Corsair Concert Series Events

Events Schedule

Events Schedule
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This is the 17th 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 .....

January 31, 2009
Corsair Concert Series presents
AUDIE BLAYLOCK and REDLINE

After more than 25 years on the road as a sideman, Audie Blaylock has stepped to center stage, fronting his own hard-driving band and bringing the energy of the early days of bluegrass to every show.
Audie has been performing for years with some of bluegrass music’s most distinguished acts. In 1982, at age 19, he joined Jimmy Martin and The Sunny Mountain Boys and spent many years on the road learning the craft of bluegrass from one of the music's first-generation legends. He is a four-time IBMA Guitar Player of the Year nominee, and has received a multitude of other honors and awards including: the IBMA Entertainer of the Year award as a member of Rhonda Vincent & The Rage; 2007 IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year Award with Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock; a Grammy® nomination for Best Bluegrass Album and an IBMA nomination for Recorded Event of the Year for "A Tribute to Jimmy Martin: The King of Bluegrass".
As one would expect from Audie Blaylock, his exciting new band -Redline - consists of a winning team of remarkable musicians and vocalists with Jason Johnson on mandolin and vocals, Matthew Wallace on bass and vocals, Evan Ward on banjo and vocals, and Patrick McAvinue on fiddle. The word on the street is "This band is hot....the banjo and fiddle player are exceptional." Their new self-titled debut album, Audie Blaylock and Redline, will be released by Rural Rythm Records on January 27th. Attend this concert and be the first to purchase an autographed premier copy from Audie!
Admission: $15. Tickets are available at Nordic Sports. Phone (989) 362-2001
www.audieblaylock.com

March 21, 2009
Corsair Concert Series presents
THE GRASCALS
with KRISTIN SCOTT BENSON

The Grascals launched to prominence as Dolly Parton's backing band during her 2004-2005 tour. In just a little over four years, the Nashville-based six-piece ensemble has become one of bluegrass music's most critically acclaimed groups and their songs dominate the top of the music charts. The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) gave them it's 2005 Emerging Artist of the Year award and Song of the Year award for their hit single "Me and John and Paul". They captured the prestigious IBMA Entertainers of the Year awards in 2006 and 2007, and received two Grammy nominations for their recorded albums.

Recently The Grascals welcomed a new band member, and being big fans of hers, we can't wait to see her performance increase The Grascals artistic momentum. During the past few months Kristin Scott Benson was honored as the current 2008 IBMA Banjo Player of the Year AND the 2009 SPBGMA Banjo Player of the Year.
The Grascals have never sounded better, delivering their trademark blend of traditional bluegrass and classic country with freewheeling charisma, soaring three-part vocals and infectious instrumental firepower.
Admission: $15. Tickets are available at Nordic Sports. Phone (989) 362-2001

May 9, 2009
Corsair Concert Series presents
CHERRYHOLMES

NOMINATED FOR TWO 2009 GRAMMY AWARDS !!!
Inspired by a fateful 1999 trip to a hometown California bluegrass festival, the Cherryholmes family took up some second-hand instruments and taught themselves to play the style of music they had just heard. For the Cherryholmes family, the bluegrass music was more than just a pastime. It was cathartic for dealing with the just recent death of the Cherryholmes' oldest child, Shelley. Shelley's passing led the family to take that road trip to its very first bluegrass festival, and playing music together was planned to be a way to keep the family closely bonded. It was just for fun at first, but within five years, they found themselves signed to Ricky Skaggs' record label, playing the Grand Ole Opry and winning acclaimed awards for their energetic music.
In September 2003, Cherryholmes parents Jere (pop) and Sandy (Mom) packed the four children (ages ten to eighteen) and traveled to Tawas City to perform in our concert series. The family was exploring their potential as a national touring band and their incredible stage show on that September evening was an unforgettable experience for everyone. By April of 2005, the Cherryholmes Family Band had become the current "buzz" in bluegrass circles around the country and we were thrilled when the Cherryholmes returned to Tawas City - one of their pioneer venues - to rouse the audience with an astounding level of musical accomplishment. A few months later, in October 2005, the high-energy band was awarded the IBMA Entertainers of the Year award, the most prestigious honor in bluegrass music. Five short years after their first introduction to music, the Cherryholmes family had risen to the highest rank.
Fast forward to the present: The family now resides in Nashville, Tennessee were they are regular performers on the historic Grand Ole Opry. The band has shortened the name to Cherryholmes, and all six band members pull their creative ideas to form their own new brand of bluegrass music. Every member takes a turn singing lead and showcasing their abilities. Their live shows include twin fiddles, Irish step dancing, classic country yodeling, and old-time claw hammer banjo, in addition to their dynamic contemporary bluegrass.
They have continued to receive many industry nominations and awards – including a Grammy nomination in 2006. Cherryholmes now maintains a very busy international touring schedule, with performances as diverse as headlining a Celtic Festival in Scotland and performing with a 100-piece orchestra in New York City.
We were thrilled when Sandy recently phoned and informed us that the family would like to return to Tawas City for a concert and an update on their successful life journey. Join us as we welcome back Jere (bass), Sandy (mandolin), Cia (banjo), BJ (fiddle, mandolin), Skip (guitar) and Molly (fiddle) for another memorable evening with a truly remarkable family.
Admission: $15. Tickets are available at Nordic Sports. Phone (989) 362-2001
More information is available on the Cherryholmes link at the bottom of this page.

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, Appalachian folk, blues, zydeco 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. For example, traditional bluegrass instrumentation consists of the banjo which originated on the African continent, guitars from Europe, fiddling styles which have their roots in traditional Irish and other Gaelic fiddling techniques, and yodeling from the alpine regions of Europe. It is also 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.

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