Lonesome River Band, featuring Banjo Player of the Year, to Perform at the American Legion Bluegrass Series
California, MD – What a way to start off the New Year but with the Bluegrass sounds of the award-winning Lonesome River Band. They will headline the 3rd concert in the American Legion Bluegrass series along with Fall Line Bluegrass Band. The concert will be on Sunday, January 15, 2017, at the American Legion Post 238 on the corner of Route 381 & Route 231 in Hughesville, MD.
As seen on the Late Show with David Letterman and Steve Martin, The Lonesome River Band (LRB) continues their reputation as one of the most respected names in bluegrass music. Led by five-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) “Banjo Player of the Year” and “Virginia Country Music Hall of Famer” Sammy Shelor, the group holds a powerhouse line-up of award-winning players including vocalist and songwriter Brandon Rickman on guitar, Mike Hartgrove on fiddle, Barry Reed on bass and Randy Jones on mandolin and vocals.
The band is celebrating their Billboard Top 10 Bluegrass Album, “Turn on a Dime” released on Mountain Home Music Company. The album certainly showcases the LRB at the top of their creative game. This long-awaited project includes numerous chart songs including the hit “Her Love Won’t Turn on a Dime” that reached the #1 spot seven times on the Bluegrass Today Top 20.
With over 30 years, the LRB’s enduring career includes 17 albums and numerous awards from IBMA and SPBGMA including “Album of the Year”, “Instrumental Recorded Event of the Year”, including being named “Bluegrass Band of Year”, “Vocal Group of the Year”, “Song of the Year” and Shelor as “Banjo Player of the Year”, five times. Shelor received the 2nd Annual “Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass”. In honor of this award, the Lonesome River Band with special guest Steve Martin made an appearance and performed on the Late Show with David Letterman on November 11, 2011.
During the years with LRB, Shelor has enjoyed performing with many stellar musicians, each of whom had moved on to pursue other musical endeavors. With each personnel change, Shelor looked for new musicians who could not only fill a spot that had been left vacant but also bring in an artist with talents of their own.
They have also been part of other various artists’ projects on Rural Rhythm Records including: “A Bill Monroe 100th Year Celebration – Live at Bean Blossom” (2011) which was produced by Shelor; IBMA Recorded Event of the Year winning album “Life Goes On” (2012) by the Musicians Against Childhood Cancer benefiting St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN; and “God Didn’t Choose Sides: Civil War True Stories About Real People” (2013) that made its debut at #6 on Billboard Bluegrass Album Chart;
In 2012, LRB celebrated their 30th Anniversary with three album releases, Chronology Volumes One – Three. With this newest version of LRB, you can be assured their prominence as one of the most influential acts in bluegrass music is here to stay. In their 30-year career, the Lonesome River Band has been one of the most popular bluegrass groups and continues to set the standard in the bluegrass music world. Whether performing on the famous stage of the Grand Ole Opry or headlining major concert events & festivals, their loyal fans continue to support one of the most loved and most influential acts of our time.
Joining the Lonesome River band on the American Legion concert will be Fall Line Bluegrass Band from Fredericksburg, VA starting off at 2 p.m.
Tickets for the American Legion Bluegrass concert for Sunday, Jan. 15 are $20 per person. Children under 12-years old are admitted free with a paid adult. Purchase tickets by mail by sending a check made payable to “Jay Armsworthy” and mail to P.O. Box 741, California, MD 20619. Tickets will be held at the door.
The remainder of the series features an award-winning “all-star” lineup to include Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out-Sunday February 12, 2017; Sideline Bluegrass Band-Sunday April 2, 2017; and The Grascals-Sunday April 30, 2017. Troy Jones will provide sound for each show.
All shows begin at 2 p.m. with the doors opening at Noon. Fried chicken or pulled pork platters to include Cole slaw and French fries will be available for sale before all the shows by the Sons of the American Legion.
Although it is not a requirement, you are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the Helping Hands Food Bank in Southern Maryland. For more information, tickets, and directions go to www.americanlegionbluegrass.com or call 301-737-3004.
