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EDGAR LOUDERMILK BAND
WITH OTTER OPRY
AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
The Edgar Loudermilk Band—including Edgar Loudermilk on upright bass, Zack Autry on mandolin, Jake Goforth on guitar, and Anthony Howell on banjo—will bring its awesome musical talent to the Otter Opry stage on Friday, May 17th. Who is Edgar Loudermilk, you might ask? Bill Barnett of Saltymoss Media has the answer: “Take a one-of-a-kind voice, a commanding stage presence, and a killer songwriter who can conjure up the long lonesome feeling of bluegrass music with a stealth and hearty vocal like no other.” Edgar Loudermilk’s distinctive and powerful vocals cut to the heart of a song, while also winning over audiences with his friendly, down-home style.
The music styling of the Edgar Loudermilk Band encompasses bluegrass, gospel, country, and Americana genres. Prior to stepping out with his own band in 2015, Edgar Loudermilk performed with the award-winning groups Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, and Marty Raybon & Full Circle. His signature voice, bass skills, and songwriting have become his trademark, garnering 25+ industry awards and nominations.
Edgar Loudermilk's music, whether energetic, foot-tapping songs or moving ballads, is infused with authenticity and passion. His distinctive and powerful vocals cut to the heart of a song, while also winning over audiences with his friendly, down-home style. Stellar musicianship and soaring vocals—you really don’t want to miss this one. The event includes a public jam starting at 4:00pm and a rib dinner at 5:30pm ($12.50 before May 12th, $17.50 at the door). Online ticket sales will end at noon the day of the performance.
7pm.
$35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free); $12.50-17.50/pre-show dinner.
Online ticket sales will end at noon on the day of the performance.
We will observe all County COVID restrictions.
COUNTRY GONGBANG
WITH OTTER OPRY
AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
What’s in a name? Country GongBang by any other name would sound as bluegrassy, and you can verify this for yourself: The amazing South Korean bluegrass group — selected to receive the International Bluegrass Music Association’s 2023 International Band Performance Grant — will be headlining on Tuesday, June 18th as part of the Otter Opry concert series at Monterey United Methodist Church.
In announcing the 2023 award, IBMA pro tem Executive Director Paul Schiminger shared: “Country GongBang created quite a buzz with their performance during IBMA’s Virtual World of Bluegrass in 2020, so it is exciting that, as this year’s IBMA International Band Grant recipient, they will perform in Raleigh this fall and on a US tour in 2024. Their Korean-influenced repertoire epitomizes the talent, passion, and creativity growing in bluegrass music around the world!”
Hyunho, a founding member of the band who also goes by the handle “Banjo Boy,” shows his genuine understanding of the genre: “Bluegrass is a sound that is close to nature. We like it because it’s not over-embellished. It appeals to people who are tired of music that sounds too mechanical and manufactured. Bluegrass music is earthy and authentic. There are many cheerful songs, but it also seems to be a sound that brings out both sadness and joy.” Not surprisingly, one of the group’s early albums was titled “We All Need Bluegrass.”
So come on out and hear this amazing international bluegrass band. The event includes a public jam starting at 4:00pm and a smoked pork loin with cranberry marinade dinner at 5:30pm ($12.50 before June 10th, $17.50 at the door). Online ticket sales will end at noon the day of the performance.
7pm.
$35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free); $12.50-17.50/pre-show dinner.
Online ticket sales will end at noon on the day of the performance.
We will observe all County COVID restrictions.
JACOB JOLLIFF BAND
WITH OTTER OPRY
AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
After wowing audiences as part of Béla Fleck’s touring band in 2022, mandolinist Jacob Jolliff will be coming to Monterey on Tuesday, July 9th with his own band in tow as a featured part of Otter Opry’s 2024 concert season. Here’s what Béla Fleck had to say about this remarkable young musician: “Jacob is a serious player. Considering his strong musical concept, formidable technical abilities, and a powerful work ethic, he is a mandolinist to watch.”
A former member of two massively popular progressive bluegrass bands, Joy Kills Sorrow and the Yonder Mountain String Band, Jolliff is one of the country’s premier contemporary mandolinists. He attended Berklee School of Music on a full scholarship, and he won the National Mandolin Championship in Winfield, KS in 2012. A fixture in the national bluegrass community, he has collaborated and shared the stage with Darol Anger, Sam Bush, Ronnie McCoury, Michael Daves, Tony Trischka, and David Grisman, to name just a few.
Now in 2024, the mandolinist’s primary focus is the Jacob Jolliff Band, a group of virtuosic pickers that play Jacob’s original instrumentals and showcase his singing. The group has released two albums: “Instrumentals Vol. 1” in 2018 and “The Jacob Jolliff Band” in 2022. In addition to Jacob himself, the band features Myles Sloniker on bass, Ross Martin on guitar, and George Jackson on fiddle. This will definitely be a concert to write home about, so get your tickets now. The event includes a public jam starting at 4:00pm and a delicious dinner at 5:30pm ($12.50 before July 6th, $17.50 at the door). Online ticket sales will end at noon the day of the performance.
7pm.
$35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free); $12.50-17.50/pre-show dinner.
Online ticket sales will end at noon on the day of the performance.
We will observe all County COVID restrictions.
THE CROOKED JADES
WITH OTTER OPRY
AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
The highly acclaimed bluegrass ensemble, The Crooked Jades, will grace the stage at Monterey United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 31st as part of the Otter Opry concert series. The band creates unique sounds by exploring the roots of rural Americana, pushing boundaries and blurring categories with their fiery, soulful performances. As described in Bluegrass Unlimited: “Chords in unexpected places, out of this world harmonies, and some of the most powerfully-arranged material I’ve ever encountered.”
The Crooked Jades are known for their rare and obscure repertoire, beautiful original compositions, inspired arrangements and eclectic, often vintage instrumentation. Band members include Jeff Kazor (vocals/guitar/ukulele), Megan Adie (bass), Lisa Berman (vocals/slide guitar/banjo/harmonium), Emily Mann (fiddle) and Erik Pearson (vocals/banjos/ukulele/harmonium/slide guitar). The Crooked Jades began with band leader/founder Jeff Kazor's vision to revive the dark and hypnotic sounds of pre-radio music, and they are on a mission to reimagine old-world music for a modern age.
Renowned for their captivating performances and innovative approach to traditional bluegrass, The Crooked Jades have garnered widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike. They perform with a thrilling energy that has audiences on their feet dancing and critics comparing them to everyone from The New Lost City Ramblers and The Pogues to Gillian Welch, Nick Cave and Tom Waits. The event includes a public jam starting at 4:00pm and a delicious dinner at 5:30pm ($12.50 before August 24th, $17.50 at the door). Online ticket sales will end at noon the day of the performance.
7pm.
$35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free); $12.50-17.50/pre-show dinner.
Online ticket sales will end at noon on the day of the performance.
We will observe all County COVID restrictions.
CALIFORNIA BLUEGRASS REUNION
WITH OTTER OPRY
AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Having brought the house down at their first two Otter Opry performances, the California Bluegrass Reunion will be back on Tuesday, November 19th at the United Methodist Church to do it again. This star-studded band is highlighted by the outrageous double fiddling of Brandon Godman and Chad Manning and features an abundance of original instrumentals from mandolinist John Reischman and banjo player Bill Evans. Anchoring the rhythm section is Jim Nunally on guitar and vocals and Sharon Gilchrist on bass. The show will open with a four-song set by Nell & Jim, featuring Jim Nunally on vocals, guitar and banjo, with Nell Robinson on vocals and miniflute; this amazing duo delivers tight harmonies and original genre-bending music that will get the evening off to a sizzling start.
Back to California Bluegrass Reunion: Brandon Godman got his literal “bluegrass roots” growing up in Kentucky and honed them in as a professional touring musician in Nashville; he performs regularly as the fiddler for Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands, and with other local groups in the San Francisco Bay Area. Grammy Award-winning John Reischman is a foundational mandolinist, composer, bandleader and musical educator in bluegrass and North American roots and folk music. Bill Evans – winner of the 2022 Steve Martin “Excellence in Banjo” Award – occupies a unique niche in the music world, celebrated for his varied bluegrass banjo styles as well as his innovative original compositions. Jim Nunally is a musician, composer, record producer and teacher – all in addition to being one of the finest guitar players in the world. Chad Manning is a bluegrass, old-time and swing fiddler who has performed with more famous bands than you can count. Sharon Gilchrist has long made her home in the American acoustic music scene, performing on concert and festival stages all over North America.
These musicians have made music in various combinations for decades, but this all-star performance is an incredible opportunity to see and hear them together. To describe the show as a once-in-a-lifetime (actually, thrice-in-a-lifetime) opportunity is no exaggeration. The event includes a delicious dinner at 5:30pm ($12.50 before November 17th, $17.50 at the door). Online sales will end at noon the day of the performance.
7pm.
$40/show (CBA members $35; 15 and under free); $12.50-17.50/pre-show dinner.
Online ticket sales will end at noon on the day of the performance.
We will observe all County COVID restrictions.
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