Bluegrass on the Bay

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Tenth Annual Bluegrass on the Bay at the Odd Fellows Park in Great Falls, Mt. for the benefit of The History Museum. Two top bluegrass bands are traveling long distances to make their first appearances at the Annual Bluegrass on the Bay. Gates open at 5 p.m.

They are the headliner band, Town Mountain from Asheville, N.C. and the opening band, 23 String Band from Louisville, Ky.

Held for the benefit of The History Museum, tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the gate. They are available at The History Museum, both Albertsons Stores and Kaufmans. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Food and beverages will be available. Concertgoers are invited to bring their own folding chairs or blankets for the outdoor event. Pets and coolers are not allowed.

Imagine the band that occupies the common ground between traditional bluegrass, outlaw country and pure old time mountain music. A group that harnesses the frantic energy of the modern punk string band, yet still remains respectfully rooted in the tradition of Bill Monroe.

This is Town Mountain, the exciting new sound from Asheville, N.C. Born out of the all night jam sessions and fertile picking scene of Western North Carolina, Town Mountain has emerged as one of the premiere young American bluegrass bands. Great original, tight vocal harmonies, a charismatic stage presence, and instrumental expertise place this group in the upper tier of contemporary acoustic bands.

The members of the headliner band are: Phil Barker, mandolin; Robert Greer, guitar/lead vocal; Jesse Langlais, banjo; Barrett Smith, bass; and Bobby Brett, fiddle. See Town Mountain.com for more information.

Hailing from all around Kentucky, the 23 String Band, the opening band for Bluegrass on the Bay, pays homage to the deep roots of American traditional music, while pushing forward with genre-bending, hard-driving originals and distinctive arrangements.

Their youthful brand of "original hillbilly music" weaves in and out of old-time, bluegrass, acoustic roots and anything else that strikes their fancy. It's a contagious conglomeration that's entertaining and energetic, and will get the audience on its feet and dancing every time.

Raffle tickets, with five prizes totaling $2360, will be sold for $5 each or six for $25. Prizes include a $1500 14carat gold chain necklace with cultured pearls, Sutherland's Jewelry; 100 gallons of free gas from Montana Refining Company, a $300 gift certificate from Scheels Sports; a raft or kayak self-guided day trip, Montana River Outfitters and a $100 gift card from Albertsons.

The History Museum, at 422 2nd St. S., is dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage of this area. In the previous eight Bluegrass on the Bay concerts, more than 7,500 people have attended and over $102,000 has been raised for The History Museum.

For more information call The History Museum at 406-452-3462 or go the event's website: bluegrassonthebay.com.