The Bluegrass All-Star Jam Set for Performances in Virginia and New York Feb 10 and 12, 2012

Feb. 7, 2012 - PRLog -- The Bluegrass All-Star Jam will celebrate American roots music this weekend with performances in Troy, New York and Alexandria, Virginia.  This all-star event is truly a unique experience with the best and brightest in bluegrass music featuring the award-winning talents of:  Claire Lynch, Sammy Shelor, Michael Cleveland, Josh Williams, Kenny & Amanda Smith, and Missy Raines.  

On Friday, February 10, 2012, the group will perform at the Troy Savings Band Music Hall located at 30 Second St., Troy, NY  12180 at 8:00 pm.  Tickets are $25-$35 and can be purchased at TroyMusicHall.org

This Sunday, February 12, 2012, they are set for a performance at The Birchmere, located at 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305 at 8:00 pm.  Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at (800)745-3000, and at The Birchmere Box Office from 5-9pm any night during shows.  For more information, please visit Birchmere.com or call (703) 549-7500.

Claire Lynch is a two-time International Bluegrass Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year award winner – In 2010, in recognition of her current work with the Claire Lynch Band and in 1997, for her influential work with the Front Porch String Band, and her impressive career as a solo artist. Blazing her own trail in the mid 70's when there were few role models for a young woman in the genre, Claire Lynch made history when she led the Front Porch String Band, which evolved in the 80’s and 90’s into one of the sharpest and most exciting post-modern bluegrass bands on the circuit.  She formed her own Claire Lynch Band in 2005 and has consistently been a top pick of prestigious publications, critics and audiences across the nation ever since.

Josh Williams is an International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) multi-award winner including three-time IBMA Guitar Player of the Year (2008-2010) and The Josh Williams Band as the 2010 IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year (2010).  He was nominated for the IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year (2011).  Not only is he a top vocalist and guitarist, Josh is adept on all bluegrass instruments.  He is currently on tour with his band also sits in with the Tony Rice Unit on mandolin.  In 2011, The Josh Williams Band was caught on camera performing at the Doyle Lawson Bluegrass Festival in NC where a fan captured a special moment on stage when a small bird lands on Josh's guitar while he's singing. The video is receiving an impressive number of views on youtube.

Virginia Country Music Hall of Famer, Sammy Shelor is a 4-time IBMA Banjo Player of the Year award winner.  He is the leader of the super bluegrass group, Lonesome River Band who are celebrating their 30th Anniversary.  Last November, Sammy was awarded the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass during an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman followed with a performance by the Lonesome River Band with special guest Steve Martin.  Banjo pickers all over the world have studied Sammy’s tab books and instructional DVD.

Missy Raines is the most decorated bass player in the history of the International Bluegrass Music Association with 7 Bass Player of the Year Awards to her credit. A former member of the Grammy Nominated Claire Lynch Band, the acclaimed duo, Jim Hurst and Missy Raines, Missy is one of the most popular figures in the bluegrass community and a trailblazer in her field for as long as she’s been playing music. Her rich pedigree in the field reaches from legends such as Mac Wiseman, Kenny Baker, Josh Graves and Eddie and Martha Adcock, to contemporary artists like Peter Rowan, Laurie Lewis, Dudley Connell and Don Rigsby. Missy also toured and recorded with the rootsy, edgy Brother Boys.

Michael Cleveland is an impressive 9-time IBMA Fiddler Player of the Year Award winner (2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011).  As a bandleader, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper won the IBMA Instrumental Recording of the Year Award (2002, 2004, 2006) and the IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year Award (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.)

Kenny & Amanda Smith –Kenny is widely considered one of the most impressive and influential flatpicking-style guitarists of his generation.  He is a two-time IBMA Guitarist of the Year Award winner (1998, 1999).  In 2001, Kenny left the Lonesome River Band to perform in as a duo with his wife Amanda who is an acclaimed vocalist. They met in 1995 at a Lonesome River Band concert and married soon thereafter. In 2003, Kenny and Amanda won the IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year Award.

For more information on the BLUEGRASS ALL-STAR JAM, please visit bluegrassallstarjam.com

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