5th annual Great Midwestern Bluegrass Bash March 9, 2013

The 5th Annual Great Midwestern Bluegrass Bash

Madison, Wisconsin – February 24, 2013

Friday and Saturday, March 8th and 9th, 2013, 8:00 pm

The Great Midwestern Bluegrass Bash returns to the Majestic for its 5th installment on March 8th and 9th, 2013. The two nights of boot-stomping bluegrass features co-headliners (boasting unique setlists each night with no repeated songs) Whiskey Rodgers' Galactic String Band and Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, with special guests , The Tillers, and The Material Boys!

Just off the capital square in Madison, at 115 King Street, the popular Majestic Theatre with its new state-of-the-art sound system has proven to be the perfect venue for cutting edge bluegrass pickin’ and stompin’ entertainment. Previous Bluegrass Bash shows have packed the house with warm and energetic down-home music and dancing, and this one promises to surpass that lofty bar, especially with two whole nights (only one the previous four years) of boot-stomping music.

Hailing from Stevens Point, WI, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades plays progressive high-energy old-time music. Being mostly inspired by rivers, valleys, good friends, and good drink; this five piece is as sturdy as any midwest riverbed and will make your toes tape from sundown to sunrise.
With strong roots in old-time and bluegrass music, the band has formed it's own unique style born from the diverse musical backgrounds and interests of the five friends who make up the band. All born and raised in the great state of Wisconsin, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades began playing shows together in the spring of 2009. Since then, the band has shared the stage with Pert Near Sandstone, Art Stevenson and Highwater, .357 String Band, and many more. Their debut album, Pigtails and Coffin Nails, was released in the fall of 2011 and their most recent CD, Another Round, was recorded in northern WI last winter and is now available to buy online. The two albums feature both original songwriting of the band and traditional music rejuvenated with the band's own spin. The band brings their high-energy love for music and good times around Wisconsin and the Midwest.

Cut off from the Mothership, 5,000 Light Years from home, Whiskey Rodgers' Galactic String Band (WRGSB) had no choice but to groove across the galaxy and lay down their version of Interspecies Bluegrass-infused Rock and Roll! WRGSB, seeded in the heart of the Illinois, first took the stage in August 2012, and will be closing out both nights of the Bluegrass Bash this year. While new to the scene, these boys are no stranger to the stage. With an already impressive line-up and individual bios, the band has carved its own niche in only a short time, already playing some great events and venues, such as Putnam County Music Festival, Kelleher's on Water, Street Fest and The Castle Theatre. In line to play some high profile shows in 2013, WRGSB is due to become a must-see as musicians, talent buyers, and fans alike are breaking out of the woodwork to see and hear what the buzz is all about. Blending bluegrass, honky tonk, blues, folk, funk and a down-right good time, Whiskey Rodgers' Galactic String Band prides themselves on the ability to bridge the gap of genres. Twisting jams from reggae to bluegrass, transforming an oldie into a slamgrass carnival. Leaving every venue begging for more, WRGSB has committed to the motto of "all in good fun," and you should plan on the same!

The Tillers got their start in August 2007 when Cincinnati friends Mike Oberst, Sean Geil, and Jason Soudrette began thumping around with some banjos and guitars and a big wooden bass. “For these three, it's not about scoring the prettiest stage. It's about conjuring up lost songs, keeping them alive. It's about tackling classics, putting a progressive spin on old-time music. Embracing the past, this formerly Punk-ish trio combines forces to rekindle the spirits and sounds of the Depression era,” (C. A. MacConnell, CityBeat Magazine). Always moving, the Tillers continue to enter new territory, and have opened for the likes of Doc Watson, Taj Mahal, .357 String Band, and . Their musical growth can be heard in their newest release, By the Signs, self produced in November 2009 as a follow-up to their debut Ludlow Street Rag. The new album moves through originals in the vein of Delta-style blues, ‘30s-style jazz, and mountain gospel in addition to their signature style of old-time folk. The band’s lineup has also taken new shape. In February 2010, long-time bassist Jason Soudrette fondly parted ways with the group, being replaced by Aaron Geil, brother of guitarist Sean. Recalibrating has not slowed their pace. They continue to plot their travels around the map, electrifying new places and making new friends wherever they go. From place to place, they carry with them more instruments, new songs, and funnier stories. They are Cincinnati’s traveling minstrels. Once you hear them, you will never forget them.

The Material Boys is a seven-piece bluegrass band hailing from the hills of southwest WI, that will be pickin' Madonna hits, assorted pop music gems, originals, and a touch of the traditional. What started as a drunken, humorous notion has matured into a solid outfit of talented bluegrass musicians carving out their own space in the musical landscape. When these Boys take the stage, they're gonna bring you some of the most unique bluegrass you've ever heard. If their name doesn't tip you off, you'll have to catch a live performance to witness their one-of-a-kind take on some of Madonna's greatest hits; seamlessly melded with an ever-growing catalogue of traditional Appalachian bluegrass, original material and a handful of other pop classics. The Material Boys are Alex Holstein on lead vocals and 12-string guitar, Larry "Hound Dog" Hill on steel guitar and lead vocals, Kirk Haskins on mando and lead vocals, Glenn "The Blacksmith" on five-string banjo and vocals, Josh "Doogie" Venden on fiddle and vocals, Erik Riedasch on the bass fiddle and vocals, and Shane Gurno on the steady rollin' washboard and vocals.

With this premier lineup, the 5th installment of the Great Midwestern Bluegrass Bash is sure to be two nights of musical bliss that you don't want to miss!

5th Annual Great Midwestern Bluegrass Bash – Majestic Theatre
All Ages. Tickets for the event are $12 in advance for single day tickets, $15 day of show single day tickets, $20 two day advance passes, available online at http://www.majesticmadison.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/464303260299884/