Bluegrass Ball coming to the Bluebird Saturday

A whole lot of bluegrass is coming the Bluebird Nightclub’s way.

On Saturday, the Bluebird is hosting the Bluegrass Ball featuring the Travelin’ McCourys along with Billy Nershi and the Rumpke Mtn Boys.

Local bands, such as the New Old Calvary, will also be playing.

The local bands will kick off the show with 30-minute sets, then the Rumpke Mtn Boys will take the stage for close to an hour before the Travelin’ McCourys finish off the night.

Doors for the show open at 7 p.m., and music is set to start at 8 p.m. Tickets are between $15 and $20 at the door and at the Bluebird’s website.

This is a different event for the Bluebird, club owner Dave Kubiak said.

“Ticket sales are going pretty well,” Kubiak said. “It’s such a cool show; people who love bluegrass should be pretty excited about it.”

The Travelin’ McCourys were raised on bluegrass, according to their official website, with two of the members being sons of  bluegrass musician Del McCoury.

“Ronnie McCoury on mandolin and Rob McCoury on banjo continue their father’s work — a lifelong dedication to the power of bluegrass music to bring joy into people’s lives,” according to the biography on their official website.

Other band members include fiddler Jason Carter and bassist Allen Bartram.

Their music is described by the website as both “traditional” and “progressive,” which they contribute to their years of experience in the industry.

“The band has a confidence that only comes with having paid their dues with 20 years on the bluegrass road,” according to the Travelin’ McCourys’ website biography. “Other groups and new fans hear this immediately — the tight rhythm, the soulful material and the confidence in taking bluegrass from the safety of the shore into uncharted waters.”

This event only comes to Bloomington “every year or every year-and-a-half,” Kubiak said, and he said it’s something bluegrass fans wouldn’t want to miss.

“I think it’s unusual to have this many bluegrass bands playing together,” Kubiak said.
 
“It’s a bunch of acts playing with the McCourys, who are basically bluegrass legends.”

Follow reporter Janica Kaneshiro on Twitter @janicakaneshiro.