Maryland Native Returns With His Band, American Drive, To Kick Off Bluegrass Concerts

HUGHESVILLE, Md. - Sept. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- California, MD, 9/9/2013 - Jay Armsworthy and The Sons of the American Legion present this year’s concert series with some of today’s top names in Bluegrass music.  Each show will be held at the American Legion Post #238 on the corner of MD Rt. 231 & Rt. 381 in Hughesville, Maryland.  The first show will take place on Sunday October 13, 2013 with the “American Drive” Bluegrass band.  The band consists of former members of J.D. Crowe’s, New South band.   Although Crowe has retired, his band members were eager to continue to perform so they formed American Drive and they bring on an American form of acoustic music.

Former Maryland resident, Dwight McCall, born in Silver Spring, started playing the mandolin at the age of 16. His first professional show was with his father, Jim McCall, along with Walter Hensley, and The Dukes of Bluegrass.  Dwight has been a member of Charlie Waller and The Country Gentlemen where he spent 4 years. It was in August of 1996 that Dwight then joined JD Crowe and The New South where he remained until the announcement of Crowe’s retirement from a full-time performance schedule.

Lead singer, Rickey Wasson, spent 14 years singing and playing guitar with J. D. Crowe & the New South before starting American Drive.  Wasson's powerful vocals have placed him in an elite group of today's top bluegrass singers.  His lead vocals helped garnered the 2008 SPBGMA Song of the Year, 2007 IBMA Album of the Year, a 2008 Grammy Nomination, and #1 hit song from J.D. Crowe & the New South's album, "Lefty's Old Guitar”.

Joining Rickey & Dwight are two more former members of J.D. Crowe and the New South, Matt Despain on Dobro and Kyle Perkins on the Bass.  Josh Hymer joins these seasoned, veteran musicians on the banjo.  He credits Earl Scruggs and J.D. Crowe as two of his main banjo influences.  Although the sound of American Drive is not the same sound of the New South band, Josh’s banjo playing adds an original sound to American Drive.

Now in their second year of performing, filled with veterans of the Bluegrass genre, the band is very excited to have a chance to play the style of music they enjoy and to see the future of American Drive!

Other upcoming shows in the series of American Legion Bluegrass include a Pennsylvania lineup with Remington Ryde and The Hillbilly Gypsies on January 26, 2014; the popular return of the IBMA’s 2012 Male Vocalist, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out on February 9, 2014; IBMA’s 2012 Female Vocalist, Dale Ann Bradley on March 16, 2014; and the return of IBMA’s 2012 Emerging Artist, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers on April 13, 2014.  Sound will be provided by Troy Jones.

All shows begin at 2:00 pm with the doors opening at Noon.  Admission “STILL” continues to be $15.00 per person.  Children under 12 admitted free with a paying adult.  Food will be available for sale before the shows.

For more information, tickets, and directions, go to www.americanlegionbluegrass.com or call 301-737-3004.  All paid tickets will be held at the door for pick up on the day of the show.  Also non-perishable food donations will be accepted for the Helping Hands Food Bank in Southern Maryland.