Bluegrass by the best!

| April 6, 2014 | Reply

Karl Shiflett band

Karl Shiflett band

At the Chrystal Opry House, Tom Bean, 4/5/14.

Karl Shiflett calls his band, The Big Country Show, and that is exactly what it is. Six musicians bringing the best in music ability, entertainment, and style to the stage, and doing it the old-fashioned way. Nothing amped, and only one mic. When Karl holds his acoustic guitar up to the mic, it’s so you can hear it better. Nowadays, it’s for show. And, no matter who was playing an instrument, the mic was cleared for that person to advance and use it. Fiddle, banjo, guitar, even when the guy on the scrub board took a break, he did it in front of that one mic.

In the band are Karl Shiflett on acoustic guitar and most lead vocals; Brennen Ernest on, mostly, banjo, but also on guitar and keyboards; C.J. Lewandowsky on mandolin; Kris Shiflett on bass; Billy Hurt Jr. on fiddle; and Dany Bureau on scrub brush.

Karl explained that Brennen is not only the newest, he’s the youngest at 19 years of age. The band gave over time for Brennen to put down his banjo and move to the piano to bang out a couple of ragtime tunes — his original music genre of choice. Kris and Dany gave him some back-up sounds. And Billy took many fiddle breaks, but then stood to do one vocal song, to. C.J., who also helps with logistics and such, and Karl were a great pair providing the entertainment portion. Back and forth they went, telling jokes and dancing and just having fun on stage.

This band will probably be back sometime before the year is over. You can sign up on the Chrystal Opry House email list, (ChrystalOpryHouse.com) or just go like their Facebook page, the ‘Chrystal Opry House at Melody Ranch‘ page. (no link there, gotta go look it up.)

For more pix of Karl Shiflett band, click here:

Surprise: There was an opening band. Opry producer Bill Hayes said, with that twinkle that shows up so often in his eyes, that everything doesn’t get on the flyers, you just gotta be there to get it all in. This band was called Blue Valley Tradition. Hayes talked about all their previous experiences, and believe me there wasn’t a newcomer in the group. I hope we see them again… are you listening, Bill?

For pix of opening bluegrass band, click here

 

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In the music production business, including event production, booking, photography, reporting, and other such essentials, since 1980.

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