Hump Day Two-Fer

Rise Up
Dear readers, my crazy job and life have led me to be REMISS in my shameless pimping of Ohio biggest outdoor bluegrass event of the year. This weekend marks the Seventh Annual Appalachian Uprising in Scottstown, Ohio, nestled in the Appalachian foothills of the heart of it all. Three days of the top bands of bluegrass in the Ohio countryside – what could be better? Four days! Featured artists this year include the Grascals, Nashville Bluegrass Band, the Steel Drivers, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, and Fest favorites Melvin Goins and Sam Bush. There's something for everyone, like the off-beat Avett Brothers. Sample the lineup here.

A big Shout Out to Steve Adamski and Apparition Productions – I hope I can hear all ya’ll all the way up here in Northeast Ohio!


Keel Over at the Kent Stage

Can't make it to Scottstown this weekend? Then join me tomorrow night (Thursday, June 5) at the Kent Stage to hear Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, as they warm up for AU! Keel and his band build their music around some of the best flatpicking in the business and take the sound into some less traditional places with the vocals. An excellent evening of acoustic music in the making. Visit their MySpace page here for a sampling. A particlar favorite of mine is The Ocracoke Song. My sis and I spent many summer days along the Hatteras shoreline, and Ocracoke is a favorite place of hers. It's an island that almost takes you back in time. In this song, there are lots of references to just how close German U boats got to the States. Some of them still sleep at the bottom of the Atlantic there off the Outer Banks.

Summer weather is making a real comeback here this weekend, perfect for picking under the trees. Be sure to keep your instruments safe during the temperature swings.

Enjoy!

MM