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This is the 16th season for the Corsair Concert Series in Tawas City, Michigan - presenting nationally-renown Bluegrass and Americana music in an old-time, up close atmosphere.
Presented by the Corsair Trail Council, proceeds from the concert series are used to maintain and operate the Corsair Skiing and Hiking Trails in the Huron National Forest.
Events are held at the Tawas United Methodist Church Family Center, on highway M-55, in Tawas City. Showtime is 7:30 pm. For further information please contact Gary Nelkie (989) 362-2001

..... click on artist's photo (below) for band info .....

October 27, 2007
Corsair Concert Series presents
GRASSTOWNE
The new super-group Grasstowne is poised to be one of the hottest bluegrass bands in the country. With such big names as Leadbetter, Bibey , and Gulley, the band is receiving alot of radio airplay and their song "Dixie Flier" has ascended to the top of the charts.
As a founding member of Mountain Heart, Steve Gulley recorded five CDs that earned him Male Vocalist of the Year nominations from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America. He is also remembered from his early days as the voice of Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.
Alan Bibey, as a mandolinist, was a founding member of Quicksilver, IIIrd Tyme Out and BlueRidge. He has won three International Bluegrass Music Awards. In early 2004, The Gibson Company unveiled The Alan Bibey Signature Series line of mandolins.
Phil Leadbetter has been a member of JD Crowe & the New South and Wildfire. His 2005 solo release, "Slide Effects," was named the International Bluegrass Music Association's Instrumental Album of the Year and affirmed that he was worthy of being named 2005's Dobro Player of the Year. He is currently the only Dobro player to have a signature series dobro with The Gibson Company, which has recently released a limited edition Phil Leadbetter Signature Series Dobro.
Joining the three veterans is banjo player Jason Davis who could be considered a veteran, himself, at age 18, after having been a member of Michelle Nixon and Drive, the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band, and Blueridge.
Bass player Jamey Booher began his career at age 14, with his family's band (The Boohers). Seven years later, his musicianship and professionalism is that of someone twice his age. The Grassotwne sound is rooted in bluegrass tradition while retaining the contemporary edge that their previous groups became famous for. The band has just signed a recording contract with Pinecastle Records, and we welcome them to our stage for their Michigan debut.
Admission: $15. Tickets are available at Nordic Sports. Phone (989) 362-2001
www.grasstowne.com

January 26, 2008
Corsair Concert Series presents
IIIrd TYME OUT
Success for IIIrd Tyme Out was nearly an overnight occurrence for this group after forming in 1991. Founding member Russell Moore (guitar), along with everyone else in the group, created a new tradition in modern bluegrass music. Rounding out IIIrd Tyme Out are Steve Dilling (banjo), Justen Haynes (fiddle), Wayne Benson (mandolin) and Edgar Loudermilk (bass).
IIIrd Tyme Out's seven consecutive IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) awards for Vocal Group of the Year and Russell Moore’s two IBMA ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ awards are proof of the band’s niche as one of the top bluegrass groups in the world. Their acappella renditions of many songs can rarely be matched, and superb instrumentation provides even more quality sound to their rich vocal blends. IIIrd Tyme Out has garnered over 50 industry awards, the last two being ‘Bluegrass Band of the Year’ and ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ (Russell Moore), both by the ‘Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America’ (SPBGMA).
Admission: $15. Tickets are available at Nordic Sports. Phone (989) 362-2001
www.iiirdtymeout.com

March 8, 2008
Corsair Concert Series presents
THE CHARLIE SIZEMORE BAND
Much beloved for both his musical talents and integrity, Charlie Sizemore is highly regarded as a vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist and bandleader. A powerful songwriter, his songs have been recorded by Ralph Stanley, Jimmy Martin, and Doyle Lawson to name a few.
A native of eastern Kentucky, Sizemore was hired at age 17 to take over for the departing Keith Whitley in Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys, with whom he stayed for nine years before leaving to start his own band and to attend college. He graduated with honors, and now maintains a successful Nashville law practice, writes short stories and songs in his spare time and continues to record for Rounder Records.
Over the past 20 years since leaving the employment of Ralph Stanley, Sizemore has garnered a devoted following among fans and performers alike. He has made seven critically acclaimed albums, with guests such as The Oak Ridge Boys, Vern Gosdin, Allison Krauss, Kathy Mattea, Tom T. Hall, J. D. Crowe and Ralph Stanley. He’s appeared on two Grammy nominated albums and also received a Dove award nomination.
Sizemore's band, comprised of: Danny Barnes (Mandolin, Vocals), Matt DeSpain (Dobro), John Pennell (Bass) and Wayne Fields (Banjo), provide the punch and excitement that compliment this talented writer and singer. The Charlie Sizemore Band's current CD, "Good News", is in the #1 position on the national Bluegrass Unlimited Album Chart for March, 2008 !!!
Admission: $15. Tickets are available at Nordic Sports. Phone (989) 362-2001
www.charliesizemoreband.com

April 26, 2008
Corsair Concert Series presents
TONY TRISCHKA DOUBLE BANJO
BLUEGRASS SPECTACULAR
This Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular show will present acclaimed banjo innovator Tony Trischka’s return to acoustic bluegrass terrain - with a unique twist. Tony will bring another renowned performer, as a special guest, to play the second banjo. The Tawas concert will present material from Trischka’s latest album, Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular, which recently received a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album.
Trischka’s return to bluegrass has been met with critical acclaim and taken his career to new heights. Earlier this year he was featured on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday. Soon after, he and fellow banjoist Steve Martin performed together on The Ellen Degeneres Show, the Late Show with David Letterman and, most recently, they appeared on Regis and Kelly.
In October, Trischka was given the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) award for Banjo Player of the Year 2007 and Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular received IBMA awards for Recorded Event of the Year and Instrumental Album of the Year.
On March 25th, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings released Tony Trischka’s latest collection of compositions, arrangements and collaborations, entitled “Territory”. On Territory, Trischka shows his penchant for integrating various styles and methods from around the world and his endless ability to write captivating melodies perfectly suited for the banjo. The arrangements intertwine classic bluegrass and American folk songs as well as a medley of traditional Celtic songs.
Tony Trischka and his amazing Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular band will create a Tawas performance steeped in timeless bluegrass soul, yet entirely contemporary.
In addition to Tony Trischka, the band members for this performance will be:
• Mike Munford - second banjo - an elite player, session musician and instructional author.
• Brandon Rickman - guitar/vocals - current member and lead singer in The Lonesome River Band.
• Amanda Kowalski - bass - former member of Uncle Earl, currently performs with Abigail Washburn (Sparrow Quartet) and with Adrienne Young and Little Sadie.
• Megan Lynch - fiddle - a high demand Nashville session musician, plays fiddle for Pam Tillis, won her first National Championship at age 8 and followed that with three consecutive wins at ages 10, 11, and 12.
This group's command of a number of musical styles will swing the band on a few side trips from bluegrass to other acoustic ports. This will be a night to remember!
Admission: $15. Tickets are available at Nordic Sports.
Phone (989) 362-2001
www.tonytrischka.com

What is “Americana Music”?
American folk music, also known as Americana, is a broad category of music that includes Native American music, Bluegrass, country music, gospel, old time music, jug bands, Appalachian folk, blues, Tejano and Cajun. The music is considered "American" because it is either native to the United States or the music varied enough from its origins that it struck musicologists as something distinctly new. It is considered "roots music" because it served as the basis of music later developed in the United States, including rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and jazz.

Source: Wikepedia

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