THE BANDS...

Hailing from eastern Tennessee and now touring nationwide, Blue Moon Rising is one of the hottest bands on the bluegrass circuit today. Since the debut of their third recording "On The Rise," the group has received national recognition from SiriusXM radio, Bluegrass Unlimited, Billboard Magazine, CMT and Cashbox. That CD spent 10 months in Bluegrass Unlimited's Top 15 Album chart and their song "This Old Martin Box" spent a year in the Top 30 Singles chart. In 2006 they garnered an IBMA nomination for "Emerging Artist of the Year" and their bandleader was featured in the IBMA Songwriters Showcase. Their latest is "Strange New World," currently on Bluegrass Unlimited's "Top 15 Albums" chart, with the song "Time To Be Movin' On" firmly planted on the BU and Sirius XM Radio charts!

Lead by Chris West (guitar and vocals), the band features many of his original songs that help establish the BMR's signature sound. Several fans who have seen the band recently in concert, say the combination of Tony Mowell (bass and vocals), Brandon Bostic (mandolin and lead vocals) and Owen Piatt (banjo) makes for the strongest version of the band yet. We're excited to have them with us this year.

Many Pittsburgh area fans will remember Joe Mullins' great banjo playing and singing from his appearances at the Elizabeth Moose Club with his father Paul "Moon" Mullins in the band Traditional Grass. Since that time, Joe has become a radio station owner, concert promoter, banjo player for the award-winning, all-star group Longview, and bandleader for the Radio Ramblers. Formed in 2006 and based in western Ohio, the Ramblers present a straight-ahead show of traditional bluegrass and gospel music in a relaxed, yet professional manner. They've toured extensively in the Midwest, gaining new fans everywhere they perform.

The bluegrass resume of Adam McIntosh (guitar and vocals) is long, having performed in several regional and national bands, most notably the Dry Branch Fire Squad. Evan McGregor (fiddle and vocals) also has plenty of stage experience, including membership in the Wildwood Valley Boys and James King Band. He's also placed in many fiddle contests over the years. Rounding out the band, Mike Terry (mandolin and vocals) and Tim Kidd (bass) also bring plenty of musical experience to the Ramblers. If you like your bluegrass solid and traditional, you're gonna love this band.

It's always a treat to be able to present great Pennsylvania-based bands that are making a big splash on the bluegrass scene. Central Pa.'s Remington Ryde is just such a band. Playing 100 dates annually, this hardworking group not only puts on a great, traditionally-based show, but also promotes the music by hosting their own festival in July and bluegrass cruise during the winter. They've been featured in Bluegrass Unlimited and Bluegrass Music Profiles magazines and have had their music played on radio stations throught the country and on Sirius satellite radio. Altogether, they have released four CDs.

While their names may not be familiar to our local fans, the band members' talents will soon become apparent during their show. Lead vocals are ably handled by guitarist Ryan Frankhouser. Harmony vocals are provided by Danny Stewart (mandolin) and Wally Yoder (bass). The banjo duties are handled by former National Banjo Championship winner Billy Lee Cox. Newest member Greg Moore (fiddle) has performed with bluegrass artists such as James King, Dave Evans, and Junior Sisk and adds a new dimension to the band. We're pleased this fine group will be joining us for two days!

Formed in 1996 and based in Romney, WV, Lonesome Highway has been a driving force on the regional bluegrass scene. Blending traditional and contemporary styles, plus a dose of original material, they've won numerous band competitions in Maryland and Virginia and placed 5th in the SPBGMA International Bluegrass Band Championship in Nashville in 2002. Their CDs have gotten strong reviews and they've opened for such "heavy hitters" as IIIrd Tyme Out, Marty Stuart, Kathy Mattea, Mac Wiseman and Ricky Skaggs.

Founding members John Arnold (banjo) and Jimmy Kountz (mandolin and vocals) have been playing music together off and on for over 20 years and are well established on the bluegrass circuit. Bassist Tom Suddath's musical background includes both drums and guitar, so he's well-equipped to provide the solid rhythm required for the band. You may remember Buddy Dunlap (guitar and vocals) from his appearance with the band Driving Force who appeared here in 2007. He's a fine songwriter and placed 3rd in the guitar competition at Merlefest three years ago. Newest member Mason Wright (fiddle) is a master on both bluegrass fiddle and classical violin styles. He's performed for eight years with his family's band and studied at the Shennandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA.

You asked us to bring them back, and we're happy to oblige! Since 1989 Northwest Territory has been entertaining audiences with its own unique style and enthusiasm. Bluegrass, gospel, country, fiddle tunes, breakdowns, and original compositions are all part of the band’s repertoire. A 2001 IBMA Showcase Band, their family humor and a fast-paced stage presence make Northwest Territory a favorite wherever they perform.

The members include leader Mike Gorrell (guitar, lead vocals), who has been performing for some 35 years, ten of which were spent with the State College, Pa.-based Whetstone Run. Much of the group’s original material is composed by Mike. Michele Birkby-Vance (fiddle, harmony vocals) has won numerous contests and is a five-time Ohio State Fiddle Champion. Many fiddle fans will remember Michele's great playing from her days when she lived in Greensburg, Pa. Radford Vance (banjo, lead & harmony vocals) brings a variety of traditional bluegrass styles to the group. He has played with Bill Monroe, Laurence Lane, and James Monroe. Playing bass, Darla Evans adds much to the group. She contributes a powerful lead vocal and adds the fourth part to the quartets.

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They've been crowd pleasers at our festival for several years now, so we just had to have them back. From the hills of western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, come outstanding musicians with their blend of traditional bluegrass and innovative originality -- Mountain Therapy. The band is blessed with four fine lead singers who can also pick with the best of 'em.

Lonnie Wellman (guitar) is the driving vocal and rhythm force of Mountain Therapy. His roots are deep in bluegrass as he comes from a rich musical heritage. Tim Custer plays banjo, sings lead and bass, and handles the emcee duties with aplomb. Tim was crowned the Mid-Atlantic Banjo Champion for the second year in a row in October of 2002. Tim was also awarded the Tri-State Banjo Championship five times and the Maryland State Banjo Championship four times. Ron Dick (mandolin) and Mike Ash (bass) joined the band a couple of years ago and have made a great band sound even better. Be sure to pick up a copy of their just-released CD "Focused" that features the band's current lineup. And don't forget to check our "Links" page to get to info about Tim's fine Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival near Somerset.

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Pittsburgh's Allegheny Drifters is one of the strongest vocal bands on the traditional bluegrass scene. Seasoned entertainers, they breathe new life and excitement into many songs and styles yet undiscovered by a large part of today's audience. They've been a part of our festival many times -- 'cause we really like these folks!

Bob Artis (mandolin) and Bernie Cunningham (guitar) are the most recognizable names to western Pennsylvania bluegrass fans due to their individual tenures with the Dog Run Boys, the Dixie Travelers, Second Wind, and Beaver Creek. They've performed together for over 30 years, developing a tight vocal blend. Bob's wife Karen Artis (bass) has over 20 years of musical experience and sings both lead and harmony. Keith Beaver (banjo) has been active in the Ohio and West Virginia bluegrass scene for many years and provides the 5-string "punch" behind the band's smooth vocals. And make sure you check out their CD "Can't Wait." Bluegrass Unlimited says "the vocal blend is tight throughout" and County Sales labeled it one of their "highlight" CDs of the month!

From their humble beginnings of pickin' on the streetcorners of Pittsburgh in 2006, the Mon River Ramblers have demonstrated that "city boys" can play some mighty fine bluegrass music. Adding hints of non-bluegrass influences from their diverse musical backgrounds and a boatload of original compositions, this young, energetic band is quickly winning new fans throughout the area. They've shared the stage with several bluegrass notables and have even taken their show to the festival stage at Telluride, Colorado. Of their CD "27," Bluegrass Unlimited magazine says, "they've come out swinging with a home run."

The band consists of the Kuzemka brothers, Jim and Jeff (guitar and banjo, respectively), with Jim providing lead vocals for the group. The sweet fiddling is provided by Paul Dvorchak and hot mandolin playing by Luke Stamper. Robin Brubaker holds down the "bottom end" on bass and all the band members provide solid harmony vocals. They were a hit with us last year and we're glad to have them back!

Dan Schall is from Zelienople, PA and his ministry started when he was in his teens, as he endured a severe speech impediment. Being blessed with a fine singing voice, Dan now uses his music ministry to share how God has touched his life as he travels far and wide. His concerts include Old Hymns, gospel, bluegrass and country music, along with stories of his life and the people he's met.

In the 1990's Dan was presented with the "Harry Denman Award for Evangelism" by the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Unfortunately, Dan will not be able to join us this year, but we hope to have him back in 2012.