Keeping Bluegrass Music Alive and Rocking!

Excitement is building for the 2015 Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Music Celebration that’ll begin in just a matter of hours.

The annual celebration, which began in 2001, honors traditional Bluegrass music, as well as the “Father of Bluegrass,” himself, Bill Monroe.  Generations of Bluegrass fans use festivals and celebrations such as Jerusalem Ridge to introduce future generations to music many Kentuckians consider “ours.”

Campbell Mercer, producer and promoter of the event, credits hundreds of volunteers who are donating their time and effort to preserve Bluegrass music.

“We try to make it as traditional as possible, as close as to the way it was when Bill Monroe was growing up in this area.” – Campbell Mercer

The festival is at Mercer’s farm (near Monroe’s birthplace) at 5520 U.S. 62.

The music festival used to be held in the fall, but this year is being moved up to Wednesday through Sunday (September 16 – September 20).

From the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer:

This is the second year there will be an open microphone for bands or single acts on the opening day of the festival. Square dancing is returning Saturday on the main stage.

On Sunday after the usual graveside church service at Rosine Cemetery, there will be Church in the Wild on the main stage at the festival grounds.

“The fellow that officiates that church service grew up with Bill Monroe,” Mercer said. “So that’s living history.”

There will be some new bands coming in this year, as well as traditional bluegrass, old time folk music, or mountain music.

Performances start at noon Wednesday, 10 a.m. on Thursday, 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon on Sunday, rain or shine.

About 35 bands are scheduled this year including Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers, Larry Gillis and his Hard Driving Swamp Grass Band, The Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show, Becky and the Butler County Boys, Alan Sibley and the Magnolia Ramblers, King’s Highway, Annabelle Watts, and more.  – Bobbie Hayse, Messenger-Inquirer

For more information, including ticket prices (children under 12 are free), visit Jerusalem Ridge Festival or call 270-315-5151

Did You Know? The Jerusalem Ridge Festival is a A USA Today Top Ten Bluegrass Event!