Kentucky Sky
It's that time of year again when the Mt. St. Helens Bluegrass Festival is coming to Toledo. Look forward to a fun time listening to great music this weekend.
There are kids' events, Bluegrass styles of all kinds, and even Gospel music on Sunday morning for free.
Weekend passes run $45 with Friday only passes priced at $25. On Saturday an all day pass cost $30 with a price drop to $25 after 4:00 p.m. Camp sites are available for those out-of-the-area visitors.
Open mic is from noon to 2:00 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday at 9:30 a.m. the event offers music workshops and at 11:00 a.m. there will be band scrambles. Sunday offers a Gospel music concert beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Here are just a few of the bands that will be performing at the festival:
Kentucky Sky
Kentucky Sky is a new traditional Bluegrass band featuring Randy Hackworth on guitar, Fred Frank on banjo, Emily Frank on bass and Chad Fadely on mandolin.
Fred and Emily, a married couple, have played with Chad Fadely in the Fred and Emily Band for a number of years, but with the addition of Randy Hackworth's true Kentucky soulful Bluegrass voice, it was felt that a new band name was called for. So Kentucky Sky was born.
Both Randy and Emily also write a significant portion of the band's songs in a traditional Bluegrass style. This makes for a refreshing, yet familiar sound the band offers.
Annie Staninec with Whiskey Deaf
Whiskey Deaf plays a lively mix of lesser-known traditional bluegrass, old-time and early country tunes, and brings together a unique blend of styles and talents. They are all seasoned professionals, but most importantly they share a genuine joy playing this music with one another, and it comes through in every performance.
Annie Staninec is a uniquely gifted fiddle player bringing driving rhythm, musicality and joyful exuberance to every performance. She has performed in over 20 countries with artists spanning from Peter Rowan to Rod Stewart, and is on countless recordings in a variety of musical styles. Annie has been receiving musical recognition and awards since a young age, and her fiddling is 100% guaranteed to put a smile on your face!
Annie will be joined by her musical partner John Kael on banjo. John is a founding member of Whiskey Deaf, a multi-instrumentalist and award-winning songwriter, and has toured and taught internationally for over 20 years.
On vocals and guitar will be the powerhouse singer Jered Widman. An Oregon native, Jered was introduced to early country music at a young age by a musical family, and his voice has been showcased in numerous country and bluegrass bands for decades, including local favorites Great Northern Planes.
The Baker Family
The Baker Family is a high-energy bluegrass band located in south central Missouri. They perform at bluegrass events throughout the United States from Maine to California. Some shows include Season 12 of AMERICA'S GOT TALENT, RFD-TV's The Bluegrass Trail, and PBS Great American Bluegrass, while also winning awards including 2016 International Country Gospel Music Association Bluegrass Band of the Year, SPBGMA Midwest Album of the Year- Walking a Straight Path, and SPBGMA Midwest Entertainers of the Year. Band members consist of Trustin Baker (23yrs old - Fiddle/Banjo/lead vocals/harmony), Carina Baker (21yrs old - Mandolin/lead vocals/harmony/jig dancer), Elijah Baker (18yrs old - lead guitar& Upright Bass/lead vocals/harmony), and Carrie Baker (mother - guitar/upright bass).
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to General Cothren. He can be reached at 360-520-4524. General Cothren said this will be his last year as the President during the Mt. St. Helens Bluegrass festival, lets send General Cothren off with a bang. "This year's Bluegrass festival will be exceptional," said General Cothren. "We have different bands and some returning bands. We will also have different ages of performers so we will have something or everyone. Grab your lawn chairs and come on down, we look forward to this year being the best yet."