Don’t miss the third annual River Heritage Bluegrass Festival
By SANDRA STONE The Meade County Museum and Arts Council (McMAC) kicks off the 2006 Summer Concert Series July 15 with the third annual River Heritage Bluegrass Festival. This year’s festival will feature Tommy Brown and County Line Grass, Don Rigsby and Midnight Call, returning for a second year, and Bluegrass 101, returning for a third year. Joining the lineup are newcomers Pine Mountain Railroad and Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers. Master of ceremonies for the festival will be “Country Gentleman” Berk Bryant. “I’m very excited about the opportunity to come back to Brandenburg,” said Don Rigsby. “Brandenburg is a beautiful community. The city’s really nice, and it reminds me a lot of the area where I grew up and still live. That riverfront location is breathtaking. If the folks didn’t take the time to come see this place last year, and if you live there and aren’t taking advantage of all that natural beauty in front of you, you’re missing the boat,” he said. “Brandenburg is fabulous.” But the scenery isn’t the only draw for Rigsby. “Jennifer (Bridge) and I were friends growing up,” said the Elliott County native. “To get to come down and see her and visit is a real thrill.” Rigsby was even more thrilled when he learned his old high school buddy Willard Knipp was living here as well. “I just want to hug his neck,” he said. “It’ll be worth coming down just to see old friends.” Tommy Brown and the County Line Grass features Brown’s two children – a daughter who plays bass and a son who plays banjo. “That little boy can just wear the banjo out,” said Rigsby, awed by the talent of these two youngsters. “I’m a big fan of those kids. Those children are superbly talented, and the style of music they’ve chosen to play – there aren’t a whole lot of folks trying that these days, and I’m tickled that someone that young is doing that music. Especially that boy – he’s astounding on that banjo.” Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers of Louisville and Bluegrass 101 from Cox’s Creek will round out the Kentucky bands taking the stage at the festival. Bluegrass 101 lead vocalist and rhythm guitar player Terry Waldridge formed the band in 1994 and is the only member left of the original group. He began playing in December 1993, when his wife and children gave him a Yamaha guitar. The band’s name – Bluegrass 101 – began as a reminder that they were beginners, and the name has stuck. Waldridge is joined by Michael Yount, Travis Reynolds and Jim Armstrong. Pine Mountain Railroad, the only band not from Kentucky, was organized in 1998 by Kipper Stitt in response to local tourism industry leaders’ need to promote Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Today, Pine Mountain Railroad is a nationally-recognized tour band, entertaining at festivals, concerts and other performance venues in the United States, Canada and on the high seas. Pine Mountain Railroad is the essential five-piece bluegrass band with founding member Stitt still picking the banjo. Joining him are Bill McBee, Jerry Butler, Cody Shuler and Matt “Scooter” Flake, the band’s youngest member and champion fiddle player. Don Rigsby and Midnight Call will be performing most of the songs from their first new recording in three years, “Hillbilly Heartache.” Said Rigsby, “We’ll do our best to do most of the material from it. I think the folks will enjoy what we have to offer.” Rigsby is looking forward to listening to the other bands almost as much as he is to returning to the gazebo at Brandenburg’s Riverfront Park to perform. “It’s a huge entertainment value. You won’t beat it,” said Rigsby of the River Heritage Bluegrass Festival. “The best part of a typical bluegrass festival, if it’s well run like this one, is that there’s not any time a family can’t come and feel completely safe and secure.” The River Heritage Bluegrass Festival starts at 2 p.m. at the gazebo in Riverfront Park. Geno-O-Rides will be on site with carnival rides for the children, and there will be food and beverages for sale. Bring your lawn chairs for a day of music and fun for the whole family.
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Messenger file photo