Lonesome River Band to Headline 'Bluegrass at the Ford'

[The following news release was provided by the Bluegrass Association of Southern California.]

The award-winning Lonesome River Band will headline the Bluegrass Association of Southern California’s popular Bluegrass at the Ford concert at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood on Sunday, August 12 at 8 p.m.

Lonesome River Band is celebrating its 30th year as one of America’s most popular and respected bluegrass groups.

During its long and successful career, Lonesome River Band has garnered a multitude of awards and recognitions including many from the International Bluegrass Music Association. IBMA has honored the group for Album of the Year and leader Sammy Shelor has been recognized an amazing four times as Banjo Performer of the Year. Shelor is also the second winner of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass, which he received in 2011 on “The David Letterman Show.” 

"Lonesome River Band has done what few bands have, continuously reinvented itself through the years, staying both popular and relevant," says Keith Lawrence of Bluegrass Notes. In the latest version of Lonesome River Band, longtime band member and banjo picker Sammy Shelor has put together a wealth of talent that includes Brandon Rickman (lead vocals and rhythm guitar); Mike Hartgrove (fiddle); Barry Reed (bass); and newest member Randy Jones (mandolin and vocals) all performing the distinctive sound that fans love.

 The band’s latest recording on Rural Rhythm Records is STILL LEARNING. The album has hit numerous charts including Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine’s Top 15, Bluegrass Music Profiles Top 10 and Cashbox Magazine’s Top 20. The first single, “Record Time Machine” along with “Jack Up the Jail” and other tracks has appeared on numerous single charts including Bluegrass Unlimited’s Top 30 Song chart. More information on Lonesome River Band is available at www.lonesomeriverband.com.

Appearing with Lonesome River Band will be Lonesome Otis, a popular Southern California bluegrass band. Lonesome Otis’ fresh combination of new and experienced talent is known for clean instrumentals and tight harmonies that are guaranteed to satisfy the pickiest bluegrass aficionados. The band’s repertoire includes hard-driving classics, contemporary bluegrass, gospel and exciting original songs. The group has won accolades at festivals and concerts throughout the West. More information is available at www.lonesomeotis.com.

Ticket prices start at $25 and $20 for BASC members and full-time students with ID. Tickets are $12 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at www.FordTheatres.org or 323 461-3673 (for non-visual media 323 GO 1-FORD). For groups of 8 or more, please call 323 769-2147.

For a direct link to tickets, visit www.fordtheatres.org/en/events/details/id/370.

ABOUT THE BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The Bluegrass Association of Southern California is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization established in 1993 to promote bluegrass music and its profound artistic value and enduring contribution to American culture and heritage. The annual “Bluegrass at the Ford” presentation has been the highlight of the BASC concert series since 1997. Bluegrass at the Ford introduces new listeners and established fans to the best of this unique American music in an outdoor setting second to none. More information on BASC is available at www.socalbluegrass.org.

ABOUT THE FORD AMPHITHEATRE

The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. The grounds open two hours before showtime for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages is available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink.

The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request. On-site, stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle for evening shows and $1 per vehicle for morning family shows. For evening shows only, FREE non-stacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford, for evening amphitheatre performances only, is available at the Universal City Metro Station lot atLankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stops in the "kiss and ride" area.

This event is part of the Ford Amphitheatre 2012 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the theater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org.

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