The McCoury Boys Debut at the Kimmel Center in Replacement of Ralph Stanley and his Clinch Mountain Boys, October 9
October 8, 2008
Kimmel Center Presents 2008-09 Season Sponsored by Citi
"Acknowledged contemporary masters of traditional bluegrass…"
The McCoury Boys will make their Kimmel Center debut in replacement of Ralph Stanley and his Clinch Mountain Boys, originally scheduled to perform as part of the John Sebastian and David Grisman concert on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 8pm in Verizon Hall. Due to illness, Ralph Stanley has had to cancel his Kimmel Center appearance. The McCoury Boys include the musical talent of mandolin player Ronnie McCoury and banjo picker Rob McCoury, sons of American bluegrass icon Del McCoury whose band has received the most awards in the history of bluegrass music. Known for their instrumental prowess and collaborations with musical icons Vince Gill, the Allman Brothers and Phish, the group will perform the best of the Appalachian tradition with jazz improvisation.
Mandolinist David Grisman will follow with modern interpretations of bluegrass "Dawg" music alongside harmonica player and founder of the Lovin' Spoonful John Sebastian. Grisman and Sebastian’s longstanding musical friendship dates back to the Greenwich Village "folk revival" of the early 1960’s. The duo will perform works from their recent release, Satisfied (2007), a collection of acoustic duets, among other favorites.
Tickets for John Sebastian and David Grisman Featuring the McCoury Boys are $35, $43, $48, and $56 and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center box office open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings. (Additional fees may apply.) For group sales call 215-790-5883.
A limited number of $10 tickets are available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance at the Kimmel Center. Tickets go on sale the day of the event and can be purchased at the Kimmel Center box office beginning 2.5 hours prior to curtain time and 11:30am for matinees. Limit one ticket per person.
Ronnie and Rob McCoury began playing with their father’s band, the Del McCoury Band, in the 1980’s, revitalizing the repertoire with fresh contemporary arrangements. Albums such as Don't Stop the Music (1988), Blue Side of Town (1992) and Cold Hard Facts (1996) helped propel the band to the forefront of the bluegrass world. The Del McCoury Band has received exposure in the mainstream media for collaborations with the alternative rock group Phish and Steve Earle, and has garnered numerous awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association. Recent albums The Promised Land (2006), the band’s first gospel album, and The Company We Keep (2005) were released to rave reviews.
Nicknamed "Dawg" by Jerry Garcia in 1973 for his unique blend of "Dawg Music," David Grisman has combined bluegrass music with gypsy flavored, old world jazz stylings of Django Reinhardt-Stephane Grappelli. In 1977, Grisman released Hot Dawg, an album that included Stephane Grappelli performing on a few tracks, followed by the 1981 recording Stephane Grappelli and David Grisman Live. He has performed in various bluegrass bands from the Even Dozen Jug Band to the Old and in the Way (band members Peter Rowan, Vassar Clements, Jerry Garcia and John Kahn), and the psychedelic rock group Earth Opera. In 1975, he created his own group, the David Grisman Quintet.
A major catalyst in the mid-60’s rock revolution and the spread of American roots music, John Sebastian released folk-flavored hits like "Welcome Back Kotter," "Do You Believe in Magic?," "Summer in the City," and "Jug Band Music." A performer at Woodstock, he has played harmonica under the pseudonym G. Puglese for the Doors' hit "Roadhouse Blues." More recently, he appeared in the documentary, Chasin’ Gus’ Ghost, which traces the roots of jug band music (Woodstock Film Festival, October 2007). His songs have been covered by Elvis Costello, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Buffett, and more. In 2000, he was inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
Kimmel Center Presents’ 2008/2009 Season is sponsored by Citi. The Great Orchestras on Tour Series is supported by ARCWheeler. Additional support is provided by the University of Pennsylvania Health System, American Express, and Interpark. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents. In-kind support is generously provided by Deloitte. NBC-10 is a media partner for Kimmel Center Presents.
Free in the Plaza programming and subsidized tickets offered to the community and social service groups for $10 are made possible through the Wachovia Gateway to the Arts Community Access Program, supported by a generous grant from the Wachovia Foundation.
The Kimmel Center is the recipient of partnership funding through the nationally recognized PNC "Grow Up Great" initiative, a ten-year, $100 million investment in preparing children for success in school and life. Funding gives support to the Kimmel Center’s early childhood program "Bop and Swing," an arts program for children 1-5 years old, designed to promote an appreciation for American culture.
KIMMEL CENTER PRESENTS SPONSORED BY CITI
Thursday, October 9, 2008 | 8pm
Verizon Hall
World & Pop Series
John Sebastian, vocals, harmonica
David Grisman, vocals, mandolin
The McCoury Boys
Ronnie McCoury, mandolin
Rob McCoury, banjo
Jason Carter, fiddle
Alan Bartram, bass
Featured guests on guitar and vocals
Thursday, October 9, 2008 | 6:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Free in the Plaza
The Baird Sisters
Influenced by Appalachian mountain music, contemporary outsider folk, and Library of Congress recordings of their great-great uncle, I.G. Greer, sisters Laura and Meg Baird highlight their natural harmonies with intimate acoustic guitar and banjo playing; their collection of songs includes haunting versions of traditional favorites, ballads and original compositions. Meg is also a founding member of Espers and recently released her first solo album, Dear Companion, on Drag City.
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