Sam Bush, Rhonda Vincent and Doyle Lawson Headline MusicFest 'n Sugar Grove

Now in it's eighth year, the MusicFest in Sugar Grove has become known for top-notch bluegrass, Americana, Gospel and old time music in one of the most intimate festival settings anywhere. This year is no exception with Grammy Award winners, Sam Bush, and Rhonda Vincent leading the pack.

Part of what makes the MusicFest in Sugar Grove so popular is the intimacy of the setting itself. The entire festival takes place on the lawn in front of the Old Cove Creek School in Sugar Grove. There is only one stage and no real backstage. There is nothing separating the audience from the entertainer save a few lawn chairs. And after they play you can meet the musicians in the artist tent and chat while you get an autograph or buy a CD.

The two day festival kicks off on Friday, July 8 a 4 p.m. as some of the area's best regional musicians take the stage culminating that night with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage followed by the MusicFest Jam.

Vincent, whom the Wall Street Journal called the "Queen of Bluegrass," captured the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) title of "Entertainer of the Year" in 2001, the "Female Vocalist of the Year" for four years, and is a 2004 Grammy winner. Her stated goal is is to bring Contemporary Bluegrass to the masses and the new CD Ragin' LIVE   is doing just that by show casing her award winning style of mandolin surrounded by her acclaimed band, The Rage, in a high energy flawlessly executed show.

On Saturday the music starts bright and early at 9 a.m. with regional artists and continues throughout the day until Grammy nominee Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver take the stage.

Doyle Lawson is not only a hometown favorite from nearby Kingsport, Tn., but a venerable bluegrass legend. From the exquisite gospel quartet vocals to leading a band know as the "farm team of bluegrass" (alumni have gone on to play for IIIrd Tyme Out, Mountain Heart, Continental Divide and Ricky Skaggs' band Kentucky Thunder) Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver have achieved legendary status and are still going strong.

Whether it's Gospel, bluegrass or four part harmony Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver have set the bar high for all in each genre. Clean and precise they are amazing to both listen to and watch.

Headlining Saturday night is multi Grammy Award winner Sam bush and the Sam Bush Band. Bush first picked up the mandolin and fiddle at about   age 11. By the time he graduated high school he'd already earned three national junior fiddle championships and had a reputation as a hot young mandolin player.

But it was the New Grass Revival that put Sam on the map, or more precisely, allowed him to redraw all the existing maps. With band mates which, over the years, included Bela Fleck and John Cowan New Grass rewrote all the bluegrass rules and opened the door for future generations of incredible pickers.

In the studio Bush is about a prolific mandolin player there is and can be heard on projects by Jerry Douglas, Steve Earle, Bill Keith, Alison Krauss, Jim Lauderdale, Maura O'Connell, Vassar Clements, Emmylou Harris & The Nash Ramblers and many more.

While the final schedule has not been set a press time the array of local and regional   musicians is a who's who of impressive talent including;

Tony Reece . Reece is the 2004 Resonator Guitar National Championship winner and 2004 Old Fiddler's Convention Dobro Winner. If Jerry Douglas seems a bit over worked these days there's help on the way. With his own style Reece is proving that he can hang with the best of them.

Lazybirds . Doc Watson describes them as "a good blend of blues, jazz and good ole ragtime."   And Doc isn't the only musician to appreciate Boone's own they have also shared the stage with Vassar Clements, Etta Baker, Derek Trucks, The Marshall Tucker Band, Old Crow Medicine Show and Acoustic Syndicate just to name a few. It's hard to pigeon hole the Lazybirds but the sound is old-time blues-Jazz, the talent is immense and a good time is guaranteed.

Amantha Mill . With a blend of bluegrass and folk it doesn't get any more pure than this. Amantha Mill (an actual old mill site, not a person) is fronted by Boone born and raised Rebecca "Becca" Eggers-Gryder a singer/songwriter and stand-up bass player. Eggers has surrounded herself with a core of fine musicians including guitar player Billy Helm.

Wiseapple . Wiseapple is an upcoming acoustic quartet from Boone offering a fresh blend of bluegrass, jazz and original music covering everything from Bill Monroe to Thelonious Monk.

Cockman Family . The Cockman Family Bluegrass Gospel Group has a unique bluegrass gospel style. Their harmonies, original songs and original arrangements of the old gospel songs have been immensely popular with their audiences. The Cockman Family (four brothers, their sister and their Dad) has been nominated for Bluegrass Artists of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year and Bluegrass Band of the Year by the Country Gospel Music Association (CGMA), and for Gold Cross Bluegrass Group of the Year by the International Country Gospel Music Association and was selected as one of "The 12 Most Creative Families In America" by American Greetings Cards and USA Today Weekend.

ETSU Bluegrass Band The bluegrass program at East Tennessee State University has been around for 20 years. The band, made up of advanced students, has traveled abroad, performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and generated members of both Alison Krauss & Union Station and Mountain Heart.

Southern Accent . Southern Accent is one of those bands that you have to see to believe. The array of talent across the board is fantastic and it's difficult to call one out but mandolin and fiddle player   Robby Norris is a show stopper. At age 11 this sixth grader has been a serious player since age 7. Now a seasoned vet, he can play with the best of them and absolutely commands the stage during his mandolin breaks.

Also look for Lost Ridge Band, Rock Bottom, Big Country Bluegrass, The Buck Haggard Band and perennial favorites the Cove Creek Ramblers.

Advance and online tickets are now on sale. The music begins at 4 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday and will culminate each evening at 8 p.m.   with the MusicFest Jam. Advance tickets for Friday are $15.00 ($20 at the gate). Advance tickets for Saturday are $20 ($25 at the gate). Children 12 and under are free with an attending adult. Two-day reserved seating, including a chair in the covered seating area is available for $55. The reserved seating is limited and tickets are available only through www.musicfestnsugargrove.org or by calling 828 297-2200.

Outside, around the Old Cove Creek School grounds, there will be games and entertainment for the kids, food and drink available as well as merchandise from a host of vendors and musicians.

Advance tickets are available at the following locations: BB&T, Main Office in Boone, Boone Drug on Deerfield in Boone, Mast General Store in Boone, Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, Cove Creek Store in Sugar Grove, Historic Cove Creek High School,   Ashe County Arts Council in West Jefferson and American Hardware in Mtn. City, TN.

Volunteers for the MusicFest are always welcome and will receive free admission to the festival. Helpers are needed for set up and take down, parking, gate, office work and in the museum. Call (828) 297-2200 for more information.

For more information contact MusicFest 'N Sugar Grove, PO Box 344, Sugar Grove, NC 28679. PH. 828 297-2200.