A nonprofit organization supporting, creating and promoting Arts and Culture in Southern Arizona for over 15 years
Second Saturday’s at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park
7548 N. Silverbell Road
The Marana Bluegrass Summer Concert Series will feature some of the regions most established and well-known bluegrass music on the second Saturday of each month at the Silverbell-Cortaro Park in Marana!
The Bluegrass Concert series is brought to you in partnership with the Desert Bluegrass Association and the Town of Marana and each of our valued sponsors.
THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSORS FOR A SPECTACULAR SUMMER 2012 SERIES
American Family Insurance, David G. Eisenhuth Office
Texas Roadhouse
In N Out Burger
Eegee's
FREE ADMISSION
Donations Encouraged
CHECK BACK IN MARCH 2013 FOR THE NEW SUMMER LINEUP
Summer 2012 Performers
6:15pm Jam Session with Opening Band Drops in River
7pm Run Boy Run
With a newly released EP, appearances at several major Arizona festivals, and a recent win at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Run Boy Run is rapidly growing to be a prevalent force in promoting the tradition of Bluegrass and Appalachian old-time in the Southwest. With captivating three-part female harmony, masterful fiddle work by the two-time Arizona State Fiddle Champion, and roots in traditional, jazz, classical, and folk music, Run Boy Run offers a riveting and exciting performance of traditional and original music. The result is a vast and sublime musical landscape, wide as the Appalachian range, haunted by the melancholy tones of Van Zandt, and rich in earth that quakes with the music of Monroe.
Run Boy Run is Matt Rolland (fiddle, guitar), Grace Rolland (vocals, cello), Bekah Sandoval (vocals, fiddle), Jen Sandoval (vocals, mandolin), Jesse Allen (Bass).
Concert sponsored by Boston's Restaurant, Anytime Fitness, Twin Peaks Veterinary, Cartridge World, Chili's Restaurant and Pima Federal Credit Union
6:15pm Jam Session with Opening Band Manzanita
7pm Greg Morton Band
Greg Morton was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He began to play the guitar when he was around 12 years of age. His brother, Randal Morton, began to play the banjo at about the same time. Greg and Randal were headliners at various bluegrass festivals around the country.
Greg's natural musical ability allowed him to quickly develop a mastery of the guitar. While living in Memphis, Greg won the Midsouth Championship in guitar and mandolin.
After sharpening his skills playing traditional bluegrass music, Greg began to apply his talents to other musical styles, including country and jazz. Greg has toured with several other musicians including Mark O'Connor and the White family. Greg traveled around the world as a member of the USO. At one point, he was a member of Don Ho's band in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Greg's travels eventually brought him to Tucson, Arizona. Far from the hills of Tennessee, Greg found that the 'high lonesome' sounds of bluegrass music were already reverberating through the canyons of the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona. Tucson is home to a very active bluegrass music community.
In 1995, Greg Morton won the Arizona State Guitar Championship. In 2001, 2002, and 2004, Greg won the extremely prestigious TAMMIES Award (Tucson Area Music Awards) for Best Acoustic Guitarist. He was runner-up in 2003. Greg's band, the "Greg Morton Trio", won the TAMMIES Award for Best Country & Western Band in 2003, and Best Bluegrass Band in 2004.
Today, Greg plays in various venues throughout southern Arizona. He also teaches workshops for the aspiring musicians in the region.
Concert sponsored by Maracay Homes and Pima Federal Credit Union
6:15pm Jam Session with Opening Band Unusual Suspects
7pm The Sonoran Dogs
The Sonoran Dogs are a new Tucson/Phoenix based bluegrass band made up of regionally and nationally known musicians. Shortly after forming, they headlined the Sedona and Wickenburg Bluegrass festivals. On guitar and vocals, we have Tucsonan Peter McLaughlin, the 1988 National Flatpicking Guitar Champion. Peter has played with the Laurie Lewis band, Perfect Strangers, and a bluegrass brother duo with Chris Brashear. Phoenician Mark Miracle plays burning mandolin riffs and sings lonesome bluegrass lyrics. Mark toured the US and Europe with Saw Mill Road, won the Telluride band contests with both Shady Creek and Clear Blue bands, and has won numerous mandolin contests and awards. Fellow Phoenician Tyler Walls picks banjo melodies faster then the eye can see. At his young age, Tyler has won several major banjo championships, including the Rockygrass and Huck Finn titles. Tucsonan Brian Davies rounds out the sound on upright bass and harmony vocals. Brian is a TAMMIE award winner with the Crystal Ridge and Morton, O’Connor & Davies bluegrass bands.
6:15pm Desert Bluegrass Association Member Jam
7pm Providence
The award winning bluegrass band, Providence (myspace.com/providencebluegrassband) was formed in 2008, with some of the best bluegrass musicians in Arizona. Providence has an energetic style and a unique and dynamic delivery in their performance of original, traditional, and contemporary bluegrass music. Their vocal talents and instrumental virtuosity are clearly demonstrated at every show.
6:15pm Desert Bluegrass Association Member Jam
7pm Superstition Ridge
Rick Ramsey grew up in a musical family in Southwestern Virginia. From the age of three he was singing with his father and brothers and learned multiple harmony parts from them. He holds down the “low end” with his big upright bass and sings whatever part is needed.
John Svenson, on lead guitar and dobro and singing some lead and harmony vocals, is originally from North Carolina. He grew up performing bluegrass music with his brother and has played with several bands in North and South Carolina. A recent transplant to the Phoenix area, John says he’s proud to have hooked-up with the ‘good ole boys’ of Superstition Ridge.
Larry Martell, rhythm guitar and lead singer, grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, where he was influenced by the first generation of bluegrass bands of the 50’s and 60’s and the classic country singers of that time. His soulful lead singing has been compared to Jim Eanes and Lester Flatt.
Wayne Black grew up on an Iowa farm where everyone played an instrument. He was influenced by a broad spectrum of musical genres in the 60’s and 70’s. A multi-instrumentalist, Wayne performs hot solos on the mandolin, guitar and fiddle and sings some harmony parts.
Red Wilson supplies the hard-driving banjo sound that every bluegrass band needs and desires. A native of Montana, Red took up the banjo in college after hearing Earl Scruggs on a juke box. He put away his saxophone, picked up the banjo and hasn’t looked back.
