2016 marks Rocky Neck Bluegrass Band‘s second appearance at Summergrass San Diego. This Southern California based group features Devitt Feeley on mandolin, Craig Ferguson on guitar and Lydia Veilleux on fiddle, and the live ensemble often includes Brian Netzley on bass. Feeley, Ferguson and Veilleux got their start in the bluegrass music field by winning first place in the 2009 Topanga Banjo and Fiddle “Band Contest”. In January of 2012 they followed that up by taking first place in the California Bluegrass Association’s “Great 48 Showcase Showdown”, competing against the top bluegrass bands from across the state.
Rocky Neck Bluegrass Band released their self-titled album in November of 2010. Recorded in a 1920’s cabin in the mountain community of Big Bear, CA, and mastered by legendary bluegrass engineer Billy Wolf in Arlington, VA, the album has been receiving regular airplay on radio stations across the country.
Regarding their debut album, their website states “We wanted to make a bluegrass recording that had the feeling of a living room jam as opposed to the slick Nashville sound. Recording in Devitt’s cabin in Big Bear couldn’t have been a better situation,” says Craig, who engineered the recording. The blend of fresh bluegrass arrangements, original tunes, and traditional music on this album will be attractive to fans of not only bluegrass but also blues, country, and folk-oriented listeners.Devitt Feeley added, “By arranging songs that are not part of the standard bluegrass repertoire like Neil Young’s Comes A Time, we hope to reach out to people who might not know that they’re bluegrass fans.” According to Lydia, “We searched our common repertoire for traditional tunes that still feel relevant today and tried to build fresh arrangements on these timeless songs. By juxtaposing old traditional songs like “Shady Grove” with bluegrass arrangements of more modern songs we hoped to respect traditional bluegrass, while extending a hand to people who aren’t that familiar with bluegrass music.”
The Vintage Martins
What happens when you pair a couple of exemplary bluegrass guitar players and vocalists?
Well, you might just get a beautiful album, Traveled, released last August, and in a couple of weeks, August 20th, 3:00pm at Summergrass San Diego, you’ll get an hour of some of the best bluegrass anywhere. The Vintage Martins, Eric Uglum and Bud Bierhaus bring a resume of talent and experience playing for and with a plethora of luminaries in the country, bluegrass and acoustic genres.
Don’t miss them.
Bluegrass, Etc
No other band represents Summergrass Bluegrass Festival like Bluegrass Etc. This legendary band has been part of so many great Summergrass memories over the year that we’ve lost count.
Although we claim them as our own, Bluegrass, Etc. are known worldwide for their stellar music and stage antics. They are both entertaining and masters of their instruments. Dennis Caplinger on banjo and fiddle (and anything else he wants to play), is joined by John Moore, who plays a stunning guitar and mandolin, and the legendary Steve Spurgin on bass. Together they perform bluegrass (and etc.) to the delight of their audiences. It’s a real treat to have these hometown heroes return again to our stage!
Bluegrass, Etc. will take the stage Friday and Saturday at Summergrass 2016.
Video below courtesy Paul Grinvalsky, Alvin Blaine and Old Blue Sound
Chris Henry & the Hardcore Grass
CHRIS HENRY & HARDCORE GRASS
Chris Henry and the Hardcore Grass comes to Summergrass 2016 by popular demand. The multi-talented Henry has been described as a master, innovative, and by the IBMA during one of several award nominations as “the premiere Monroe-style mandolinist of his generation.”
Whether it’s a national festival or a small town event, Chris Henry and the Hardcore Grass will bring a powerful show full of memorable moments to diverse audiences. Chris comes from a traditional bluegrass background and blends his classic sound with his own creativity. His unique brand of bluegrass has been known to excite audiences from front porches to the Grand Old Opry. Visit Chris and his band at http://christopherhenry.net/hardcore-grass/ Don’t miss this great young bluegrass act Friday and Saturday at Summergrass!
Save
Rocky Neck Bluegrass Band
2016 marks Rocky Neck Bluegrass Band‘s second appearance at Summergrass San Diego. This Southern California based group features Devitt Feeley on mandolin, Craig Ferguson on guitar and Lydia Veilleux on fiddle, and the live ensemble often includes Brian Netzley on bass. Feeley, Ferguson and Veilleux got their start in the bluegrass music field by winning first place in the 2009 Topanga Banjo and Fiddle “Band Contest”. In January of 2012 they followed that up by taking first place in the California Bluegrass Association’s “Great 48 Showcase Showdown”, competing against the top bluegrass bands from across the state.
Rocky Neck Bluegrass Band released their self-titled album in November of 2010. Recorded in a 1920’s cabin in the mountain community of Big Bear, CA, and mastered by legendary bluegrass engineer Billy Wolf in Arlington, VA, the album has been receiving regular airplay on radio stations across the country.
Regarding their debut album, their website states “We wanted to make a bluegrass recording that had the feeling of a living room jam as opposed to the slick Nashville sound. Recording in Devitt’s cabin in Big Bear couldn’t have been a better situation,” says Craig, who engineered the recording. The blend of fresh bluegrass arrangements, original tunes, and traditional music on this album will be attractive to fans of not only bluegrass but also blues, country, and folk-oriented listeners.Devitt Feeley added, “By arranging songs that are not part of the standard bluegrass repertoire like Neil Young’s Comes A Time, we hope to reach out to people who might not know that they’re bluegrass fans.” According to Lydia, “We searched our common repertoire for traditional tunes that still feel relevant today and tried to build fresh arrangements on these timeless songs. By juxtaposing old traditional songs like “Shady Grove” with bluegrass arrangements of more modern songs we hoped to respect traditional bluegrass, while extending a hand to people who aren’t that familiar with bluegrass music.”
Burning Heart Bluegrass
There is nothing like the sound of guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and doghouse bass when they get into that special Bluegrass groove. Add to that high-powered vocals and soaring harmonies and you have Burning Heart Bluegrass. This great new band includes Jeff Fleck on guitar, Dan Sankey on mandolin, Keith Chagnon on banjo, Ron Vance on bass, and Steve Rosenstein on fiddle.
With nearly 100 years of musical experience between them, the members of Burning Heart Bluegrass delivers the bluegrass essentials with energy, drive, passion, and precision. Drawing it’s repertoire from old and new Bluegrass classics, BHB serves up a genuine Bluegrass experience, no gimmicks, upgrades, or additives!
Save