ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys—For
the first time ever, visitors and residents can enjoy a blue grass
music festival on the shores of Florida Bay. ICE present the first
annual BayGrass Blue Grass Music Fest, a mix of
some of the best old-time blue grass musicians and some of the
new up and coming stars, including one Grammy award winner.
The bands will play Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Capital Bank Amphitheater
in Islamorada Founders Park (MM87). The festival will run from
11 a.m. - 10 p.m., music begins at noon, and admission is free.
“Blue grass is one of few true American music forms, and
features superb musicians, beautiful harmonies, and distinctive
voices,” said David Feder, ICE president. “The event
offers good clean fun for the entire family and great American
music.”
Grammy winner Mike Compton, Matt Flinner, the Roland Cunningham
Band, and Amanda and Scott Anderson are the featured performers.
“Pickers should bring their instruments since we will have
offstage jam sessions going all day long,” notes Co-organizer
Robby McClung.
Bands:
Grammy award winner Mike Compton, has earned
a worldwide reputation as one of the modern masters of bluegrass
mandolin, and is especially known for his the fiercely hard-driven,
rhythmically intense style. He teams up with Joe Newberry --
prizewinning guitarist, fiddler, singer, as well as a powerful
and innovative banjo player.
Matt Flinner Trio -- Flinner was as a banjo prodigy
banjo before he took up the mandolin. He won the National Banjo
Contest in 1990 and took the mandolin award the following year.
According to Jazz Times, “Flinner continues his reign as
perhaps the most exciting and creative mandolin player on the scene
today.”
Rowan Cunningham Band -- featuring brothers Chris
and Lorin and Sue Cunningham – brings a new sound to the
acoustic music scene. The trio is a musical tour de force, working
with guitars, mandolin and fiddle. They create unique sounds with
the brothers’ soaring harmonies and Cunningham’s sultry
vocals.
Amanda and Scott Anderson -- After years of playing
separately, daughter and father began performing as a duo in 2008.
Amanda handles most of the lead vocals in the duo, as well as supplying
sweet fiddle lines. Scott adds harmony and lead vocals as well
as guitar and banjo. Their repertoire includes Americana and bluegrass
and their dazzling fiddle and banjo duets are favorites at every
show.
Myakka River Bluegrass Band -- These accomplished
musicians have been performing bluegrass music in the Southwest
Florida area for several years.
Bungled and Botched -- Hailing from South Florida,
this band has emerged on the scene with a love of traditional country
and bluegrass and a new flavor and passion for the music and culture
that follows it. The band features guitar, upright base, and electric
fiddle
Barstool Sailors -- Along with his band, Micha
Gardner is a songwriter, musician, fisherman, and tour guide and
local fixture in the Florida Keys music scene. The band’s
music is a mixture of reggae, bluegrass, pop and folk, from which
he forms an earthy, breezy Keys style. Grey Lily will
also appear.
Bay Grass Blue Grass Fest has everything needed for a day of music
and fun in a spectacular setting on the Florida Bay. Concertgoers
(especially families and kids) can enjoy a swim at the bayfront
beach just steps away from the Amphitheater stage. Great local
food will be provided by vendors including: Kayio, Green Turtle,
and the Coral Shores Band Boosters. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and
snacks will be available. A variety of vendors will be selling
jewelry, crafts, etc.
Attendees can bring blankets and lawn chairs, but coolers are
not permitted.
ICE…cool entertainment is a non-profit organization dedicated
to bringing quality entertainment and cultural events to Upper
Keys residents and provides musical and arts scholarships to local
students. |
