Friday, February 15

Sound & Spirit presents: Lonesome River Band

Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Northminster Presbyterian Church

On February 15, at 7:00 pm, the award-winning Lonesome River Band brings its unique style of traditional bluegrass to Sound & Spirit - the Arts at Northminster.

This is a FREE concert. Everyone is welcome!

Seating is first-come, first-served, so please arrive early.

(Please note, there is NO bluegrass show Friday, Feb. 22nd.)

More about the band
Since its formation over 36 years ago, the award-winning Lonesome River Band continues its reputation as one of the most popular and influential in Bluegrass music.

Whether performing on the famous stage of the Grand Ole Opry or headlining major concert events & festivals, including down the road from us in Bean Blossom, their loyal fans continue to support one of the most loved and most influential acts of our time. Sound and Spirit welcomes them to Northminster, Friday, February 15 for a free concert in the sanctuary at 7 p.m.

Lonesome River Band’s vocal and instrumental talents seamlessly come together as they perform their trademark sound that fans continue to embrace. The outstanding lead vocals and harmony by acclaimed singer-songwriter Brandon Rickman (guitar) and the 2017 IBMA Momentum Award Vocalist of the Year Jesse Smathers (mandolin) are pure magic and put over the top by the exceptional instrumentals of fiddle extraordinaire Mike Hartgrove, top-tier bassist Barry Reed, and five-time IBMA Banjo Player of the Year and Virginia Country Music Hall of Famer Sammy Shelor. The Lonesome River Band received an IBMA Album of the Year nomination for their self-produced Mayhayley’s House on the Mountain Home Music Company label. They dedicated the album to Mayhayley Lancaster, a self-proclaimed “Oracle of the Ages” who handed out “readings” and personal predictions at her home in southwest Georgia’s Heard County. The bluegrass tinkers of tradition also dedicated the album to its fans; and, to people who understand that traditions once lost are rarely recovered.

The musicianship, song selection and vocals are stellar. With an iconic Bluegrass sound that preserves tradition on one hand, there’s more that has kept the band at the forefront of the genre. Their single, “Wreck Of My Heart,” shows why the Lonesome River Band continues to grow followers as performers and recording artists. This bouncy, three-part harmony, “leavin'” song embodies the band’s willingness to step into new waters. Described as “traditional-based with a contemporary feel,” it’s a new song with a classic sound. We hope they bring this along when they come on February 15.

In 2011, the group appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman featuring special guest host Steve Martin. No slouch on the banjo himself, Martin presented Sammy Shelor with the 2nd Annual Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass. Five years later, in 2016, Sammy and Mike Hartgrove performed with actor Martin Short when Steve Martin was honored with the 43rd American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award – the highest honor for a career in film. The award was presented to Steve Martin during the gala tribute in Los Angeles, Calif. and aired on TBS.

From Bach to jazz to bluegrass, Sound & Spirit concerts celebrate regional and international artistry. These concerts are presented free of charge to the Broad Ripple Community and beyond. Funded by supporters and the audience, we accept a free-will offering to maintain standards of future events.

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