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By Mandy McFarland
Editor
WAKARUSA — This weekend, the traditional sound of Bluegrass will once again fill the air at the third annual Wakarusa Bluegrass Festival.
The festival will take place on Saturday, June 23 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the festival grounds, 66425 S.R. 19, just south of Wakarusa.
This year’s lineup includes talent from throughout the country, like Audie Blaylock and Redline with Michael Cleveland, the Virginia Crossites of Coeburn, Va., Special Consensus and the Martin Family Bluegrass Band of Versailles, Mo.
Information about some of the artists that will appear in this year’s festival is as follows:
Audie Blaylock
Born in El Paso, Texas and raised in Lansing, Mich., Audie Blaylock has been performing Bluegrass from an early age. He has played with Jimmy Martin, Red Allen, The Lynn Morris Band, Harley Allen and Rhonda Vincent and The Rage. He has made appearances on The Grand Ole Opry, Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion, PBS specials and Bill Gaither’s Bluegrass Homecoming. (Information taken from www.audieblaylock.com).
Larry Sparks
The 2004 and 2005 winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Male Vocalist of the Year award, Larry Sparks released his latest CD, “The Last Suit You Wear,” on May 1. While still in high school, Sparks began playing with the Stanley Brothers as a lead guitarist. A few years later, he started his own band, The Lonesome Ramblers. Sparks has contributed numerous hits to the Bluegrass world over the years and continues to create popular tunes to this day (information taken from www.larrysparks.com).
Virginia Cross Ties
Consisting of Millard Edwards of Coeburn, Va., Mark Baker of Clinchco, Va., Josh Jesse of Wise, Va. and Al Domingue of Handcock Co., Tenn., Virginia Cross Ties got their start singing in local churches around their home towns and quickly became a favorite at Bluegrass festivals nationwide. Performing mostly in four-part harmony, the group has a style that has been described as having “that Appalachian Mountain sound described by some as “High Lonesome.” They released their debut album, “No Back Door,” in September 2001. Their latest album, “Still Working,” was released in May 2005. They perform a combination of original and traditional songs (information taken form www.virginiacrossties.com).
This year’s festival will include a special addition. The original pickup truck that appeared in the 1970s TV sitcom “Sanford and Son” will be on display near the stage throughout the festival.
Food vendors will be available on the grounds, and tents will be set up to provide shade. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free. All proceeds from the festival will go to benefit the Family Christian Development Center in Nappanee.
For more information, call 862-2807 or visit www.wakarusabluegrassfestival.com for festival information and links to each artist’s Web site.
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