A BLUEGRASS MONDAY 'TWO-FER'  

THE FARM HANDS & BREAKING GRASS

November 14, 2016

 

     The Collins Theatre in Paragould, AR, is the home of Bluegrass Monday, which means that the fourth Monday of each month, KASU-91.9 FM (on the campus of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro) and some wonderful local sponsors provide super bluegrass music to folks from miles around. The events are free; however, the hat is passed for a suggested minimum of a five-dollar donation from each fan. Even better is the fact that all proceeds go directly to the musicians who perform on a particular evening. KASU-91.9 FM Program Director, Marty Scarbrough, does the MC work and even passes the 'Dr. Seuss' hat for the donations. Prior to each Bluegrass Monday show, Terry's Café, just down the way from the theater, opens at 4:30 PM for their delicious buffet dinner. They serve until about 15 minutes before the show, so fans can eat dinner and get a bit of exercise when they walk back to the Collins Theatre. It's a wonderful experience!

 

 THE FARM HANDS  BLUEGRASS QUARTET performed at Bluegrass Monday on September 26, 2016, and they are one terrific band. Accomplished musicians with deep prior credentials, the band really knows their bluegrass and bluegrass gospel music. Band members are TIM GRAVES (Dobro and vocals), DARYL MOSLEY (bass and vocals), KEITH TEW (guitar and vocals), and DON Hill (banjo). The band mixed in a bit of comedy and conversation about fried pies, but their music is just second to none!

     Here is what we heard: Anywhere Is Home, I Never Go Around Mirrors, Foggy Mountain Rock, The Way I Was Raised, Back When Mama Prayed and Daddy Plowed, Medals for Mothers, Nashville Skyline Rag, The River Claimed 109, In a Country Town, Jesus Blazed the Trail, I Saw the Light, Over in the Glory Land, The Dobro Chimes, Dig in the Dirt, Tell Me Baby Why You Been Gone So Long, The Streets of Gold, Am I a Fool for Hanging On, Ask the Blind Man--He Saw It All, and a medley of I'll Fly Away, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, and Glory Glory Glory--Must Be the Hands of our Lord.

     Information: www.farmhandsquartet.com

 

 

 

     BREAKING GRASS rolled into Paragould from their homes in Mississippi and Alabama on October 24, 2016, and this hot young band is already working on their fourth CD. With several band competitions and even Uncle Dave Macon Days under their belts, they are fast becoming seasoned bluegrass professionals. Band members are CODY FARRAR (guitar and lead vocals), TYLER WHITE (fiddle), JODY ELMORE (banjo and vocals), BRITT SHEFFIELD (bass and vocals), and ZACH WOOTEN (mandolin and vocals).

     Here are some of the songs we heard from this up-and-coming band: Carry On; Callin' Baton Rouge; High on the Mountain; Diggin' Up Georgia; Medley: Mr. Sandman, My Girl, Hotel California, I Want It That Way, and Nothing but a Heartache; Nothin' Like Bein' Blue; Cold Rain; Shine; I Guess You Had Other Plans; There in Heaven I'll No More Lonesome Be; That Ol' Grave Is Just a Hole in the Ground; Carry Me Back to East Virginia; Not My Time to Die; April Rain Is Coming Down; So Much for Pretending; Short Shorts; Taking and Giving; Warning Signs (Think I Love You); You Left Before I Could Lie; God's Still Good; I Feel You Near (Cody, for his dad); Be Assured; There Ain't No Need to Shoot Me for It Now; and Uncle Pen

     Information: www.breakinggrass.com

 

Coming attractions at The Collins: THE BLUEGRASS MARTINS  November 28, 2016

Information: www.bluegrassmartins.com