Premiere Performance of David Grisman
Imagine David Grisman and his quintet right there with us on the top of the hill...on the Winterhawk stage.
This will be a rare opportunity to see David and his quintet. David’s virtuoso mandolin performances throughout the years have earned him a very special place in bluegrass music. He has the unique role of maintaining the traditional tone of the music as well as spawning a new direction. He’s recorded everything from “Old and in the Way”...the best selling bluegrass album of all times...to Latin, gypsy, jazz, cowboy, traditional Jewish folk songs..and his fiercely personal “Dawg” music. By the way, the name “Dawg” was given to David by Jerry Garcia.
The David Grisman Quintet features Enrique Coria from Argentina on the guitar...flautist Matt Eakle, percussionist-violinist Joe Craven and bassist James Kerwin.
David’s independent record company, Acoustic Disc, has just released the second “Old and In the Way” titled “That High Lonesome Sound”...as well as a second “Tone Poems”.
David Grisman and his quintet will undoubtedly generate an indelible influence on this year’s Winterhawk...We can’t wait!
Country Charm of Claire Lynch to Grace the Stage
Claire Lynch has been called the sweetest voice in country music, and her album sales will attest to that. Her newest album for Rounder Records, entitled “Moonlighter”, is a sure fire hit that is staying in the top ten position on the Gavin Magazine Americana Chart.
"Moonlighter” has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Bluegrass Album category. Claire has also been nominated for the IBMA’s Female Vocalist of the year in 1994 and 1995.
Her band “The Front Porch String Band” includes Larry Lynch on the mandolin and the fiddle; Michael McLain on banjo, mandolin and vocals; Missy Raines (everyone’s favorite bass player) and Jim Hurt on guitar and vocals.
We are looking forward to presenting the sweet sounds of Claire and her group to you this year.
Riders In The Sky Are Back
Yes the Riders In The Sky are back with us at Winterhawk. This is America’s most beloved Western trio. Ranger Doug, Too Slim and Woody Paul have hosted a weekly show for National Public Radio since 1988.
Their new album (and pretty good advice) ‘Always Drink Upstream From The Herd’ brings the same beautiful acoustic music and colorful humor to Riders audiences.
They love the audience and the feeling is mutual. They are loved by adults and children alike. In fact, after 18 albums and 3,200, appearances they believe they are just getting started.
Riders have appeared for years on the Winterhawk stage in their colorful cowboy clothes doing what they do best. “We’re out there doing it, staying true to the dream, carrying it to the next step, and still having fun with it. We’re still doing it the cowboy way.”
Winterhawk Welcomes Back Dobro Legend Jerry Douglas
We are thrilled to have Jerry Douglas back with us again at Winterhawk. He’s a consummate musician and performer. Having just won the Grammy award for Best Bluegrass Album for the 1994 “Great Dobro Sessions” Jerry works hard at smashing preconceived notions about bluegrass music.
He’s taken the Dobro to new places and brought some beautiful sounds our way. ‘Skip Hop and Wobble’ with Edgar Meyer and Russ Barenburg is a real treat.
We are especially looking forward to the pairing of Jerry with Peter Rowan. They’ve just done an album for Sugar Hill entitled “Yonder” which will be out in time for Winterhawk. Remember last year, Saturday night, the full moon and Jerry and Peter performing their magic to a sell out crowd... well, they’re back!
Chesapeake will perform ‘Full Sail’
The Winterhawk audience loves Chesapeake, and why not? Starting with Mike Auldridge who’s known worldwide for his incomparable Dobro and occasional Lapsteel, Pedal Steel and Weisenborn Guitar playing. He is known as the “Ledg”, as in legend, he’s got tone, taste and technique. Mandolinist Jimmy Gaudreau is known the world over for lightning fast improvised soloing. Bassist T. Michael Coleman has won two Grammy awards for his producing work. Last, but most definitely, not even close to least is guitarist Moondi Klein who also provides the lead vocals.
The combined talents of this group make them one of the brightest acts on the bluegrass stage. They’ve just released their second album for Sugar Hill entitled “Full Sail”.
Winterhawk has been home to these talented musicians for many years, and this year is no exception.
The Brand New Seldom Scene Will Appear
Let us fill you in on the new faces in the Seldom Scene.
Of course there’s John Duffy with his powerful tenor voice on the mandolin, he’s the backbone and the fashion coordinator of the “Scene”. Ben Eldridge on the banjo, Dudley Connel on the guitar, Ronnie Simpkins on bass and Fred Travers on dobro. Okay now that we’ve done that we can go on to say how pleased we are to once again welcome “bluegrass royalty”.
The Seldom Scene is actually one of the most “seen” groups in bluegrass. They’ve been popular with bluegrass fans for over 20 years. There is a long list of Seldom Scene albums including their 15th anniversary album for Sugar Hill with Linda Ronstadt, Emmy Lou Harris and Rickey Scaggs.
No matter who’s their personnel you can count on this group for first-class, traditional and progressive bluegrass.
Peter Rowan Brings His Magic
Once again Peter Rowan will bring his particular brand of magic to Winterhawk. We are thrilled to have Peter with Jerry Douglas and their new album “Yonder”. Peter is very much at home on our stage, he has been wowing Winterhawk audiences for years.
To fans Peter needs no introduction, having been a “Bluegrass Boy” with Bill Monroe and appearing on the greatest selling bluegrass album of all time “Old And In The Way” just to name a very few accomplishments. He has also recorded 9 albums for Sugar Hill Records.
You won’t want to miss this very special performance of the legendary Peter Rowan.
Legendary Fiddler Richard Greene Returns
Remember the incredible fiddle playing last year?
Well he’s back. Richard Greene will be with us another year to dazzle you with his fiddling. Bluegrass Unlimited calls Richard “one of America’s most influential fiddlers, certainly one of the giants of modern fiddling”. They note that with Richard Greene “you get the complete bluegrass fiddle package: great technique, daring invention, sensitivity to the music’s inner soul and fiery presentation”.
He’s worked with Bill Monroe, Muleskinner, Old And In The Way, Seatrain, Emmy Lou, Tony Rice, Jerry Garcia and many more.
This year Richard has a brand new album with his group The Grass Is Greener, entitled “Wolves A’Howlin”. Check it out on Rebel Records.
John Hartford is a Page from American History
John Hartford wears a bowler hat, a vest, suspenders and usually a fiddle under his chin. John always plays with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
He’s a Renaissance man with two passions, music and the river. He is a Riverboat Captain on vessels up to 100 gross tons. In fact, in the summer John takes a break from traveling to take a shift as the pilot on the ‘Julia Belle Swain’, a historic Paddle-Wheel Steamboat on the Mississippi River.
John taught himself to play, sing and dance all at the same time. His performance is whimsical, musical and contains mostly original music. He’s spontaneous and the act will be different every time you see him. If John’s act is new to you, his music isn’t. He wrote ‘Gentle On My Mind’.
