27th annual Norwich Family Bluegrass Festival kicks off today
NORWICH – Thousands of bluegrass enthusiasts from across the country are expected to gather through the rest of the week and throughout the weekend as the 27th annual Norwich Family Bluegrass Festival kicks off at noon today at the Chenango County Fairgrounds.
According to event organizers Mike Tirella and Karen May, the festival will once again feature some of the best local, regional and national bluegrass talent that can be found, including Friday’s headliners Goldwing Express, a native American bluegrass ensemble out of Branson, Missouri. The band, said Tirella, is well known for its energetic live show, an entertaining blend of bluegrass and comedy.
Also taking the stage at this year’s festival – Virginia-based James King, eight-time Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America male vocalist of the year; Danny Paisley & Southern Grass; Smokey Greene; Remington Ryde; Larry Gillis; Plexigrass; Dave Nichols and Spare Change; the Jesse Alexander Band; Travers Chandler and Avery County; Texas Rose and the Matthews Family Band.
Hailing from the mountains of the Adirondacks, Cabin Fever will once again play host band this year, stated Tirella, who plays guitar with the group.
Tirella and May said last year’s festival – with its unofficial theme “Daughters of Bluegrass” – was such a success, they decided to continue in the same vein this year with “Sons of Bluegrass” as the theme. Both added that it’s a family-friendly event, where festival-goers can participate if they choose or simply sit, listen and enjoy some quality music all day.
“This is a jamming festival and it’s traditional at festivals such as this for jam sessions to pop-up anywhere, anytime,” added Tirella. “We encourage everyone to bring their guitar, banjo, stand-up bass or mandolin down for a jam at the Jam Tent with Danny Stewart, or they can jam with those performing all across the festival grounds.”
Other activities throughout the weekend will include a pot luck dinner at 6 p.m. tonight, music from 1 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and the popular Gospel Morning Program with Mike and Mary Robinson Sunday morning, followed by music from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. An Open Mic will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday and those wishing to sign-up should do so before 11 a.m. tomorrow. Dave Nichols will be raffling off a custom, pearl-inlay guitar and instructional workshops for bluegrass instruments will be held throughout the day Friday and Saturday. Food and craft vendors will also be available.
Tirella said he’s hoping everyone has a fantastic time at this year’s festival and added that bluegrass is the type of music that’s “of the people, by the people and for the people,” an true American art form.
A four-day weekend ticket for the Norwich Family Bluegrass Festival, which includes three nights of camping, can be purchased for $70 at the front gate of the fairground. Tickets for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are $20, $25, $30 and $20 respectively. Children under the age of 16 are admitted for free if accompanied by an adult.
For more information contact Tirella at (518) 334-6754 or visit www.norwichfamilybluegrass.com.
According to event organizers Mike Tirella and Karen May, the festival will once again feature some of the best local, regional and national bluegrass talent that can be found, including Friday’s headliners Goldwing Express, a native American bluegrass ensemble out of Branson, Missouri. The band, said Tirella, is well known for its energetic live show, an entertaining blend of bluegrass and comedy.
Also taking the stage at this year’s festival – Virginia-based James King, eight-time Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America male vocalist of the year; Danny Paisley & Southern Grass; Smokey Greene; Remington Ryde; Larry Gillis; Plexigrass; Dave Nichols and Spare Change; the Jesse Alexander Band; Travers Chandler and Avery County; Texas Rose and the Matthews Family Band.
Hailing from the mountains of the Adirondacks, Cabin Fever will once again play host band this year, stated Tirella, who plays guitar with the group.
Tirella and May said last year’s festival – with its unofficial theme “Daughters of Bluegrass” – was such a success, they decided to continue in the same vein this year with “Sons of Bluegrass” as the theme. Both added that it’s a family-friendly event, where festival-goers can participate if they choose or simply sit, listen and enjoy some quality music all day.
“This is a jamming festival and it’s traditional at festivals such as this for jam sessions to pop-up anywhere, anytime,” added Tirella. “We encourage everyone to bring their guitar, banjo, stand-up bass or mandolin down for a jam at the Jam Tent with Danny Stewart, or they can jam with those performing all across the festival grounds.”
Other activities throughout the weekend will include a pot luck dinner at 6 p.m. tonight, music from 1 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and the popular Gospel Morning Program with Mike and Mary Robinson Sunday morning, followed by music from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. An Open Mic will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday and those wishing to sign-up should do so before 11 a.m. tomorrow. Dave Nichols will be raffling off a custom, pearl-inlay guitar and instructional workshops for bluegrass instruments will be held throughout the day Friday and Saturday. Food and craft vendors will also be available.
Tirella said he’s hoping everyone has a fantastic time at this year’s festival and added that bluegrass is the type of music that’s “of the people, by the people and for the people,” an true American art form.
A four-day weekend ticket for the Norwich Family Bluegrass Festival, which includes three nights of camping, can be purchased for $70 at the front gate of the fairground. Tickets for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are $20, $25, $30 and $20 respectively. Children under the age of 16 are admitted for free if accompanied by an adult.
For more information contact Tirella at (518) 334-6754 or visit www.norwichfamilybluegrass.com.
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