CALIFORNIA BLUEGRASS REUNION

 WITH OTTER OPRY

AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

You really won’t believe who’s coming to Otter Opry on Tuesday, November 15th at the United Methodist Church: the California Bluegrass Reunion. You might not have heard the band name before, but wait till you hear who’s in it. The collective is highlighted by the outrageous double fiddling of acoustic legend Darol Anger and Chad Manning and features an abundance of original instrumentals from mandolinist John Reischman and banjo player Bill Evans. Anchoring the rhythm section is Jim Nunally on guitar and vocals and Sharon Gilchrist on bass. 

Exceptional among modern fiddlers for his versatility and depth, Darol Anger is at home in a number of musical genres, some of which he helped to invent. Grammy Award-winning John Reischman is a foundational mandolinist, composer, bandleader and musical educator in bluegrass and North American roots and folk music. Bill Evans occupies a unique niche in the banjo world, celebrated worldwide for his varied bluegrass banjo styles as well as his innovative original compositions. Jim Nunally is a musician, composer, record producer and teacher – all in addition to being one of the finest guitar players in the world. Chad Manning is a bluegrass, old-time and swing fiddler who has performed with more famous bands than you can count, including Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands. Sharon Gilchrist has long made her home in the American acoustic music scene, performing on concert and festival stages all over North America. 

These musicians have made music in various combinations for decades, but this all-star performance is an incredible opportunity to see and hear them together. To describe the show as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is no exaggeration. The event includes a public jam starting at 4:00pm and an outside dinner at 5:30pm ($10 before November 5, $15 at the door). Online sales will end at noon day of the performance.

7pm. 

 $35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free); $10-15/pre-show dinner. 

Ticketing will end at noon on the day of the performance.

larry@otteropry.org

We will observe all County COVID restrictions.

SLOCAN RAMBLERS

 WITH OTTER OPRY

AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

All you have to do is look at the reviews to be absolutely sure you don’t want to miss the Slocan Ramblers Friday, January 20th at Otter Opry. “I love it – smokin’ bluegrass!” – BBC Radio “This fearless, fleet-fingered string band is adventurously advancing the high lonesome sound of bluegrass to great acclaim.” – The Bluegrass Situation “Effortlessly pushing bluegrass back to its earlier roots in Appalachian traditions, while steering old sounds in fascinating new directions.” – No Depression

The Slocan Ramblers (2020 IBMA Momentum Band of the Year Award Winner and 2019 Juno Award Nominee) are Canada’s bluegrass band to watch. Rooted in tradition, fearlessly creative and possessing a bold, dynamic sound, The Slocans have become a leading light of today’s acoustic music scene. With a reputation for energetic live shows, impeccable musicianship and an uncanny ability to convert anyone within earshot into a lifelong fan, The Slocans have been winning over audiences from Merlefest to RockyGrass and everywhere in between.

The event includes a public jam starting at 4:00pm and an outside dinner at 5:30pm ($12.50 before January 14, $17.50 at the door). Online sales will end at noon the day of the performance.

7pm. 

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

Ticketing will end at noon on the day of the performance.

larry@otteropry.org

We will observe all County COVID restrictions.

KATHY KALLICK BAND

 WITH OTTER OPRY

AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Otter Opry brings another unbelievable bluegrass show to Monterey on Saturday, February 18th with the Kathy Kallick Band. Bluegrass Unlimited captures the feeling perfectly: “Kathy Kallick's deeply soulful voice, magnificent delivery, and compelling musical styles shows she's one of the greatest bluegrass vocalists of her generation — or any other." And Rambles says: “Few present-day artists in the genre share her grasp of the larger folk background and older mountain music from which bluegrass emerged in the middle of the last century.” 

Kathy Kallick’s exceptional career includes winning a Grammy and two IBMA Awards, receiving a Lifetime Membership from the California Bluegrass Association, co-founding the internationally-acclaimed Good Ol’ Persons, and collaborating with the country’s top acoustic musicians  — including her awesome band: Annie Staninec (fiddle), Greg Booth (dobro, banjo), Tom Bekeny (mandolin), and Cary Black (acoustic bass).

The Kathy Kallick Band has nearly as much fun as the audience when performing, and their presentation is always inclusive and satisfying. And they’re truly a band, listening to and sparked by each other, contributing to the songs and the sound as a whole.  This is definitely a show you don’t want to miss! The event includes a public jam starting at 4:00pm and an outside dinner at 5:30pm ($12.50 before February 11th, $17.50 at the door). Online sales will end at noon the day of the performance.

7pm. 

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

Ticketing will end at noon on the day of the performance.

larry@otteropry.org

We will observe all County COVID restrictions.

LAURIE LEWIS AND THE RIGHT HANDS

 WITH OTTER OPRY

AT MONTEREY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

  Otter Opry just gets better and better, and here’s the proof:  Thursday, March 23rd will see the amazing Laurie Lewis and her band The Right Hands performing at the Monterey United Methodist Church. Quicksilver Productions says it perfectly: “For fiddler, guitarist, singer, songwriter and Grammy-winner Laurie Lewis, the traditions of bluegrass and folk aren’t so much tools in her hands, but burning sources of inspiration that have driven her through a 30+ year career at the forefront of American roots music.”

Since her debut in 1986, Laurie has recorded over 20 albums. She's been voted IBMA's Female Vocalist of the Year twice, and her classic rendition of "Who Will Watch the Home Place?" won International Bluegrass Song of the Year. She has performed with many acclaimed artists, including Linda Ronstadt, Tim O’Brien and Ralph Stanley. Linda Ronstadt describes Laurie’s voice as “a rare combination of grit and grace, strength and delicacy.”  

Laurie’s band The Right Hands features several of the most talented musicians on the American acoustic scene, marrying spectacular musicianship (on fiddle, banjo, guitar and double bass) with top-notch vocal harmonies and skillful interpretations of bluegrass and folk classics as well as Laurie’s original songs. This is a rare opportunity to see a true bluegrass pioneer who remains at the top of her game. The event includes a public jam starting at 4:00pm and an outside dinner at 5:30pm ($12.50 before March 18th, $17.50 at the door). Online sales will end at noon the day of the performance. 

7pm. 

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

Ticketing will end at noon on the day of the performance.

larry@otteropry.org

We will observe all County COVID restrictions.