March 6th, 7th & 8th -2014
Wow! The Spring Bluegrass Festival has turned out to be an awesome line-up. We will keep you informed if any new information becomes available so check back often!
Remember…Thursday is All Gospel Night!
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
Playing music is the easy part,” says Russell Moore with an ever-so-slightly rueful laugh as he looks back on more than thirty years of doing what he grew up wanting to do. “By the time we put this band together”—he’s talking about IIIrd Tyme Out, his musical vehicle for over twenty years now—“I was realistic enough to know that bands come and go. Being able to stay together is the hurdle that everyone faces. So I didn’t have a preconceived notion that someday I’d be celebrating twenty years with IIIrd Tyme Out—but I did feel like I would be playing music for the rest of my life.”
As it turns out, while many bands have come and gone since that May in 1991, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out have endured. In the process, they’ve managed to climb to the top not just once, but twice—winning a slew of IBMA vocal awards, including two Male Vocalist of the Year honors, in the mid and late 1990s, then persevering through rough times to see Moore recapturing the Male Vocalist trophy for the past three years. Along the way, they’ve made a whole new generation of fans, and with the release of Timeless Hits From The Past… BLUEGRASSED by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, the quintet are poised to deliver their distinctive kind of music more widely than ever.
“All the awards, all the recognition, those things are just by-products of doing what we love to do —and of having everybody pulling in the same direction. So to get them is a little overwhelming, sometimes. But when you know that somebody else out there is getting something from you because of your music, well, that’s the thing about music that got me into it—just the love of the music, and the way it made me feel. It always has been therapeutic, and it still is—and you can’t ask for more than that.”
Larry Stephenson Band
Highly regarded as one of Bluegrass Music’s finest High Lead and Tenor vocalist, Larry Stephenson has been a headliner for over twenty years. Larry formed his band in 1989 while living in his home state of Virginia. Stephenson has been a touring bluegrass musician since he played with his Dad beginning in the middle seventies. Born in Harrisonburg, VA and raised in King George, his Dad started him on the mandolin at age five, cutting his first record at age 13. He credits the rich music scene of Virginia for much of his musical success, having seen and heard the first generation bluegrass performers at festivals, shows, and on the radio. After high school graduation, he worked and recorded with Cliff Waldron and Leon Morris while soaking up the Washington, D.C. rich musical scene, which included cutting edge bands like The Country Gentlemen and The Seldom Scene as well as traditional bluegrass and old-time music. Moving onward in 1979 Larry spent 4 ½ years with Bill Harrell & The Virginians. And in 1983 joined the famed Bluegrass Cardinals for 5 ½ years. This combination has been called “…one of the classic lineups of the Bluegrass Cardinals”. Recording with both groups.
In 1992 Larry moved to Nashville, Tennessee and since then, The Larry Stephenson Band has toured widely, recorded frequently, nurturing it’s own sound, based on Larry’s crystal clear, easily recognizable tenor voice, while providing a musical home for some of the finest sidemen in contemporary bluegrass history. Many appearance’s on the Grand Ole Opry and RFD TV have made The Larry Stephenson Band a fan favorite all across the US and Canada. In 1996, Stephenson was made a member of the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame by the Virginia Folk Music Association.
While Larry Stephenson is best known as a touring musician whose voice sets a standard of melody, clarity, and storytelling, he has had an active and well-awarded recording career. He recorded with Webco Records and then spent eighteen years with Pinecastle Records, releasing eighteen CD’s during that period. Signature songs in Larry Stephenson’s vast catalog include “Patches,” “Yes, I See God,” “Clinch Mountain Mystery,” “Many Hills Of Time”, “The Knoxville Girl”, “The Knoxville Boy,” The Pretty Blue Dress” and “The Violet and the Rose.” Another Stephenson fan favorite is his version of Bill Monroe’s classic “Mule Skinner Blues,” often performed as an encore and showcasing his flexible and reliable tenor voice. These songs, always delivered with commitment and conviction are often requested in his live performances at festivals, concerts, and other appearances.
Southern Raised
SOUTHERN RAISED~A unique blend of bluegrass. Classically trained musicians that have taken Bluegrass Gospel to the summit of entertainment.
- 1st Place 2011 CAM Band Competition
- Nominated Top Ten New Mixed Group Singing News Fan Awards
- Nominated Top Five New Artist of the Year Front Porch Fellowship
- Nominated SPBGMA Midwest Entertaining Band of the Year
- Nominated SPBGMA Midwest Gospel Band of the Year
- Nominated SPBGMA Midwest Album of the Year
- Nominated SPBGMA Midwest Vocal Band of the YearNominated SPBGMA Midwest Contemporary Band of the Year
- Nominated SPBGMA Midwest Instrumental Band of the Year
Visit Southern Raised’ Website!
Special Consensus
Special Consensus is a superb bluegrass outfit in a classic vein but with more than enough modern sensibilities to attract every ear in this now pleasantly fractionating genre. The vocals are spotless, the playing as shiny as a newly minted penny, and music like this is the reason people come to love bluegrass… Special Consensus approaches this hallowed American musical form with boundless energy and an aesthetic reverence that tickles the ribs, tugs at the heart, and puts a restless two-step in boots and bare feet. The lead cut, Signs, is emblematic of the entire [new] CD, bursting with high spirits, energy refusing to sit still, precision so tight you can set your watch by it, and pure musicality so infectious that there lives nary a soul that will be able to turn its born and bred ears from tilting leeward to get a better listen…
Visit Special Consensus’ Website!
Goldwing Express
Goldwing Express is made up of Three Native American brothers and their father. A segment of their performance is dedicated for their Indian Heritage. Each Brother wears his very own Native American Headdress which represents the Creek Indian Tribe from which their Mother is from. This family music show comes from Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Now the family resides in Branson, Missouri producing their own music show along with many appearances throughout the United States and into Canada.
Visit the Goldwing Express Website
The Punches Family Bluegrass Band
“The Punches Family are truly destined to become one of the top groups in Bluegrass and Gospel music. They are not only talented musicians, but they are a family that is addictive, sweet, charming, cute, and full of spirit. They are the real American family. You’ve got to experience them to believe them.”
“Great harmonies, hard driving, and very entertaining!” Rhonda Vincent
Visit the Punches Family Band Website
The Cobb Brothers Bluegrass Band
The Cobb Brothers music is primarily influenced by the old time and bluegrass styles of playing. However, they love to include different genres such as swing, jazz, and celtic into our shows. We are originally from McCrory, Arkansas but now live in Mountain View where we do a lot of local performances. We have a weekly show at Brickshy’s Backstreet Theater, and are regulars at the Ozark Folk Center.
Redmond Keisler & Friends
Redmond and Randy Keisler brought their God-given talents and showmanship to the stage for over 27 years. Because of a bad neck surgery, Randy is not able to perform as this time. The Keisler Brothers appreciate their loyal, enthusiastic fans, friends & promoters that have supported them over the years.
Redmond will continue the tradition with long time friends, Roy Hale, Rodney Heslep and Mike Lane on bass as the Redmond Keisler Band. Mike will fill in until Randy is able to perform again, as the Keisler Brothers Band. The band’s love for Bluegrass music, good Christian roots, and rural upbringing gives their music a natural flow for a family oriented, high energy show with something for everyone.
For a special treat this fall is some of Mountain View’s very own Music Roots pickers. These guys and gals may be kids but their talent level exceeds their ages by years! The Music Roots programs throughout the year are some of the most attended shows of the season. Folks come from all over to take in the excitement and music skills of the young entertainers.
Music Roots Ensemble
