Gary Ruley and Mule Train at Lime Kiln this weekend

Gary Ruley and Mule Train take the Lime Kiln Bowl stage Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. Together with a band of talented musicians, Ruley formulates a hi-test bluegrass, new grass and roots music ensemble, connecting generations of yesterday and today with inventive sounds of powerful acoustic music.

Ruley started honing his musical skills at a young age, in countless performances throughout the country. He has successfully released five CDs and has performed with internationally acclaimed rock violinist Ann Marie Calhoun and flat-picking guitar master/songwriter Larry Keel. Calhoun has played with Jethro Tull, Ringo Starr, Steve Vai and Dave Matthews. Ruley has also shared the stage with bluegrass legends Tony Rice, Vassar Clements and Mac Wiseman, to name a few.

Ruley has great taste in guests, and for this show he sports Danny Knicely (fiddle), Will Lee (banjo), Brennan Gilmore (mandolin) and David Knicely (bass).

Danny Knicely is a fourth-generation multi-instrumentalist from a Virginia family steeped in music. With years of experience as a professional musician touring worldwide, he has won many awards on mandolin, guitar and fiddle. He has recorded with McGraw Gap, Larry Keel, Corn Tornado and Purgatory Mountain, performing in such venues as Merlefest, Telluride, Floyd Fest, Birchmere, the Fillmore, and House of Blues, Louisiana.

Will Lee, founding member of McGraw Gap, has also toured extensively. With many years of professional experience he recently performed with Walkers Run, Larry Keel and Ruley. Will’s father, Ricky Lee, played with Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys.

Brennan Gilmore, founding member of Walker’s Run and world touring group, Kantara (an Arab-Appalachian fusion band), grew up in Rockbridge County and is a well-accomplished talent.

Rounding out the group is David Knicely, Danny’s brother, providing the solid acoustic bass work to thread together this dynamic group. He also has many years experience in performing and touring with McGraw Gap.

Gary Ruley and Mule Train, the “purveyors of music” at this show, will provide the right amount of vocal expressiveness with hot licks to spare. Ruley’s performs a limited number of public shows, many of which are to sell-out crowds.

Tickets are available at Lexington Visitors Center and at Rockbridge Music or by calling the Lime Kiln office at 540.463.7088.

Adults: $10 advance, $12 at gate; Seniors: $8 advance, $10 at gate; Students: $5 advance, $8 at gate.