String music
General
Butler will be one host
of ‘Cradle of Bluegrass Music Trail’
Concerts
to be held at three state parks
and Frankfort Convention center
Staff
Report
(April 2007) – Gen Butler State Resort Park will
be among three state parks to play host to a new bluegrass music tour,
set to begin in April as part of the “Cradle of Bluegrass Music
Trail.”
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Photo
provided J.D.
Crowe will |
The idea of the tour is to promote the dual message that
Kentucky is the home of Bluegrass music and a great state park system,
state officials said.
The “Cradle of Bluegrass Music Trail” is a series of four
bluegrass concerts held at three state resort parks and the Frankfort
Convention Center. The headliner for the April 21 Frankfort Convention
Center show will be the legendary Earl Scruggs, with a Kentucky legend,
Tom T. Hall, serving as master of ceremonies.
The series also includes some well-known Kentucky musicians – Don
Rigsby, Larry Cordle, Bobby Osborne, Grammy and Dove Award-nominated
Kenny Bishop, Melvin Goins, the Grascals and J.D. Crowe and the New
South.
“We’re excited about offering bluegrass concerts at our state
resort parks,” said Parks Commissioner J.T. Miller. “We think
this will add to the variety of entertainment and programming available
at the parks.”
The Grascals’ “Long List of Heartaches” album, nominated
for a Grammy, is at the top of the National Bluegrass Survey, according
to Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine. Crowe’s “Lefty’s Old
Guitar” is second followed by “Hillbilly Heartache” by
Rigsby and Midnight Call.
The series kicks off April 7 at Rough River Dam State Resort Park near
Leitchfield. Following the Convention Center show April 21, there will
be an April 28 concert at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park near Prestonsburg,
and then a May 19 show at Butler Park in Carrollton.
The concerts, sponsored by the Kentucky State Parks and America’s
Bluegrass Inc., all start at 1 p.m. and will feature a combination of
bluegrass and gospel music.
Lodging packages will be offered at the three state park locations that
will include the concert, a night’s lodging, meals and an opportunity
to meet the entertainers.
Ticket prices for the April 21 concert at Frankfort will be $20 in advance
and $25 at the door. Prices for each of the three concerts at state
resort parks will be $15 in advance and $20 at the door. To order tickets,
call the parks at the numbers listed below. For the April 21 concert
at Frankfort Convention Center, call toll free 1-800-741-2707 or visit:
www.parks.ky.gov.
Following is the entertainers schedule for each concert:
• April 7 at Rough River Dam State Resort Park (near Leitchfield,
Ky.; call 1-800-325-1713): The No Bottom Boys; The Palmetto State Quartet;
Tim Surrett
Don Rigsby; Larry Cordle; Kenny Bishop; The America’s Bluegrass
Band.
• April 21 at Frankfort Convention Center (1-800-741-2707):
Earl Scruggs with Family and Friends; Stringtown; The Freemans; Melvin
Goins; Don Rigsby; Larry Cordle; Kenny Bishop; The America’s Bluegrass
Band; Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top Express
• April 28 at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park (near Prestonsburg,
Ky.; call 1-800-325-0142): The Joe Freeman Band; The Singing Cookes;
Melvin Goins; Don Rigsby; Larry Cordle; Kenny Bishop; The America’s
Bluegrass Band; The Grascals.
• May 19 at Gen. Butler State Resort Park (at Carrollton,
Ky.; 1-866-462-8853): Melvin Goins; The Freemans; The Palmetto State
Quartet; Don Rigsby; Larry Cordle; The America’s Bluegrass Band;
Kenny Bishop; J.D. Crowe and the New South.
The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 state parks plus an
interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency
of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges –
more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million
visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy.