BEAN CREEK

WITH OTTER OPRY

AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Starting with the basics: If you have never heard Billy Pitrone sing, you have missed one of the most incredible and moving bluegrass voices on the planet. Not only that, but he’s also one of the nicest people ever. OK, enough of that: Billy and his Bean Creek band – a local favorite for a good long time – will be gracing the Otter Opry stage on Saturday, April 5th at the United Methodist Church in Monterey. Eeeh hah!

Who are these folks? Bean Creek is a bluegrass band that plays straight-ahead traditional style bluegrass. Slightly revised since the passing of original (and deeply missed) band member Pete Hicks, the band is now joined by Henry and Ella Warde. Enthusiasm and passion, as well as fine song choices including rousing instrumentals and heartfelt ballads, are guaranteed to delight foot-stompin’ audiences like you. Dulcet harmonies and fun stage banter are always a solid part of the program, so get ready for some real fun! 

Bean Creek was voted Best Band four times by the Northern California Bluegrass Society, while Billy has captured Best Vocalist eight times since 2008. Rob has also picked up Best Banjo Player in previous years. Band members include Billy Pitrone on guitar and vocals, Sarah Eblen on bass and vocals, Rob Horgan on banjo, Ella Warde on fiddle and vocals and Henry Warde on mandolin and vocals. This is the sweetest, best, most talented bunch of bluegrass stars you could ever hope to see and hear. C’mon down!

3pm. 

 $25/show (CBA members $20; 15 and under free) 

Online ticket sales will end at noon on the day of the performance.

larry@otteropry.org

SETH MULDER & MIDNIGHT RUN

WITH OTTER OPRY

AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Once again, Otter Opry will be knocking your bluegrass socks off with an awesome show on Tuesday, May 13th at the United Methodist Church: Seth Mulder & Midnight Run. Hailing from the gateway of the Great Smoky Mountains, the band started its journey in 2015 at the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. With five like-minded musicians and graduates of college music programs, this group is strongly tied to the rich bluegrass traditions, while simultaneously offering a fresh approach to the "High Lonesome" sound. Each member draws from various influences, including bluegrass, country, and rock and roll. Together, they present a high-energy show filled with nostalgic entertainment, tight harmonies, and skillful musicianship.  

With over 300 dates a year, the band's high-energy style of music has taken them worldwide, including festivals across the United States, Canada, and multiple European tours. Together, Seth Mulder, Colton Powers,Tyler Griffith, Chevy Watson, and Max Silverstein create a powerhouse of music and a stage show you do not want to miss, and that is why they're one of the most talked-about young bluegrass bands on the festival circuit today. 

A favorite among bluegrass enthusiasts and non-bluegrass audiences alike, the band keeps the energy high and the audience on their feet. They clearly understand that when they're on stage, it's not only about the music -- it's about connecting with the audience and creating a memory that will last a lifetime. In a day and age where authenticity is everything, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run are the real deal, so come on out and see for yourself. The event includes a delicious enchilada dinner at 5:30pm ($12.50 before May 10th, $17.50 at the door).

7pm. 

 $35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free); $12.50-17.50/pre-show dinner. 

Online ticket sales will end at noon on the day of the performance.

larry@otteropry.org

THE ALUM RIDGE BOYS & ASHLEE

WITH OTTER OPRY

AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

What could possibly be better? It's bluegrass from the Blue Ridge, and it's coming to the Monterey United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 19th as the next incredible show from Otter Opry.

Mining the fertile common ground between bluegrass, early country music, and traditional mountain music, The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee are Virginia’s torchbearers of the old time sound. Featuring the classic quintet of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, and bass, the band comprises five masterful musicians and singers who have immersed themselves in the dance music traditions of the Blue Ridge region and developed a deeply rooted old time bluegrass sound. Deep appreciation for Country and "Hillbilly" music of the '30s, '40s, and '50s enables the band to craft tasteful original songs and instrumentals that blend seamlessly alongside the classics.

Their powerful harmony singing and energetic instrumentals have captivated audiences around the globe and helped the band to win many awards, including first prize in the old time band contest at the 85th Annual Old Fiddlers’ Convention in Galax, Virginia and the bluegrass band contest at the 51st Mount Airy Fiddlers’ Convention in North Carolina. Band members have also won a slew of individual awards including first place bluegrass banjo at Galax, first place old time fiddle at the Appalachian String Band Festival in Clifftop, WV, and first prize in the 29th Annual MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee cut no corners when it comes to real, hard hitting, old time country music -- an approach that is quickly gaining them loyal followers far beyond the reaches of their Virginia mountain home. You will love this show! The event includes a delicious spaghetti dinner at 5:30pm ($12.50 before June 14th, $17.50 at the door).

7pm. 

 $35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free); $12.50-17.50/pre-show dinner. 

Online ticket sales will end at noon on the day of the performance.

larry@otteropry.org

NEVER COME DOWN

WITH OTTER OPRY

AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Weaving together modern and traditional styles of American music, Never Come Down -- headlining Saturday, July 26th as part of Otter Opry's widely touted bluegrass concert series -- is a Portland, Oregon-based band composed of Joe Suskind (guitar), Crystal Lariza (vocals), Brian Alley (banjo), Kaden Hurst (mandolin) and Ben Ticknor (bass). 

Formed in 2018, the band began touring extensively, steadily cultivating a passionate fan base at home in the Pacific Northwest and eventually around the country and internationally. Audiences at festivals such as Iceland Airwaves, John Hartford Memorial Fest, Americanafest, FreshGrass and RockyGrass have quickly recognized and appreciated the band's dedication to thoughtful songwriting and dynamic arrangements, which highlight polished technical skills and a commitment to listening to each other. 

“Never Come Down has as much raw musical talent as any up-and-coming band out there today," says Chris Pandolfi of The Infamous Stringdusters. "They play and sing with authority and emotion beyond their years, and they showcase those skills through timeless songs that are all their own. Unlike a lot of string bands, the sound of their individual voices/instruments merge seamlessly into one, and I find myself listening to the emotion, not the picking." Adds r/Bluegrass: "Never Come Down gets better every time I see them. Their recipe of two parts heart, one part soul, stirred in with a generous amount of mighty fine pickin’ is….mmm…mmm!…Delicious." Online ticketing will end at 10:00am the day of the show. Don't miss this special Otter Opry matinee!

3pm. 

 $35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free)

Online ticket sales will end at 10:00am on the day of the performance.

larry@otteropry.org

REBECCA FRAZIER

WITH OTTER OPRY

AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Let’s start with an on-point opinion from GRAMMY-winning banjoist and producer Alison Brown: “Rebecca Frazier is an important voice among the group of women whose musical talents and creative visions are recasting bluegrass. A triple threat, she sings, plays, and writes with fire and grace.” This “triple threat” will be gracing the Otter Opry stage on Thursday, August 21st at the United Methodist Church in Monterey, and it’s a show you’ll want to put on your calendar without delay.

Grounded in her roots as a native Virginian, and like generations of her ancestors who have lived along Virginia’s coast, Rebecca Frazier has weathered life’s hurricanes and battering winds. She has also witnessed its luminous beauty, and her aim is to capture that juxtaposition with her music. “The paradox presented in the last line of my song ‘Hurricanes’ — ’We just keep on living here, boarding windows every year in paradise’ — that’s what pushed me to my current space,” she explains.

As the first woman to grace the cover of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine, there’s no question that Frazier’s unique guitar playing will set the tone for this show. And with Charles Butler on banjo, Larry Cook on bass, Jordan Santiago on mandolin, and Laura Orshaw on fiddle, you can be sure that the music will be moving, inspirational, and fully authentic. Being real and true has always been a top priority for Frazier, and that’s what this show is all about: real, true bluegrass and acoustic roots music. So come on down, have dinner with us before the show ($15 in advance, $20 after August 16th), and get ready for an evening you’ll never forget.

7pm. 

 $35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free); $15-20/pre-show dinner. 

Online ticket sales will end at noon on the day of the performance.

larry@otteropry.org