Nationally Traveling Artists in a Small Quiet Room
GET YOUR TICKETS - CLICK HERE NOW!
house concert at 7pm at the Anderson residence in NW Gainesville, FL
This will be a fantastic show in a small room! Be there!
Tickets $27 minimum plus PayPal fee in ADVANCE, $30 MINIMUM at the door.
Door opens at 6:30pm.
It took four quick years for Mason Via to become one of the newest leaders of modern-day American roots music. During that whirlwind period, he toured the world as a member of Old Crow Medicine Show, earned a Grammy nomination for his work on the band's chart-topping album Jubilee, contributed songs to Grammy Winning and Nominated records by Molly Tuttle and Del McCoury Band, and released his solo debut, New Horizons. The momentum continues with Mason Via, a self-titled solo record that balances the progressive with the timeless, reintroducing Mason as a southern storyteller and sharp-eyed singer/songwriter steeped in the bluegrass tradition.
With its acoustic arrangements and top-shelf flat-picking, the new self-titled album "Mason Via " was inspired by the music Mason heard as a child in Appalachia, raised in two mountain towns that straddled the Virginia/North Carolina border. One parent lived in Danbury, NC; the other lived in Patrick County, VA. Mason spent time in both homes, absorbing the musical traditions of an area that hosted fiddlers conventions, banjo competitions, and campfire jams. "I grew up crossing that state line all the time," he remembers. “My dad was an award-winning bluegrass songwriter and momma was a Deadhead who liked bluegrass, too. I was exposed to a lot of picking parties and music festivals when I was a kid, and I was encouraged to play, too.”
He didn't need much encouragement. A naturally gifted singer, Mason began playing the acoustic guitar and mandolin, winning regional competitions while still a teenager. He started writing his own songs, too. By the early 2020s, he'd already flown the flag for bluegrass and folk music on prime-time TV as an American Idol contestant, completed multiple tours as the youngest member of Old Crow Medicine Show, and collaborated with artists like Sierra Ferrell — another Appalachian export who, like him, put her own spin on the music of the mountains.
Mason Via, his followup to a critically-acclaimed debut album championed by NPR and The Oxford-American, is rooted in the mountains, too. After traveling from coast to coast during his time with Old Crow Medicine Show, Mason hasn't just returned to his solo career with renewed purpose and an evolved sense of showmanship; he's also gained a new perspective on his own roots.
"This is like a homecoming for me," he says of the record, whose wide-ranging vision of bluegrass music makes room for progressive pickers (including Aaron Ramsey and Jim Van Cleve, both formerly of Mountain Heart) and traditional icons (like Ronnie Bowman, Junior Sisk, and "Queen of Bluegrass" Rhonda Vincent) alike. "I grew up in the country," he continues, "and once I left it, I missed going to those fiddler conventions and rocking all night in the mud with the bluegrass buddies that I first learned this tradition with. I've realized I'm thankful for where I come from, and this is a story of me going back to those roots."
Songs like "Wide Open" interpolate the riffs of old fiddle tunes into something fresh and original — one of the many tricks Mason learned during his influential time with Old Crow. "It's a way to honor the history of this traditional music that came before you, and still put your own spin on it," he explains. He nods to tradition again with "Oh Lordy Me" and "Mountain Lullaby," two songs laced with three-part vocal harmonies, and punctuated by dobro and fiddle. Showcasing just how diverse his reach can be, "Melt in the Sun" and "Falling" blend rock & roll influences with string-band instrumentation, while "Fireball" (written with fellow Idol contestant Zach John King) leans toward the melody-driven country music Mason heard during his time as a Nashville resident. It was in Nashville that the bulk of the album's co-writes took place, with Mason building up a catalog of love songs inspired by his long-distance relationship with the woman he'd later marry. When it came time to record that new material, he tapped Aaron Ramsey as producer and headed to the bluegrass mecca of Floyd County, Virginia. Joined by a tight group of pickers and harmony singers, he captured the album in a series of live performances, with everyone playing and harmonizing together in real-time. The result is a record that's raw, rowdy, and real, serving as a reintroduction to an artist who, having already left a mark on his genre as a collaborator and sideman, is now reintroducing and redefining his strengths as a solo act.
Mason Via grew up with bluegrass music. It's in his blood. With "Mason Via", he stakes his claim as one of the genre's native sons, coming home after years away to build something new.
GET YOUR TICKETS - CLICK HERE NOW!
house concert at 7pm at the Anderson residence in NW Gainesville, FL
This will be a fantastic show in a small room! Be there!
Tickets $27 minimum plus PayPal fee in ADVANCE, $30 MINIMUM at the door.
Door opens at 6:30pm.
Alan Munde and Tim May met at Camp Bluegrass at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, and have collaborated many times since. They share an appreciation for a variety of forms of music, but always pay tribute especially to the bluegrass tradition. Concert selections will include swing/jazz (particularly from Alan and Beth Mead-Sullivan’s The Great American Banjo Song Book), original compositions by Munde and May, and vocals – with a little dry wit thrown in.
Tim May is a multi-instrumentalist who moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1985. In 2002-2003 he toured with Patty Loveless in support of her bluegrass albums Mountain Soul and White Snow: A Mountain Christmas. In 2005, he recorded on Charlie Daniels’ album Songs from the Long Leaf Pines and was solo guitarist on the Grammy-nominated track I’ll Fly Away. Tim has also toured with John Cowan Band, Rodney Dillard, Kathy Mattea and many others and performed regularly at the Grand Ole Opry as a member of Mike Snider’s Old Time String Band. Tim was selected in the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ category in the 2012 Nashville Scene Reader’s Poll. He is co-author of the eight-volume series Flatpicking Essentials. He also recently released a guitar tab book of Alan Munde's banjo tunes.
Kenny and Amanda Smith
Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 6:30 pm
house concert at the Anderson residence in NW Gainesville, FL
This will be a fantastic show in a small room! Be there!
Tickets $27 minimum plus PayPal fee in ADVANCE, $30 MINIMUM at the door.
Door opens at 6:00pm.
GET YOUR TICKETS - CLICK HERE NOW!
The award-winning duo of Kenny & Amanda Smith have cultivated a reputation of delivering fresh, heartfelt, bluegrass music to stages worldwide for nearly two decades. Known for sincere vocals and stellar musicianship, Kenny & Amanda Smith are one of the most beloved husband-and-wife teams in acoustic music.
Partners in both life and in music, Kenny and Amanda met at a bluegrass festival in the late nineties, while Kenny was performing with the legendary bluegrass group, The Lonesome River Band. Although a young man, Kenny already had a reputation as an ace guitarist, having twice been named Guitar Player of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Amanda had grown up singing in churches and local talent competitions, and her star was quickly rising in the bluegrass community. The two forged a bond over their love for bluegrass music and their dedication to their Christian faith, creating a connection that resulted in lifetime love for the two of them, and beautiful music for the world.
Combining fresh bluegrass songs with Amanda Smith’s passionate singing and Kenny Smith’s inventive guitar work, has proved a winning combination among fans and critics alike. The husband and wife team released their debut album in 2001, and haven’t looked back. Kenny & Amanda Smith were quickly embraced by the bluegrass community, and were named Emerging Artist of the Year by the IBMA in 2003. Amanda Smith was named IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 2014, while the duo has received numerous nominations from the IBMA, SPBGMA and Dove awards throughout the years as well. Kenny’s reputation as one of the most influential flat-picking guitarists of his generation, makes him one of the most in-demand bluegrass guitar players in the industry.
Their knack for identifying hit songs has resulted in Kenny & Amanda Smith being mainstays on bluegrass radio for nearly twenty years. Their catalog includes “Winter’s Come and Gone,” “It’s Not The Wind,” “Randall Collins,” “I Know Where Love Lives,” “I’d Jump The Mississippi,” “Catch Me If I Try,” “You Know That I Would,” and many more hit songs that have filled bluegrass airwaves and charts for two decades.
Their two latest singles, “Feeling of Falling” (Spring 2019) and “Too Often Left Alone” (Fall 2019) are receiving rave reviews, and have fans anxiously awaiting a new Kenny & Amanda Smith album. “Feeling of Falling” has already reached Number One on the bluegrass charts, with “Too Often Left Alone” currently impacting bluegrass radio.
Passion permeates everything that Kenny & Amanda Smith do, both in life and in music. On stage or in the studio, their love for each other comes across in their music, resulting in a rare chemistry that resonates with both longtime and first-time listeners. For nearly twenty years, their music has pulled on the heartstrings of fans of bluegrass and beyond, creating a lasting legacy that has made them one of the genre’s most beloved duos of the 21st century. While making music together is their passion, their proudest role is that of parents to their beautiful daughter, Annabelle.
Luke Bulla
Friday, April 4, 2025 at 7pm
house concert at the Anderson residence in NW Gainesville, FL
This will be a fantastic show in a small room! Be there!
Luke put on a great show in 2023 and we're happy to have him back in 2025!
Tickets $20 plus PayPal fee in advance, $25 at the door.
Door opens at 6:30.
GET YOUR TICKETS - CLICK HERE NOW!
In the spring of 1999, Luke moved to Nashville to establish himself as a full-time musician. He spent his early years in Tennessee playing fiddle in Ricky Skaggs’ band, Kentucky Thunder, which earned him his first Grammy Award.
Following the Skaggs stint, he became a member of the John Cowan Band. More recently Luke has performed and/or recorded with Brandi Carlile, Jim Lauderdale, Darrell Scott, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, Bryan Sutton, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Russ Barenberg Trio, Shawn Colvin, Tony Rice, Chris Thile, Peter Rowan, Patty Griffin, Glen Phillips, Rodney Crowell, and Earl Scruggs, to name a few. Luke was also a perennial instructor at Mark O’Connor’s fiddle camps in his early Nashville years.
With his long-time friend Casey Driessen, Luke founded the band Wisechild, which toured briefly with John Mayer and Counting Crows. He also had a band collaboration, W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration), which included members Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek, Fiction Family), Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek, I’m With Her), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello and the Imposters, The Attractions, Los Lobos), Greg Leisz (Joni Mitchell, Wilco, Sheryl Crow, Beck), and Davey Faragher (Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Cracker).
In 2009, Luke released a solo EP featuring Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Aoife O’Donovan and more.
That same year, Lyle Lovett asked Luke to join his Large Band, and he now tours full time in all of Lyle’s configurations.
In 2015 Luke co-founded a Bluegrass/Americana record label, Pure Music | Nashville, with music and business executive John L. Heithaus. Luke’s LP, Who Loves You Better, was released by the label in May of 2016. Recorded at Zac Brown’s studio, Southern Ground Nashville, the LP was produced by Grammy winner Bryan Sutton.
Who Loves You Better showcases featured vocal performances by Sharon & Cheryl White, Maura O’Connell, Lee Ann Womack, and Sara Jarosz, complemented by a veritable A-List of Americana’s finest musicians, including: Jerry Douglas, Noam Pikelny, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Sam Grisman, Bryan Sutton and more.
Mark Schatz
Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 4pm
house concert at the Anderson residence in NW Gainesville, FL
GET YOUR TICKETS - CLICK HERE NOW!
With his summer 2021 release of GRIT & POLISH Mark Schatz once again proves he’s true a ‘renaissance man’ of the acoustic music world. A two-time winner of the IBMA Bass Player of the Year Award, Mark is best known for his contributions on some of the most iconic recordings in bluegrass by artists such as Tony Rice, Bela Fleck, John Hartford, Claire Lynch, Tim O’Brien, Sara Jarosz, and Nickel Creek. But Mark is also a master of the clawhammer banjo and is featured playing his own compositions on two solo projects on Rounder Records, BRAND NEW OLD TYME WAY and STEPPIN’ IN THE BOILER HOUSE. Mark is always ready to cut loose with some Southern Appalachian clogging and hambone, and his stagecraft was honed through a long association with the acclaimed Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, for whom he still serves as Musical Director.
In early 2020 Mark called on his friend and ace multi-instrumentalist and singer, Bryan McDowell, to tour together as a duo. Live in Mark’s studio they recorded GRIT & POLISH, an acoustic tour de force that moves effortlessly from original fiddle tunes and songs to Louis Jordan Boogie Woogie and Bob Dylan. It garnered the #1 spot on the Folk DJ charts in June of 2021, and came in at #9 for the year!
Mark Schatz - The Solo Concert offered Mark the opportunity to engage an audience in a very personal way with his unique and animated charm and broad skill set. He pulls out all of the stops on banjo, bass and guitar, presenting songs, stories, and tunes, tapping on a board, dancing, and reciting poetry, offering a vaudevillian feast for the eyes and ears.
Always in demand both in the studio and on the road, Mark appears on Bela Fleck’s most recent Grammy nominated project, Rhapsody in Blue. He appears as well on an upcoming solo project by Rick Faris.
Mark currently resides in Berkeley, California with his wife, Lisa Berman-Schatz, who is a graphic designer and fellow musician, and we're lucky to have him come to see us in Florida!
GET YOUR TICKETS - CLICK HERE NOW!
house concert at 7pm at the Anderson residence in NW Gainesville, FL
Luke Bulla
Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 7pm
house concert and fiddle workshop (2-4pm)
at the Anderson residence in NW Gainesville, FL
This will be a fantastic show in a small room! Be there!
Luke put on a great show in 2023 and we're happy to have him back in 2024!
GET YOUR TICKETS - CLICK HERE NOW!
In the spring of 1999, Luke moved to Nashville to establish himself as a full-time musician. He spent his early years in Tennessee playing fiddle in Ricky Skaggs’ band, Kentucky Thunder, which earned him his first Grammy Award.
Following the Skaggs stint, he became a member of the John Cowan Band. More recently Luke has performed and/or recorded with Brandi Carlile, Jim Lauderdale, Darrell Scott, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, Bryan Sutton, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Russ Barenberg Trio, Shawn Colvin, Tony Rice, Chris Thile, Peter Rowan, Patty Griffin, Glen Phillips, Rodney Crowell, and Earl Scruggs, to name a few. Luke was also a perennial instructor at Mark O’Connor’s fiddle camps in his early Nashville years.
With his long-time friend Casey Driessen, Luke founded the band Wisechild, which toured briefly with John Mayer and Counting Crows. He also had a band collaboration, W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration), which included members Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek, Fiction Family), Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek, I’m With Her), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello and the Imposters, The Attractions, Los Lobos), Greg Leisz (Joni Mitchell, Wilco, Sheryl Crow, Beck), and Davey Faragher (Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Cracker).
In 2009, Luke released a solo EP featuring Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Aoife O’Donovan and more.
That same year, Lyle Lovett asked Luke to join his Large Band, and he now tours full time in all of Lyle’s configurations.
In 2015 Luke co-founded a Bluegrass/Americana record label, Pure Music | Nashville, with music and business executive John L. Heithaus. Luke’s LP, Who Loves You Better, was released by the label in May of 2016. Recorded at Zac Brown’s studio, Southern Ground Nashville, the LP was produced by Grammy winner Bryan Sutton.
Who Loves You Better showcases featured vocal performances by Sharon & Cheryl White, Maura O’Connell, Lee Ann Womack, and Sara Jarosz, complemented by a veritable A-List of Americana’s finest musicians, including: Jerry Douglas, Noam Pikelny, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Sam Grisman, Bryan Sutton and more.
Sunday December 3, 2023 at 5pm
House Concert in NW Gainesville, FL
Space is limited so advance reservations for both are highly recommended!
"A multiple-IBMA award winner and long time member of Claire Lynch’s touring band, Jim Hurst is one of the most versatile acoustic guitar players on the contemporary bluegrass circuit. Hurst augments his flatpicking with hints of Merle Travis, and Jerry Reed, bending and sliding until his notes take on an almost vocal quality." David Baxter, No Depression magazine
David Grier in Concert!
Saturday, October 7, 2023
House Concert in NW Gainesville, FL
Space is limited so advance reservations for both are highly recommended!
Get your tickets NOW online here ----------->>>>>>
David is one of the very top acoustic guitar players of all time in my opinion!
Born in Washington, D.C. in 1961, a family move to Nashville at age 3 fully immersed David Grier into the bluegrass music world, and at age 6, he began playing the guitar. Today, he is regarded as one of the premier acoustic guitarists in the world, along with his early influences, Doc Watson, Tony Rice, and family friend Clarence White. Recognized by Acoustic Guitar Magazine in 2000 as one of the Artists of the Decade, and named Guitar Player of the Year three times by the International Bluegrass Music Association, Grier has played on four Grammy Award-winning albums (True Life Blues: A Tribute to Bill Monroe; The Great Dobro Sessions; Alison Brown’s Fair Weather; and Amazing Grace 2: A Country Salute to Gospel).
Having released four albums on Rounder, beginning in 1988 with Freewheeling, Grier launched his own label, Dreadnought Recordings, with the 1998 debut release, Hootenanny, with Dirk Powell and Tim O’Brien (“endlessly inventive and tasteful” - All Music Guide). Evocative (Dreadnought 2009), featuring 10 original tunes and a rich complement of collaborators (Victor Wooten, Paul Franklin, Stuart Duncan and more), has been hailed for its “deep musical introspection” as well as its “unmatchable mastery of the guitar” (Martin Mull). Other Dreadnought releases include the highly-acclaimed Live at the Linda (2007) and I’ve Got the House to Myself (2002) (“unfettered explosive invention” - Tim O’Brien). His most recent release is Fly On The Wall (2014).
house concert featuring
Luke Bulla
Friday, January 6, 2023 at 7pm
at the Anderson residence in NW Gainesville, FL
This will be a fantastic show in a small room! Be there!
In the spring of 1999, Luke moved to Nashville to establish himself as a full-time musician. He spent his early years in Tennessee playing fiddle in Ricky Skaggs’ band, Kentucky Thunder, which earned him his first Grammy Award.
Following the Skaggs stint, he became a member of the John Cowan Band. More recently Luke has performed and/or recorded with Brandi Carlile, Jim Lauderdale, Darrell Scott, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, Bryan Sutton, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Russ Barenberg Trio, Shawn Colvin, Tony Rice, Chris Thile, Peter Rowan, Patty Griffin, Glen Phillips, Rodney Crowell, and Earl Scruggs, to name a few. Luke was also a perennial instructor at Mark O’Connor’s fiddle camps in his early Nashville years.
With his long-time friend Casey Driessen, Luke founded the band Wisechild, which toured briefly with John Mayer and Counting Crows. He also had a band collaboration, W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration), which included members Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek, Fiction Family), Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek, I’m With Her), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello and the Imposters, The Attractions, Los Lobos), Greg Leisz (Joni Mitchell, Wilco, Sheryl Crow, Beck), and Davey Faragher (Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Cracker).
In 2009, Luke released a solo EP featuring Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Aoife O’Donovan and more.
That same year, Lyle Lovett asked Luke to join his Large Band, and he now tours full time in all of Lyle’s configurations.
In 2015 Luke co-founded a Bluegrass/Americana record label, Pure Music | Nashville, with music and business executive John L. Heithaus. Luke’s LP, Who Loves You Better, was released by the label in May of 2016. Recorded at Zac Brown’s studio, Southern Ground Nashville, the LP was produced by Grammy winner Bryan Sutton.
Who Loves You Better showcases featured vocal performances by Sharon & Cheryl White, Maura O’Connell, Lee Ann Womack, and Sara Jarosz, complemented by a veritable A-List of Americana’s finest musicians, including: Jerry Douglas, Noam Pikelny, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Sam Grisman, Bryan Sutton and more.
Currently Luke is happy to be touring again and is working on a new EP slated for release in 2022.
house concert featuring
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and Jason Carter
Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 4pm
at the Anderson residence in NW Gainesville, FL
This will be a fantastic fiddly show!
Brownwyn and Jason have a combined
SEVEN IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year awards.
And it always sounds best in the living room.
SOLD OUT!
house concert with
Michael Godwin and Kristin Oliphant of Gypsy Wind
and special guests
Sunday, August 14, 2022 at 3pm
at Bryson residence in Gainesville, FL
Our 2021 Belle Oaks show is on COVID hold.
We are still hoping to have a show when it's safe for everyone.
Saturday, February 22, 2020
the Second Annual
Belle Oaks Music Festival
at Belle Oaks Barn, Brooker, FL featuring
The Jim Hurst Trio, Trinity River, Backwoods Boys
and your hosts Medicine Springs!
"A multiple-IBMA award winner and long time member of Claire Lynch’s touring band, Jim Hurst is one of the most versatile acoustic guitar players on the contemporary bluegrass circuit. Hurst augments his flatpicking with hints of Merle Travis, and Jerry Reed, bending and sliding until his notes take on an almost vocal quality." David Baxter, No Depression magazine
The Trinity River Band lights the listeners’ way with their unmistakably powerful blend of sibling harmonies, golden songs, and enticingly intricate arrangements. They are chameleons of music, in the fact that they play across styles and genres to make something organically brilliant. The band is centered around the “trinity” of siblings Sarah Harris-Hall, Joshua Harris, and Brianna Harris. Sarah (the eldest) is the main vocalist, mandolinist, guitarist, and front person. Joshua is a world-class multi-instrumentalist, with his main instruments being the resonator guitar, banjo and keyboard. Josh is also a great vocalist. Brianna (the youngest) plays beyond her years as the violinist and is also an accomplished vocalist. Parents Mike Harris on guitar and Lisa Harris on the electric bass add the perfect touches to make these sisters and brother shine.
Medicine Springs website
"With creative original instrumentals and introspective original songs packed into the setlist alongside straight-ahead bluegrass, old swing, and jazz covers, Medicine Springs brings a genre-crossing show that that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The mastery of Scott Anderson on banjo, Gabe Valla on guitar and mandolin, and Christian Ward on fiddle provide some jawdropping moments, and the perfectly solid bass and rhythm guitar and tight lead vocals and harmonies added by Lis and Lon Williamson round out an engaging ensemble of accomplished musicians at the top of their game. They are not to be missed." -Rick Davidson, Musicfest News
Admission $20
stage show 11am to 6pm
Food and drinks onsite, Barbecue dinners available starting at 11:00am
Bring your lawn chairs and instruments
Jamming after the show!
Belle Oaks Barn 11800 SW 157th Lane, Brooker, Florida 904-263-9642
Belle Oaks Barn is on CR18 1.7 miles east of the CR 231/235 and CR18 crossroads in Brooker, FL
just 30 minutes north of downtown Gainesville, 20 minutes from Starke
Belle Oaks Music Festival February 22, 2020 Schedule
11am - 11:45am Backwoods Boys
12:15 – 1:30pm Medicine Springs
1:45pm – 3pm Trinity River
3:15pm – 4:30pm Jim Hurst Trio
Click here for a map from your location to Belle Oaks Barn
PREVIOUS SHOWS:
Steve Smith & Tim May at B Side Vintage,
Saturday, February 15, 2020!
Saturday, February 15, 2020
At B Side Vintage, 601 South Main St., Gainesville, FL
Admission $20
(order tickets online here or visit my Contact page with inquiries)
The Tim May and Steve Smith duo brings an evening of original, traditional and swing music with mandolinist/vocalist Steve Smith and Nashville guitarist/vocalist Tim May. Smith and May originally met while on staff at Camp Bluegrass in Levelland, Texas and quickly discovered many common musical threads for exploration honoring tradition and improvisation. Spotlighting material from their three CD projects, their shows include tight vocal harmonies, dazzling guitar, mandolin, octave mandolin and twin mandolin works throughout a broad range of styles and includes many original vocal and instrumental works.
Steve Smith is not only known as one of this country’s top mandolin players but also as an outstanding educator. Along with his work with the Roots/Bluegrass group The Hard Road Trio Steve has been on faculty at the California Coast Music Camp, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Music Camp, Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp, Zoukfest and Camp Bluegrass (for sixteen years running). Smith has appeared at festivals and venues including Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, High Mountain Hay Fever, Rocky Grass, Swallow Hill, Freight and Salvage, Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival, the Big Horn Mountain Festival, and the Minnesota Old-time and Bluegrass Festival. With the Las Cruces Symphony he has performed works of William Grant Still, Gershwin and George Crumb. Along with thirty years of coast to coast touring, Smith has performed in Ireland, Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Cuba and the US Virgin Islands. He has also performed in musical theater in Cotton Patch Gospel (multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and actor) and the Robber Bride Groom; he composed and performed the score for a production of the Sam Shepard play Curse of the Starving Class. Steve has appeared on over 30 albums as performer and producer including guitar legends Jim Hurst, Mitch Perry, and Tim May, banjoist Bill Evans, Alan Munde and Tim O'Brien. His music has been heard on countless radio stations across the US and on the Discovery Channel, The History Channel and even the Weather Channel.
More on Steve:
Flatpicker Tim May has been working in the Nashville area for over 20 years as a sideman, session player, band member and performer. Higher profile projects have included touring with Patty Loveless and John Cowan, and working as a regular on the Grand Ole Opry with Mike Snider. Tim was the solo guitarist on Charlie Daniels’ recording of I’ll Fly Away, which was nominated for the Best Country Instrumental Performance Grammy in 2005. That same year he was session leader on the critically acclaimed Moody Bluegrass album (he later played on Moody Bluegrass II as well). The Nashville Scene selected Tim in the Best Instrumentalist category in their 2012 Reader's Choice Poll. PK Thompson Guitars, Shubb Capos, Elixir Strings, Benedetto Guitars , L.R. Baggs Pickups and Pre-amps and Breedlove Guitars all have presented professional endorsements to Tim, a serious nod to his talents.
For more on Tim:
Belle Oaks Barn presents
Medicine Springs
in Concert!
Saturday, August 31, 2019
First Annual Mini Festival
at Belle Oaks Barn, Brooker, FL
Bring your lawn chairs and instruments
Jamming after the show!
"With creative original instrumentals and introspective original songs packed into the setlist alongside straight-ahead bluegrass, old swing, and jazz covers, Medicine Springs brings a genre-crossing show that that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The mastery of Scott Anderson on banjo, Gabe Valla on guitar and mandolin, and Christian Ward on fiddle provide some jawdropping moments, and the perfectly solid bass and rhythm guitar and tight lead vocals and harmonies added by Lis and Lon Williamson round out an engaging ensemble of accomplished musicians at the top of their game. They are not to be missed."
-Rick Davidson, Musicfest News
Admission $10
Food and drinks onsite, Barbecue dinners available starting at 5:30pm
RAFFLE!
Belle Oaks Barn 11800 SW 157th Lane, Brooker, Florida 904-263-9642
just 30 minutes north of downtown Gainesville
David Grier in Concert!
Friday, November 17, 2017
House Concert in NW Gainesville, FL
Space is limited so advance reservations for both are highly recommended!
Get your tickets NOW online here ----------->>>>>>
David is one of the very top acoustic guitar players of all time in my opinion!
Born in Washington, D.C. in 1961, a family move to Nashville at age 3 fully immersed David Grier into the bluegrass music world, and at age 6, he began playing the guitar. Today, he is regarded as one of the premier acoustic guitarists in the world, along with his early influences, Doc Watson, Tony Rice, and family friend Clarence White. Recognized by Acoustic Guitar Magazine in 2000 as one of the Artists of the Decade, and named Guitar Player of the Year three times by the International Bluegrass Music Association, Grier has played on four Grammy Award-winning albums (True Life Blues: A Tribute to Bill Monroe; The Great Dobro Sessions; Alison Brown’s Fair Weather; and Amazing Grace 2: A Country Salute to Gospel).
Having released four albums on Rounder, beginning in 1988 with Freewheeling, Grier launched his own label, Dreadnought Recordings, with the 1998 debut release, Hootenanny, with Dirk Powell and Tim O’Brien (“endlessly inventive and tasteful” - All Music Guide). Evocative (Dreadnought 2009), featuring 10 original tunes and a rich complement of collaborators (Victor Wooten, Paul Franklin, Stuart Duncan and more), has been hailed for its “deep musical introspection” as well as its “unmatchable mastery of the guitar” (Martin Mull). Other Dreadnought releases include the highly-acclaimed Live at the Linda (2007) and I’ve Got the House to Myself (2002) (“unfettered explosive invention” - Tim O’Brien). His most recent release is Fly On The Wall (2014).
Jim Hurst in Concert!
Saturday February 27, 2016
House Concert in NW Gainesville, FL
Space is limited so advance reservations for both are highly recommended!
Get your tickets NOW online here ----------->>>>>>
"Jim Hurst is one of the most versatile and tasteful guitar players I know. Whether he's flailing the rhythm for an old time fiddle tune, laying down a funky groove, or finger picking a beautiful ballad, his playing is both impeccable and creative. Accompanying this instrumental virtuosity is a rich and expressive voice with a surprising range." Mark Schatz
Born into a musical family, Jim spent his youth playing guitar under the influences of flat-picking greats Tony Rice, Doc Watson, George Shuffler, and Clarence White. But the finger-style playing of Merle Travis, Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed was the “turn in the road” for Jim. This amalgam of impact defined his technique.
Using his early years to hone his style, Jim’s guitar work and harmony vocals for Holly Dunn’s Rio Band brought his talent to both the national and international stage. Then in 1992, going electric, he played guitar with Trisha Yearwood, touring extensively and appearing on numerous radio and television shows. He also performed with Sara Evans, whose 1998 RCA release No Place That Far features Jim’s vocals and acoustic guitar work.
Craving to play more bluegrass, Jim joined Grammy-nominated Claire Lynch and The Front Porch String Band in 1995, during which time he teamed up with bassist Missy Raines. They began the duet Jim Hurst and Missy Raines while with Front Porch, but then broke off in 2000 to focus solely on their collaboration. Remaining faithful to their bluegrass roots, Jim and Missy explored other genres creating ground-breaking arrangements that wowed the bluegrass community. Their partnership resulted in two Pinecastle Records, Two and Synergy , receiving critical acclaim and garnering them IBMA Guitar and Bass Player of the Year for 2001 and 2002.
Desiring greater freedom to create his own musical path, Jim left the Claire Lynch Band in 2010 to embark on a solo career. Already seasoned with three solo recordings, Open Window, Second Son, A Box of Chocolates, his latest 2012 release, Intrepid, exhibits his deft guitar work and soothing vocals. His shows meet with rave reviews as he astounds his audiences with his brilliant playing yet makes people feel right at home with his humble congenial and funny persona. Jim is currently performing solo full time, both nationally and internationally, as well as teaching at camps and workshops in North America and Europe. Additionally, his highly sought-after talent has led to side projects with other bluegrass greats, most recently Rob Ickes and David Grisman. But his solo show, which allows his personal style and unique creativity to come through in spades, is what keeps his audiences mesmerized.
Steve Smith and Tim May in concert!
Sunday, February 8, 2015
An evening of original, traditional and swing music with mandolinist/vocalist Steve Smith and Nashville guitarist/vocalist Tim May. The two musicians have collaborated in studio and on stages in the southwest and now bring their acoustic brand of fire on the strings to Music Junction in Alachua. Smith and May originally met while on staff at Camp Bluegrass in Levelland Texas and quickly discovered many common musical threads for exploration honoring tradition and improvisation.
Steve Smith is not only known as one of this country’s top mandolin players but also as an outstanding educator. Along with his work with the Roots/Bluegrass group The Hard Road Trio Steve has been on faculty at the California Coast Music Camp, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Music Camp, Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp, Zoukfest and Camp Bluegrass (for sixteen years running). Smith has appeared at festivals and venues including Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, High Mountain Hay Fever, Rocky Grass, Swallow Hill, Freight and Salvage, Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival, the Big Horn Mountain Festival, and the Minnesota Old-time and Bluegrass Festival. With the Las Cruces Symphony he has performed works of William Grant Still, Gershwin and George Crumb. Along with thirty years of coast to coast touring, Smith has performed in Ireland, Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Cuba and the US Virgin Islands. He has also performed in musical theater in Cotton Patch Gospel (multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and actor) and the Robber Bride Groom; he composed and performed the score for a production of the Sam Shepard play Curse of the Starving Class. Steve has appeared on over 30 albums as performer and producer including guitar legends Jim Hurst, Mitch Perry, and Tim May, banjoist Bill Evans, Alan Munde and Tim O'Brien. His music has been heard on countless radio stations across the US and on the Discovery Channel, The History Channel and even the Weather Channel.
Mandolin workshop:
All styles and levels benefit with a warm up including right hand pick direction, tremolo, double stops and scales. We'll then look at double stops as jumping off points for melodies and compare some tunes that have common ground. Next we'll be using blues patterns (Including minor pentatonic and the blues scale) for use in solos and improvisation to develop phrasing in Bluegrass and other styles based on the double stop shapes we examine and how to move in and out of the double stop patterns in any key.
More on Steve:
Flatpicker Tim May has been working in the Nashville area for over 20 years as a sideman, session player, band member and performer. Higher profile projects have included touring with Patty Loveless and John Cowan, and working as a regular on the Grand Ole Opry with Mike Snider. Tim was the solo guitarist on Charlie Daniels’ recording of I’ll Fly Away, which was nominated for the Best Country Instrumental Performance Grammy in 2005. That same year he was session leader on the critically acclaimed Moody Bluegrass album (he later played on Moody Bluegrass II as well). The Nashville Scene selected Tim in the Best Instrumentalist category in their 2012 Reader's Choice Poll. PK Thompson Guitars, Shubb Capos, Elixir Strings, Benedetto Guitars , L.R. Baggs Pickups and Pre-amps and Breedlove Guitars all have presented professional endorsements to Tim, a serious nod to his talents.
Guitar workshop:
Flatpicking guitar improvisation: all levels. Tim will unravel the mystery of improvisation and give you the tools to immediately start doing it: if you are beginner or intermediate you will leave the workshop with the ability to make up solos on the spot to most chord progressions. If you are advanced you will take your playing to the 'next level' with 'chord tone targeting' and 'limiting' exercises. Tim has developed this workshop with Flatpicking Guitar Magazine editor Dan Miller with great success all over the country. We'll look at the vocabulary of improvisation: The Big Four: 1)Scales 2)Folded Scales 3)Crosspicking 4)Harmonized Scales (will spend most of our time on the first two) and briefly look at Major Blues and Minor Blues.
For more on Tim:
Jim Hurst in Concert!
Saturday January 10, 2015
Space is limited so advance reservations are highly recommended!
David Morris - Bluegrass Today has Intrepid CD one of his top 6 CDs of 2012 !!!
"Jim Hurst is one of the most versatile and tasteful guitar players I know. Whether he's flailing the rhythm for an old time fiddle tune, laying down a funky groove, or finger picking a beautiful ballad, his playing is both impeccable and creative. Accompanying this instrumental virtuosity is a rich and expressive voice with a surprising range." Mark Schatz
Born into a musical family, Jim spent his youth playing guitar under the influences of flat-picking greats Tony Rice, Doc Watson, George Shuffler, and Clarence White. But the finger-style playing of Merle Travis, Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed was the “turn in the road” for Jim. This amalgam of impact defined his technique.
Using his early years to hone his style, Jim’s guitar work and harmony vocals for Holly Dunn’s Rio Band brought his talent to both the national and international stage. Then in 1992, going electric, he played guitar with Trisha Yearwood, touring extensively and appearing on numerous radio and television shows. He also performed with Sara Evans, whose 1998 RCA release No Place That Far features Jim’s vocals and acoustic guitar work.
Craving to play more bluegrass, Jim joined Grammy-nominated Claire Lynch and The Front Porch String Band in 1995, during which time he teamed up with bassist Missy Raines. They began the duet Jim Hurst and Missy Raines while with Front Porch, but then broke off in 2000 to focus solely on their collaboration. Remaining faithful to their bluegrass roots, Jim and Missy explored other genres creating ground-breaking arrangements that wowed the bluegrass community. Their partnership resulted in two Pinecastle Records, Two and Synergy , receiving critical acclaim and garnering them IBMA Guitar and Bass Player of the Year for 2001 and 2002.
Desiring greater freedom to create his own musical path, Jim left the Claire Lynch Band in 2010 to embark on a solo career. Already seasoned with three solo recordings, Open Window, Second Son, A Box of Chocolates, his latest 2012 release, Intrepid, exhibits his deft guitar work and soothing vocals. His shows meet with rave reviews as he astounds his audiences with his brilliant playing yet makes people feel right at home with his humble congenial and funny persona. Jim is currently performing solo full time, both nationally and internationally, as well as teaching at camps and workshops in North America and Europe. Additionally, his highly sought-after talent has led to side projects with other bluegrass greats, most recently Rob Ickes and David Grisman. But his solo show, which allows his personal style and unique creativity to come through in spades, is what keeps his audiences mesmerized.
Mark Newton and Steve Thomas
The Claire Lynch Band
featuring two-time
