THE BANDS...

This is a first for us. We've never booked the same headliner two years in a row -- until now. The five-time, reigning IBMA "Fiddle Player of the Year" absolutely blew everybody away last year! When we found Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper were available again this year, we jumped at the chance to get them back. Michael's recordings include IBMA awards for "Instrumental Album of the Year" three times and a Grammy. Before fronting his own band, Michael served with Rhonda Vincent and Dale Ann Bradley's all-star groups.

As for Flamekeeper, this high-energy band was awarded this year's IBMA "Instrumental Group of the Year" title and several of the band members have had their own IBMA nominations for "Instrumental Album of the Year." Like Michael, Jesse Brock (mandolin) is a Dale Ann Bradley alumnus. Marshall Wilborn (bass) is well-known for his stints with Jimmy Martin, the Johnson Mountain Boys, the Lynn Morris Band, and Longview. Todd Rakestraw (guitar) was a part of the original Union Station band when Alison Krauss was still a youngster. She has since recorded several of Todd's songs. You won't believe that self-taught John Mark Batchelor (banjo) has only been playing for five years. His skills are incredibly strong. This band will surely have the place rockin'!

We introduced Jeanette Williams to our area two years ago and she won many new fans in the process. Jeanette has been the recipient of a number of awards including being named the Virginia Folk Music Association's "State Champion Female Vocalist," PICABO "Entertainer of the Year" (4 times), and PICABO "Female Vocalist" (4 times). She has garnered no less than 6 nominations for SPBGMA "Female Vocalist of the Year." She has recorded more than 10 projects, including the critically acclaimed 1999 Doobie Shea Records release, "Cherry Blossoms In The Springtime", which spent nine months on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Survey Album Chart. She is featured on "Daughters Of Bluegrass, Back To The Well" which earned the IBMA Award for "Recorded Event of the Year" in 2006.

The title track of her forthcoming release "Thank You For Caring" is a duet with country music legend George Jones. Written by Dixie and Tom T. Hall, the song tells the true story of a little girl Miss Dixie met while gathering items for the relief effort in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. A portion of the proceeds from album sales will be donated to the American Red Cross for continuing disaster relief. The new project will also feature Jeanette's song "Enough Of You", winner in the bluegrass division of the 2007 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest. We're excited that Jeanette and her great band will be with us both Friday and Saturday.

The year 2007 marked the 50th anniversary of the Country Gentlemen -- a band that turned the traditional bluegrass world on its ear and cemented its place in bluegrass history. And from 1969 through 1989, Bill Yates held down the bass playing spot in that band, recording such classics as "Redwood Hill" and "The Secret of the Waterfall" among his 17 recording projects. To honor the sound of that legendary band, last year Bill assembled an outstanding cast of pickers and singers and recorded "Bill Yates and Friends, The Country Gentlemen Tribute" for Mastershield Records. The album was so well received that Bill has now "hit the road" once again and is spreading that classic sound to festival audiences nationwide.

As on the CD, the majority of the vocals are handled by Mike Phipps (guitar, typcially with Jay Armsworth & Eastern Tradition), whose voice sounds so much like the late Charlie Waller's that it's scary. Additional vocals are provided by Darren Beachley (guitar, of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver). Making return appearances to our festival are the ever-solid Dave Propst (mandolin) and Dave MacGlashen (bass) who were members of the fine Shenandoah Blue band. Mark Clifton (resonator guitar) comes by way of Cliff Waldron & The New Shades of Grass. If you're a fan of the Country Gentlemen sound (and who isn't?), this is definitely a band that'll take you down Memory Lane.

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.

Lonnie and Marsha Wellman (guitar and acoustic bass, respectively) are the driving vocal and rhythm forces of Mountain Therapy. Their roots are deep in bluegrass and they both come from rich musical heritages. 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. Their CD "Looking Back" is getting great "buzz" in bluegrass circles throughout the country. And don't forget to check our "Links" page to get to info about Tim's fine Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival.

Blue Shades is a south central Pennsylvania bluegrass music band formed in the summer of 2001 and has been a big hit at our festival in the past. It's great to have them back. This four piece group performs a wide variety of bluegrass music ranging from the "high lonesome" sound of traditional music, to the most modern songs of today's more progressive 'grass sound, to the ever popular "bluegrass gospel." Whatever the style, they play it bluegrass. Comprised of four veteran bluegrass performers with nearly 100 years of combined music experience, this band can play any venue -- from a Sunday morning Gospel show to Saturday night festival performance. Whatever your favorite style, they have something you'll like.

Brad Foust (lead and harmony vocals / rhythm guitar and mandolin) performed with "True Bluegrass" band on mandolin and was known for his high tenor work. In the early '80s he performed with the legendary Mac Martin and the Dixie Travelers on mandolin and tenor and lead vocals. Don Fronk (mandolin and guitar / harmony and lead vocals) also started pickin' at the age of eight, and over the years has performed with the bands "Sassafras," "Trade Secret," and "Ground Speed." Troy Wigfield (harmony and lead vocals / bass) has been playing music over twenty years, in bands ranging from country and country-rock to bluegrass. A strong vocalist, he has a wide range and the rare ability to sing bass, lead and tenor. Fairmont W. Va.'s banjo wizard Vince Bartlebaugh provides some of the most creative, tasteful banjo playing you'll hear. Bluegrass Unlimited calls their CD "Chasing Dreams" a "musicial extravaganza that offers something for just about everyone." We agree.

This hot, new Poverty Hollow band is living proof that talent, hard work, and experience are the ingredients that elevate a band from merely "good" to truly "excellent." Blessed with five strong vocalists and solid, creative instrumental abilities, this group is turning a lot of heads on the local bluegrass scene. Their sound is a mixture of the old and new, with a variety of vocal blends and textures.

Most of the faces in the band will be familiar to local fans. Don and Pam Mulhollem (guitar and bass, respectively) have performed for years with the popular Mainline Gospel Band and Pam was the driving force behind the Bluegrass Club at Mount Pleasant High School. John Larimer (resonator guitar, guitar) played both bluegrass with the Pickin@bluegrass band and country/rock with Whitehorse. John also performs solo at various venues and is a talented songwriter. Gary Shaffer (banjo) has reemerged onto the bluegrass scene following the demise of the popular Jerusalem Ridge gospel bluegrass group several years ago. (We're glad he has.) Gary also functions as the band's "harmony mechanic." You'd never know Dave Watson (mandolin, guitar) has only been pickin' for a few years. This 15 year old mando-wiz guested with Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road on our stage last year and showed why he's one to watch.

The Hidden Drive band may be making their debut at LHBG this year, but fans of the northwestern Pennsylvania / northeastern Ohio bluegrass scene are well acquianted with these guys. This solid group has been together for the past 25 years, including 12 years in the current lineup. Needless to say, their skills and sound are well honed. All four sing lead and harmony, which provides extra variety in their shows.

Brothers Jim and Ron Dick (guitar and mandolin, respectively) are the nucleus of the band, having grown up with the music thanks to their parents, Jim Sr. and Audrey, who often join them onstage for a few numbers. (Ron will be a busy guy this weekend, as he's also going to be performing with Mt. Therapy.) They're joined by Faron Reckhart (banjo) and Steve Thompson (bass), both seasoned veterans. A new recording project is in the planning stages. It's about time, guys! They've got some fine music to offer.

You may have caught these young men on our stage two years ago when they appeared as part of the Mount Pleasant High School Bluegrass Club band.While the club no longer exists, this trio has certainly "caught the bluegrass bug" and has formed their own up-and-coming band -- New Generation. The "old-timers" often wonder if the younger folks will carry on the bluegrass sound. Well, these talented young gentlemen will certainly help answer that question.

Brothers Jacob Richter (banjo, vocals) and Ray Richter (bass, banjo, guitar, vocals) are from Normalville, Pa. They are joined by Jacob "J.J." Hauger (guitar, banjo, vocals) of Acme, Pa. They're off to a great start and we're expecting big things from them in the future.

Tom Beckman joined us two years ago and provided musicial workshops for the kids. Needless to say, he's done a bang-up job and we are pleased to bring him back in that same role this year. While his faithful, feathered sidekick Henny Penny the chicken is no longer with us, Tom certainly keeps the kids entertained with his original songs, sing-a-longs, guitar playing, and juggling. OK, he may not be a "bluegrasser" per se, but we don't hold that against him.

In "real life" Tom works in the health care field and lives just down the road from the festival. He's a regular at various musical venues throughout the area, including Fort Ligonier Days and the VYN coffeehouse concerts in Ligonier. His original songs touch kids and adults alike and we're glad he's here to help make our festival a truly family oriented event.

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.

Dan will present his gospel service on Sunday morning.