...for hot licks and finger pickin' fun."

"I'm having so much fun I think I'll give my money back."
- Merle Haggard

Sunday, June 19, 2005 6:32 PM

Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder
(Sunday)

  Think of What You've Done

Receiving his 14th Grammy for “Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 and 1947,” Ricky Skaggs is now embarking on a new musical project – releasing his landmark 1980’s album for the first time on his own Skaggs Family Records. The first reissue will be “Highways & Heartaches,” the platinum selling 1982 album that spawned three #1 country hits for Skaggs. He returns to the Huck Finn Jubilee with his band Kentucky Thunder in a Father’s Day evening concert at 6 p.m.

Dailey and Vincent
(Friday)

    Cumberland River

Within 12 months of forming their own unit, the duo received seven International Bluegrass Music Awards including “2008 Entertainer of the Year.” Sirius XM radio’s air play and an appearance on A Prairie Home Companion are now bringing them a worldwide audience and a blazing tour schedule. February provided six SPBGMA music awards, March 31, the release of their second album “Brothers from Different Mothers” and a June 19th stop in Southern California at the Huck Finn Jubilee further showcase the duo as one of the most heralded new acts in Bluegrass today.

The Grascals
(Saturday)

    Keep On Walkin'

You might have heard them on CMTs Insider talking about their recent recording sessions with Hank Williams Jr., or listened to “Keep on Walking” as it climbed to the #1 spot on the National Bluegrass Survey in January. But, the story behind this trademark band began in 2004 with their debut album “The Grascals” and a sold out tour with Dolly Parton. Two International Bluegrass Music Association “Entertainer of the Year” awards followed in 2006 and 2007 along with Grammy nominations for “The Grascals” and “Long List of Heartaches.” The band returns to Southern California and performs twice on Saturday’s main stage, and offers a workshop in the early evening.

   Lookin' For Yourself

After 27 years and a variety of vocal & rhythm changes, the constant in the wildly popular LRB sound has been Sammy Shelor’s insistent driving banjo style. The International Bluegrass Music Association’s four time “Banjo Player of the Year,” Shelor is followed by a worldwide audience of dedicated banjo pickers. The new LRB’s sound is as good, if not better than its previous ensembles. Shelor surrounds himself with Mike Hartgrove on fiddle, Brandon Rickman, on guitar, Andy Ball on mandolin and Mike Anglin on bass. The band presents both main stage performances and workshops Saturday and Sunday.

Claire Lynch
(Saturday)

    If Wishes Were Horses

Dolly Parton credits Claire with “one of the sweetest, purest and best lead voices in the music business today.” She is a singer songwriter who has earned two Grammy nominations for “Moonlighter” and “Silver and Gold” and an International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award. Her band is a collection of some of the hottest pickers on the planet. Jim Hurst, two time IBMA “Guitar Player of the Year”, along with Ontario’s fiddler-extraordinaire Jason Thomas, and bassist, Mark Schatz, most recently with Nickel Creek. The Claire Lynch band performs twice on Saturday.

Danny Paisley & Southern Grass
(Friday)

With tunes like “Sweet Potato Rag” and “Mountain Sally Ann”, one can immediately tell that this band is deeply rooted in the vibrant sound of old time Southern fiddle bands. Alison Krauss is one of the many prominent musicians who numbers Danny as one of their favorite singers. He is joined by JT Lundy on fiddle, Bobby Lundy on banjo, Michael Paisley on bass and Donny Eldreth, Jr. on mandolin. Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass performs two sets on main stage Friday and hosts a unique workshop that explores the “Songs of the Blue Ridge Mountains.”

Sawmill Road
(Friday, Saturday & Sunday)

 “Trust me on this pal – you want to hear Sawmill Road,” states IBMA award winner, Dan Crary. Newly reorganized, the 2008 National Bluegrass Playoffs “Band of the Year” consists of five seasoned performers. Former staff writer for Reba McEntire, Steve Spurgin writes and performs bass. Dick Brown on banjo, recorded with Lost Highway and Lynn Morris. Doug Bartlett on fiddle, performed with Doyle Lawson and Del McCoury. As songwriter, Charlie Edsall on guitar, penned “Cold Virginia Rain” performed by Rhonda Vincent. Mark Miracle is a 30 year veteran on the mandolin and former member of the award winning band, Clear Blue. The band performs all three days at the Jubilee.

Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
(Thursday, Friday & Saturday)

Many know Wayne from his 18 year tour with the US Navy bluegrass band, Country Current. His familure vocal presentation has entertained both presidents and heads of state from around the world. He returns to the Jubilee with his new band, Appaloosa featuring Emory Lester, one of the top mandolin talents in the business, and Mark Delaney, who offers a unique approach to Scruggs’ style banjo playing. Dave Giegerich plays resophonic guitar, and Kip Martin, is a former Sunny Mountain Boy on bass. The band opens the Jubilee Thursday evening and offers performances and workshops Friday and Saturday. 

Julie Wingfield

With roots in the Huck Finn Jubilee, Julie Wingfield is a consummate country, bluegrass and gospel music entertainer. She is a multi-instrumentalist who owns Hummingbird Records, and a music studio in Apple Valley. 

Julie performs at gospel, bluegrass and country festivals throughout the Southwest and performs this year on Sunday for her 33rd season at the Jubilee.