Bluegrass Heritage Night at WTA’s Gateway Theatre

Two of the Valley’s newest bands bring their unique take on bluegrass to WTA’s Gateway on May 11, 2013.  Both Bourbon Barrel Congress and  Many Nights Ahead were born in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley and share a common bluegrass heritage, but each uses that lineage to move to a style of their own.  They will give their audience a chance to hear that journey at 8 pm in what has been proclaimed the best music space in the Valley at 329 West Main in Downtown Waynesboro.

Bourbon Barrel Congress specializes in “progressive bluegrass” with a combination of indie-folk and old time music.  Richard Adams who created the Richard Adams Variety Show heard them after they first formed and immediately signed them up for his show.  “I have been search for the right bluegrass band.  Bourbon Barrell Congress is it!”  he said.  The bands members are Chris Davis on bass, Rene DeVita on fiddle and mandolin, Michael Emerson on harmonica, Ethan Hawkins on guitar and mandolin and John Spangler on banjo.  Their performance at Adams’ February show was greeted with loud and prolonged response from their audience.

All members of Many Nights Ahead grew up surrounded by bluegrass music.  Despite those deep roots, their music is a mix of “Old Timey” music with a modern, unique sound  Each of its members add another taste in music creating a style that goes from blues to heavy rock and all the way to hip-hpe, but all with a slight bluegrass edge.  Many Nights Ahead was formed by Carlton Greenawalt (guitar), Ross Gulliver (vocals and bass)and Walker Turner (Banjo).  They were joined by Drake Cary (Mandolin), Amy Haloskey (vocals), Austin Shifflet (harmonica) and Celia Turner (Fiddle)

Tickets for the Night of Bluegrass Heritage are $10 in advance and $12 on the day of performance.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.wtagateway.com or by calling 540-943-9999.  Remaining tickets will be available at the box office on the evening of performance.