Blue Highway, Belle Monroe & Her Brewglass Boys

Doors open at 7:30 PM, show begins at 8:00 PM.

At the 14-year mark, Blue Highway is indisputably one of the most esteemed and influential groups in contemporary bluegrass. The band's eight exceptional albums and compelling live performances give proof to the stellar reviews, Grammy nominations, and numerous awards earned by the band since it first took the stage on December 31, 1994. With a deep bench of virtuosic songwriters, vocalists and instrumentalists, Blue Highway's hallmark is an unwavering commitment to the ensemble, the ?democracy of the band? that makes Blue Highway a powerhouse. Individually, Jason Burleson (banjo, guitar, mandolin), Rob Ickes (Dobro), Shawn Lane (mandolin, fiddle, vocals), Tim Stafford (guitar, vocals), and Wayne Taylor (bass, vocals) are masters of their respective roles. Together, in Stafford's words, they are ?a democracy in the best sense of the word?: five gifted artists selflessly merging their talents into a seamlessly brilliant group sound. As a result, the band moves from strength to strength, more mature and impressive with each new album. Blue Highway has five gifted writers in its ranks. Rob and Jason turn out the heart-pounding instrumentals, while Shawn, Tim and Wayne give Blue Highway a depth of songwriting talent unprecedented in sixty years of bluegrass bands. With eight highly-acclaimed albums to its credit, Blue Highway has garnered two Grammy nominations, a Dove Award, topped the Bluegrass Unlimited radio charts, and won numerous International Bluegrass Music Association awards. Refusing to coast on past glories, Blue Highway continues to push its music to new levels of accomplishment. Artfully balanced between tradition and innovation, it remains in the forefront of contemporary bluegrass music. Known for putting the dish in traditional, Belle Monroe and her Brewglass Boys have been surprising Bay Area bluegrass, Americana and alternative country audiences with their sparkling vocals, finely tuned arrangements, inventive delivery and blazing instrumental skills. The core of the band has been together since 1995 and more recently Belle and her Boys wowed the crowd at both the 2001 and 2002 San Francisco Bluegrass and Old Time Festivals. Belle Monroe has been winning audiences around the world with her strong, bluesy bluegrass and swing vocal style for the last 15 years. A veteran of the San Francisco folk, swing and roots music scenes, Belle rounded up a bunch of her favorite local pickers to play some old bluegrass standards and imbibe a brew or two? thus the Brewglass Boys were born. Singer and mandolinist Ted Silverman, along with Tom Drohan on the bass, and Belle on guitar form the core rhythm section. The incendiary steel guitar of Rick Hendricks adds fire and flash to the music. Jordan Klein picks a hot 5-string banjo and sings a few choice numbers, and the newest Brewglass "boy," Diana Greenberg, rounds out the group on fiddle.