daniel Thrailkill on guitar and vocals, two-time Wisconsin State fiddle champion Hana Dumas on fiddle and vocals, Nashville based Will McSeveney on banjo, and Seattle based Andrew Knapp on bass. This band brings unforgettable performances!
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!
Fox Crossing String Band -
Fox Crossing Stringband is a dynamic women-led bluegrass group that has been making waves in Chicago’s music scene for eight years.
Founded by Cassie Lynn Wright (banjo/dobro) and Despina Pafralides (guitar), their sound is built on powerful original songwriting and captivating harmonies. Joined by Roman Niziolek (upright bass), Micah Vogel (fiddle), and Caleb Peters (mandolin), Fox Crossing pushes bluegrass boundaries. They seamlessly blend traditional roots with pop, blues, and rock, creating a unique and exhilarating live music experience. With two acclaimed albums and hundreds of performances, including festivals like the prestigious IBMA award-winning Frankfort Bluegrass Festival and the John Hartford Memorial Festival, Fox Crossing has built a devoted following and established themselves as a leading force in the bluegrass scene.
Three of the top bluegrass musicians in the Chicago area, Rob Anderlik, Pat Otto and Mike Church first met at late night jam session and felt a deep musical connection from the moment they played together. They formed a trio in 2015 and quickly built a reputation as one of the most innovative bluegrass bands in the midwest. They're often joined by cellist extraordinaire Tom Culver, who is a frequent collaborator. With dobro, mandolin/octave mandolin, guitar and cello, the band plays with great finesse and creativity.
Wheels North is a progressive Newgrass band from Northern Illinois comprised of Hayley Skreens (banjo/vocal), Mark Frystak (guitar/vocal), Jesse Fuller (bass/vocal) and Chris Grant (violin). Wheels North offers powerful three-part harmonies, skillfully crafted song arrangements, and an enticing catalog of originals and covers. Their live show is engaging and energetic, challenging the limits of grass-based music. Having released their first full length album in November 2024 Wheels North is excited to get their second album in the works!