Dirty Grass Players
With a nod to the past and a wink to the future from behind their sunglasses, Baltimore's The Dirty Grass Players have been pushing the leading edge of bluegrass music since 2015. As convincing on a 10 minute jam as they are on a 2 minute classic, they find an intersection between progress and tradition that in one set could inspire Flatt & Scruggs to reunite and then break up all over again. With harmonies to please any purist, compositions fresh enough to have been written tomorrow, and improvisations that fearlessly stride to the end of every limb, this band can play as clean as anybody but isn't afraid to get a little dirty.
With two albums and a slew of singles, their latest full-length, “Shiny Side Up”, was produced by Travelin' McCourys guitarist Cody Kilby and reveals a band probing the possibilities of bluegrass with dark themes and adventurous playing. In its praise of the album, Bluegrass Unlimited says, “Shiny Side Up validates the arrival of the Dirty Grass Players onto the scene and shows bluegrass is in good hands going forward." Their first single with the new lineup, a cover of “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” by Jimi Hendrix, reimagines the rock classic with a driving bluegrass arrangement which makes a compelling argument that sometimes looking to the roots is the most inventive approach a band can take.
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Mama Said String Band is an instant classic, since 2016 they’ve been bringing their own brand of the grassroots music you’re so used to hearing to stages everywhere. Based out of Louisville, KY, Mama Said String Band brings a refreshing reinvention to Bluegrass, Folk and Americana while focusing on vocal harmonies and contemporary instrumentation. Having won several notable regional awards including album of the year in the Lexington Music Awards for "Carry The Water", Best Bluegrass Band in the Appalachian Arts and Entertainment Awards, Bluegrass Artist of the Year in the Lexington Music Awards and with three nominations under their belt, they have made a notable imprint in the Kentucky Music Scene. They bring big, relatable emotions and honest songwriting to every show, leaving fans always wanting more.