Dare To Be Different #6 Review

... where else could one have so much fun for a $10 admission ...

Dare to Be Different – 9/25/11

By: Guest Blogger Terri Holloway

It was a slow opening with a fast band – oh, what you missed in hearing Cumberland River! This terrific band opened the 5^th annual Dare to Be Different benefit for the International Bluegrass Museum's Bluegrass in the Schools program with some fast pickin' and hot foot stompin'.

Prescription Bluegrass Host Brian McNeal
Tries to Get His Hands on a Cumberland River CD
at the 5th Annual Dare To Be Different Showcase!
(Photo Courtesy of Cumberland River Band)

Held at the Bell Buckle Banquet Hall, a short 50 miles or so from Nashville, this small, intimate setting is the perfect way to kick off IBMA's World of Bluegrass week with eight bands playing in support of sharing Bluegrass with children.

Dare to Be Different is always an afternoon and evening of music, with everyone enjoying the ambiance and food supplied by the Bell Buckle Cafe (and J. Gregory's barbecue is the best on this side of the Mississippi). Tables are set up in addition to the concert style seating. For those who may have been interested, and there were a few, small areas could be found for dancing.

Cumberland River opened the afternoon, welcoming the small crowd with a rousing start,
followed by the amazing sounds of the Rigney Family. The adjectives used to describe this family include “phenomenal” and “blown away”. They're all true! This family quartet gets it done. With their sound, they're sure to have a successful showcase this coming week at the International Bluegrass Music Association's Annual World of Bluegrass Convention in Nashville.

Stage host, Brian McNeal (from Prescription Bluegrass) kept the crowd entertained between sets in addition to sharing bits of interesting trivia about each group. He also showed his ability to ably ad-lib when unexpected issues showed up with band scheduling. He managed to keep everyone relatively on track, if a bit mixed up from the printed and Internet schedules.

Acoustic Blue shared their crooning harmonies and great licks highlighting some of their own compositions. Their stage patter was entertaining as well as giving a bit of insight into band member personalities. Gracious gentlemen all, when an unexpected hole opened in the schedule later in the day they were still there and volunteered to jump back on stage.

When event hostess Valerie Smith called her old friend, Louisa Branscomb, the Diva of Bluegrass Songwriting, Louisa promised to be different for her set. And she delivered. Backed up by Donna Coleman and her band, she had the growing audience not just toe tapping, but clapping and singing along. She managed to even play her own version of the ever popular “Steel Rails”.

Tom Brantly & Missionary Ridge opened with the driving instrumental “Tallahassee” featuring twin fiddles played by Tom and new band member Claire Bradshaw. They're one more of the featured bands today who will be showcasing this coming week at IBMA.

Sound checks come and go, but have you ever really listened to one? It's usually just, “check. Check, one two. Check.” For theirs, Garrett McReynolds, grandson of Jesse McReynolds (Jim & Jesse), asked for credit cards and cash. Granddaughter Amanda brought her favorite ukulele to thrill the crowd. Their band, McReynolds Tradition, continues the family trade in music as the fifth generation playing on stage. They're also good at improvisation: when Garrett broke a guitar string, fiddle player Corrina Logsdon jumped in and got the crowd singing along to an excellent rendition of “Pop Goes the Weasel” until the group's guitar player could rejoin the act with all six strings intact.

Jerry Butler and the Blu-Jays paid homage to the Carter Family and Travelin' Brakeman Jimmy Rodgers. Guest artist Dennis Cash brought up his autoharp to play several songs from the old-time catalog, encouraging the assembled mass to sing along..

Mark Newton opened with “Back on Still House Road”, a crowd favorite. He received aid from Leah Needham – a part of his new band, Mark Newton and the Stilllhouse Band. Her striking dobro playing will surely make this group a crowd favorite in the coming week.

The last band of the evening was the hosting one – Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike. As a former school teacher, Valerie strongly supports the International Bluegrass Museum's “Bluegrass in the Schools” program, and, with the help of her manager, J. Gregory Heinke, created the Dare to Be Different festival as a way to raise funds for the program.

Perhaps it's the economy, like everyone was saying, or perhaps there were just too many events happening this weekend, but attendance at this year's event seemed to pale in comparison to others, in spite of the best line-up ever. After the evening ended, J. Gregory reported that attendance was, indeed, down from last year. Not much, but it was noticeable. We can only hope that this is not a new festival trend emerging. Really, where else could one have so much fun for a $10 admission – and not leave hungry? (try the berry cobbler...)