SANDHILL —
Music lovers are in for a great weekend as the 2012 Blazin’ Bluegrass Festival gets underway Thursday.
Now in its eighth year, organizers are excited to report that calls are coming in “from all over the United States, Canada and even Europe.”
Last year, the three-day festival — held at the Sandhill 4H/RV Camp on KY 700 outside of Whitley City — was rated #3 Bluegrass Festival in the state by Kentucky Living magazine. This year’s lineup again features a mix of the genre’s best and rising stars with headliners the Lonesome River Band and the James King Band.
The James King Band — 1997 Emerging Artists of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association — will cap of Thursday night’s schedule which kicks off at 6 p.m. and also features: the Colonel Strings, Kentucky Mountain Trio and Tidal Wave Road.
The festival switches into all-day mode Friday with faith-focused performances starting at 11 a.m. from the Colonel Strings, Kentucky Mountain Trio, The Ward Family, Standing Stone, Barbwire, Kathy Joy Bell, Mavis Hughes, The Daltons, Locust Ridge and Mountain Connections.
Saturday’s activities kick off at 11 a.m. with a veterans ceremony featuring McCreary Central High School’s band and JROTC. Scheduled bands include: Paint Creek, Standing Stone, Mountain Connection, Dean Osborne, Barbwire, Shadow Ridge and headliner Lonesome River Band.
One of the hottest bluegrass acts in the world, the Lonesome River Band released their breakout CD Carrying The Tradition back in 1991. Band leader Sammy Shelor (banjo) has played with several musicians and is currently joined by Brandon Rickman (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Mike Hartgrove (fiddle), Barry Reed (bass) and newest member Randy Jones (mandolin and vocals).
Jones hails from Strunk and joined Kentucky Wind — the band which helped establish the Blazin’ Bluegrass Festival — in 2003.
Early bird camping activities (including children’s games) are already underway, and festival goers are encouraged to take a canoe trip down the Big South Fork as well as a train ride on the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. Special recreation activities will also be offered at nearby Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. Adventure lovers can also take part in a free ATV/UTV guided ride beginning 8 a.m. on Friday. Saturday’s activities include music workshops, a Wounded Warrior benefit bike ride and cornhole tournament.
For more information, visit www.blazinbluegrass.com or call (606) 306-5008. Admission will be charged each day of the festival though three-day passes are available.
Local News
Related Photos
-
The Lonesome River Band will headline the Saturday lineup at the Blazin’ Bluegrass Festival.
Smokin’ Hot Entertainment
8th annual Blazin’ Bluegrass Festival starts Thursday
- Local News
-
-
Feds target local woman
WHITLEY CITY — A Pine Knot woman was arrested yesterday on a federal warrant related to drug trafficking.
Madie S. Parriman, 57, has been indicted by U.S. District Court grand jury for conspiring to -
Bond set in school threat case
WHITLEY CITY — James Paulson, the computer technician accused of making threats while on the job at Pine Knot Primary, was arraigned Thursday in McCreary District Court.
The 50-year-old Stearns man was arrested May 7 after a brief investigation into statements -
Low turnout again for second town hall meeting
WHITLEY CITY — Attendance wasn’t any better for the District 2 Town Hall meeting held Saturday afternoon but the conversation was much livelier.
As with last month’s meeting at the Stearns Depot, fewer than 20 citizens came to this event — -
County budget passes 1st reading
WHITLEY CITY — Topping the agenda for the May meeting of McCreary County Fiscal Court last Tuesday was the first reading of the 2013-14 county budget.
At $7.65 million, this budget is down more than $650,000 from last year’s $8.3 million budget. -
KY 92 dedicated as Veterans Memorial Highway
WHITLEY CITY — Several state and local officials were on hand at the McCreary County Senior Citizens Center yesterday for a ceremony dedicating East KY 92 from the Whitley County line to US 27 as “McCreary County Veterans Memorial Highway.”
-
$how Us The Money!
WHITLEY CITY — Did you know that more than $300 million worth of unclaimed property is languishing in Kentucky coffers waiting to be returned to the rightful owners?
One of those rightful owners could be you and you’ll have the opportunity to find out this week. -
Disgruntled school employee arrested
STEARNS — A Stearns man is being held in the Laurel County Correctional Center without bond after making threatening statements while on the job last week at Pine Knot Primary School.
James M. Paulson, 50, was arrested last Tuesday evening on one count of second-degree -
Litton charged with vehicular murder
SOMERSET — A Somerset man was indicted last week on murder charges stemming from a March automobile accidents which left a McCreary County native dead.
A Pulaski County Grand Jury on Wednesday handed down murder charges for Justin I. Litton, -
Kung Fu Kidd
WHITLEY CITY — When Kenny Kidd was a boy, his hero was martial arts icon Bruce Lee.
Kidd recalls trying to emulate Lee’s fast and furious moves around the house. “I drove my mom crazy,” he laughs. “When I was a kid, I was obsessed with martial arts.” -
BREAKING NEWS: Disgruntled school employee arrested
STEARNS — A Stearns man is being held in the Laurel County Correctional Center without bond after making threatening statements while on the job at Pine Knot Primary School.
James M. Paulson, 50, was arrested Tuesday evening on one count of second-degree Terroristic
- More Local News Headlines
-
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
