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UID:10001062-1760814000-1760821200@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Donna The Buffalo
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/donna-the-buffalo/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251024T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251024T210000
DTSTAMP:20250725T180920Z
CREATED:20250715T181309Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250725T180920Z
UID:10001069-1761332400-1761339600@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:The Grascals
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/thegrascals/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251028T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251028T210000
DTSTAMP:20250911T204218Z
CREATED:20250911T155706Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250911T204218Z
UID:10001075-1761678000-1761685200@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/haydebluegrassorchestra/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251107T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251107T210000
DTSTAMP:20250725T181245Z
CREATED:20250715T190159Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250725T181245Z
UID:10001068-1762542000-1762549200@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:The Steel Wheels
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/thesteelwheels/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251114T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251114T210000
DTSTAMP:20250808T195435Z
CREATED:20250805T173423Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250808T195435Z
UID:10001071-1763146800-1763154000@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/larrysparks/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251121T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251121T210000
DTSTAMP:20250909T194851Z
CREATED:20250421T162145Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250909T194851Z
UID:10001061-1763751600-1763758800@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/russellmoore/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251205T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251205T210000
DTSTAMP:20250817T001458Z
CREATED:20250808T195130Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250817T001458Z
UID:10001072-1764961200-1764968400@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/rickyskaggschristmas/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251212T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251212T210000
DTSTAMP:20250909T173552Z
CREATED:20250909T172435Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250909T173552Z
UID:10001074-1765566000-1765573200@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Asleep At The Wheel
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/asleepatthewheel/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251213T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251213T163000
DTSTAMP:20251014T143438Z
CREATED:20251006T163402Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251014T143438Z
UID:10001079-1765638000-1765643400@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Randy Lanham & Friends Christmas Jam
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/christmasjam/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Randy-Friends-Christmas-Jam-Square.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251213T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251213T210000
DTSTAMP:20251006T163537Z
CREATED:20251006T162132Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251006T163537Z
UID:10001078-1765652400-1765659600@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Lanham Brothers Jamboree
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/christmasjamboree/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-Christmas-Jamboree-Square.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260131T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260131T220000
DTSTAMP:20260131T225059Z
CREATED:20251018T150006Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260131T225059Z
UID:10001080-1769882400-1769896800@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:John Hartford Days
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/johnhartford/
LOCATION:Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, 42301\, USA
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260214T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260214T210000
DTSTAMP:20251014T183459Z
CREATED:20250921T192011Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251014T183459Z
UID:10001076-1771095600-1771102800@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Yonder Mountain String Band
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/yonder/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260306T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260306T210000
DTSTAMP:20250924T135621Z
CREATED:20250923T194922Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T135621Z
UID:10001077-1772823600-1772830800@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Dan Tyminski Band
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/dan-tyminski/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260313T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260314T233000
DTSTAMP:20260313T173654Z
CREATED:20251114T190526Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T173654Z
UID:10001082-1773396000-1773531000@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Jerry Garcia:  A Bluegrass Journey Farewell Weekend
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/jerry-garcia-farewell-weekend/
LOCATION:Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, 42301\, USA
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/March-2025-Garcia-Square.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260320T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260320T210000
DTSTAMP:20251216T151714Z
CREATED:20251210T184808Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251216T151714Z
UID:10001083-1774033200-1774040400@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Riders In The Sky
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/riders-in-the-sky-2026/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260324T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260324T210000
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CREATED:20260109T194958Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260109T195445Z
UID:10001084-1774378800-1774386000@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:The Fretliners
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/thefretliners/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260412T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260412T170000
DTSTAMP:20251106T184059Z
CREATED:20251027T173810Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251106T184059Z
UID:10001081-1776006000-1776013200@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Jorma Kaukonen & John Hurlbut
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/jormakaukonen-johnhurlbut/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jorma-John-Square-Graphic.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260418T174500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260418T213000
DTSTAMP:20260415T211345Z
CREATED:20260126T160753Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T211345Z
UID:10001086-1776534300-1776547800@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:John Hartford Days
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/johnhartford-april-2026/
LOCATION:Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, 42301\, USA
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260506T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260506T210000
DTSTAMP:20260331T145235Z
CREATED:20260326T170228Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T145235Z
UID:10001088-1778094000-1778101200@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Henhouse Prowlers
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/henhouseprowlers/
LOCATION:Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum – Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T210000
DTSTAMP:20260501T182509Z
CREATED:20260501T164214Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260501T182509Z
UID:10001091-1779908400-1779915600@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Becky Buller & Ned Luberecki
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/becky-buller-ned-luberecki/
LOCATION:Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum – Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260624T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260627T233000
DTSTAMP:20260114T175052Z
CREATED:20260114T175052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T175052Z
UID:10001085-1782288000-1782603000@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:ROMP Festival 2026
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/rompfest2026/
LOCATION:Yellow Creek Park\, 5710 KY-144\, OWENSBORO\, KY\, 42303\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260716T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260716T210000
DTSTAMP:20260715T214114Z
CREATED:20260401T165057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260715T214114Z
UID:10001089-1784228400-1784235600@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:J2B2 - John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/j2b2/
LOCATION:Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum – Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/J2B2-Square.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260723T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260723T210000
DTSTAMP:20260723T153653Z
CREATED:20260428T192051Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T153653Z
UID:10001090-1784833200-1784840400@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Carson Peters & Iron Mountain
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/carson-peters/
LOCATION:Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum – Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Carson-Peters-Square.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260808T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260808T210000
DTSTAMP:20260507T153323Z
CREATED:20260507T153323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T153323Z
UID:10001092-1786215600-1786222800@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Lanham Brothers Jamboree
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/jamboree-august2026/
LOCATION:Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Aug-2026-Jamboree-square.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260812T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260812T130000
DTSTAMP:20260810T144024Z
CREATED:20260721T172243Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260810T144024Z
UID:10001096-1786536000-1786539600@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Sounds of Bluegrass - Ruth McLain Smith
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/ruthmclainsmith/
LOCATION:Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum – Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T130000
DTSTAMP:20260810T144457Z
CREATED:20260721T174805Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260810T144457Z
UID:10001097-1787140800-1787144400@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Sounds of Bluegrass - Shayne Bartley
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/shaynebartley/
LOCATION:Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum – Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260826T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260826T130000
DTSTAMP:20260824T141242Z
CREATED:20260721T175807Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T141242Z
UID:10001098-1787745600-1787749200@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Sounds of Bluegrass - Brenna MacMillan
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/brennamacmillan/
LOCATION:Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum – Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Brenna-Macmillan-Square.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260902T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260902T130000
DTSTAMP:20260724T161909Z
CREATED:20260721T180958Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T161909Z
UID:10001099-1788350400-1788354000@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Sounds of Bluegrass - Laura Orshaw
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/lauraorshaw/
LOCATION:Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum – Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Laura-Orshaw-Square.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260909T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260909T130000
DTSTAMP:20260724T184323Z
CREATED:20260721T181805Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T184323Z
UID:10001100-1788955200-1788958800@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Sounds of Bluegrass - Danny Roberts
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/dannyroberts/
LOCATION:Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum – Woodward Theatre\, 311 W 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260912T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260912T180000
DTSTAMP:20260820T180542Z
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LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T180542Z
UID:10001093-1789214400-1789236000@www.bluegrasshall.org
SUMMARY:Air Show After Party - Feat. The Cleverlys
DESCRIPTION:GET TICKETS(opens in new tab)	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Join us on July 7th\, 2025 for Mighty Poplar! \nTickets are on sale now.  Preferred seating is $37\, and reserved seating is $28. Doors open at 6:00 pm\, with the concert at 7:00 PM. Bar and concessions available. \nAt its heart\, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh\, and the fun of crafting ideas on the fly keeps the musicians on their toes. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses the self-titled record from Mighty Poplar\, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse\, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers\, bassist Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon) and fiddler Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings) coming March 31\, 2023 on Free Dirt Records. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation\, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny\, Eldridge\, Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers\, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project. A lifelong song collector\, Marlin selected and sang lead on most of the songs here\, bringing classics as well as deep cuts from greats like Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard\, John Hartford\, Bob Dylan\, Leonard Cohen\, and Norman Blake. Throughout\, the songs and tunes are as immediate and emotionally impactful as the playing is tasteful. Gathered knee-to-knee in a rural studio outside Nashville\, the collaborative 10-track album emerged organically over a few days. “It felt so special and effortless; it didn’t take work\,” says Eldridge\, “other than the work and effort we’ve put in the rest of our lives.” With their debut album\, Mighty Poplar has captured the fierce and playful energy of an all-night jam between old friends who just happen to be grandmasters of the music. \nSpeaking to the band\, it’s clear that each player joined out of pure excitement to play music with each other. “I’m convinced Alex Hargreaves only knows how to play the perfect notes at the perfect times\,” muses Eldridge. Pikelny speaks highly about Marlin’s innate musicality: “We listen to a lot of Watchhouse at our house. Supporting a singer and songwriter of Andrew’s caliber is about the most rewarding thing I get to do\, so I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate when Greg first pitched the idea for this project.” Marlin talks up the other players' instrumental virtuosity. “When I think about it from a player’s perspective\, I didn’t feel like I belonged in this group; I haven’t spent my life trying to improve my chops. I’ve been more of a song gatherer\,” a humble Marlin admits. That last point is key here\, as it focused the approach to the new album on an appreciation for the roots of bluegrass and for the songs especially. Inspired by the 1980s albums of The Bluegrass Album Band\, which united some of that era’s best bluegrass players\, Mighty Poplar sought to emulate the fun and spontaneity of those inspirational recordings. “My love for the sound and feel of those Bluegrass Album Band records–the energy\, the undeniable chemistry\, the subtle virtuosity–led me to imagine what that might look like in our collective gumbo of today’s bluegrass\,” says Garrison. “We grew up on those records\,” Eldridge continues. “We loved the idea of musicians banding together for a special project where you explore your common influences.” But don’t mistake Mighty Poplar for a tribute record; the band aimed to find their own arrangements and deliver fresh takes on the songs. In Eldridge’s words: “It’s an homage to where we came from\, without it being a recreation of an earlier era.” \nThe songs and tunes on Mighty Poplar run through the history of bluegrass from the earliest Appalachian stringbands (“Grey Eagle”) to the more recent\, “Up on the Divide\,” from Montana bard Martha Scanlan and a reworking of Uncle Dave Macon’s “Lovin’ Babe” by songwriter Kristin Andreassen. Each song was carefully selected; “Even in a karaoke bar these songs would stand up\,” jokes Pikelny. Marlin worked to pick out songs that were also evocative of a time and a specific geography. “Each song feels like it was written from a very personal place\,” Marlin says. “‘North Country Blues’ - you feel that from Dylan. You’re there outside the mill with him reminiscing about the glory days of the steel industry.” One of the most surprising tracks on the album is Marlin’s eloquent and careful reimagination of Leonard Cohen’s “Story of Isaac.”  “Cohen’s version was so heavy\,” says Marlin. “The first time I ever heard him sing that tune I felt like I’d just survived falling down a hill. For our version\, I tried to take this really serious heavy subject and put it to some not-quite-as-heavy music.” Marlin jokes that’s the spirit of bluegrass. “You take sad songs and make them sound a little happier\, and you’ve got yourself a Stanley Brothers album all of a sudden.” \nWith the songs decided\, Marlin suggested recording at a studio in the woods outside of Nashville called The Tractor Shed. A literal converted tractor shed\, the warmth of the studio was the perfect setting to capture the live feel of the music. “The songs really came into their own in front of the mics\,” Pikelny explains. “A lot of first or second exploratory ideas made it onto the record\, as opposed to having an idea being thrown out and having weeks of refining and tweaking. I love catching that initial energy and spark. It means that things won’t always be squeaky clean\, but I’ll take that lightning in a bottle over perfection.” Fueling the interplay between each artist\, these improvisational adventures built a structure for new interpretations of the songs. “You’re constantly in dialogue with the moment\,” Eldridge says. “It’s the ripples\, man\,” Marlin echoes. “You hear someone have a powerful idea and it subtly ripples through the band.” But it was the groove that was most important to everyone. As Marlin explains\, “I’ve never played in a bluegrass setting where the groove was so undeniable. The songs just unfolded because the playing wasn’t something to think about.” \nThere’s a level of curiosity and engagement that’s only found at the highest echelons of music making. What sets Mighty Poplar apart from the members' full time endeavors with Punch Brothers\, Watchhouse\, Billy Strings\, and Leftover Salmon is that this band "is a chance to play real deal bluegrass"\, says Eldridge. Pikelny agrees\, adding that “in some ways this album is biographical for each one of us. It was an opportunity to play the music that we love at our core\, and the music that has informed what we do in our other long-standing projects.” Ultimately\, there was a kind of joy and relief in coming back to their roots in celebration and camaraderie. “There’s a reunion element to this\,” he says\, “which is ridiculous because it was the first time all five of us were in the same room. But the ease in which it came together felt like we were getting the band back together.” \n\n	\n\n\n	\n		\n	Bundle Tickets with Discounted Hotel Stay\nLocated next door to the Hall of Fame\, The Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront is the perfect option for accommodations when joining us for a concert!  Enjoy sweeping riverfront views while staying with our hotel partner.  When you bundle your tickets\, the Hampton Inn offers discounted rates for your stay.  The price includes two tickets to the concert\, and the tickets are located in row H.  You will receive your tickets at check-in with the hotel.  Call the Hampton Inn directly at:  270-685-2005
URL:https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/airshow-afterparty-2026/
LOCATION:Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum Outdoor Stage\, 311 W. 2nd St.\, Owensboro\, KY\, 42301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concert,Events
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