Bluegrass is the name of the game this weekend during the penultimate Concerts in the Park show, hosted by the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association (LRCA).
Bluegrass Fever has developed a solid reputation as one of the most crowd-pleasing bluegrass bands, according to its website, and the band will bring its lively bluegrass and traditional sound to the Transfer Beach Amphitheatre this Sunday evening.
Renowned banjo player Barrie Hemmings was a member of the original Bluegrass Fever band in Ontario in the 1980s, and he re-formed the band on Vancouver Island a number of years ago.
“Hemmings is master of both the three-finger and clawhammer banjo stylings — you can’t miss his hard-driving sound when you hear the band,” states the band’s website.
The band was re-assembled with guitarist Bob Johns, who is known on the Island for his years with the popular Back Forty Boys; Guy Langlois, a talented upright bassist from Yellowknife; and their latest addition, Jeff Ellis, who is considered “a truly amazing talent on the mandolin.”
Originally from Moneta, Va., Ellis has been named Virginia state champion for acoustic guitar and acoustic bass and has won more than 50 first-place awards.
Bluegrass Fever performs at the Transfer Beach Amphitheatre Sunday, Aug. 18 from 6-8 p.m. Admission is by donation, and all proceeds help offset the costs of the LRCA’s programs, allowing people to participate at no cost.
