 Prescott,
Arizona is celebrating the 27th Prescott Bluegrass Festival,
presented by The Albert Black Family and Liberty One Lending,
delighting you with world-class bluegrass music and a place
where friendships can flourish. There are thousands of people
like you who love to enjoy such talent as The Gibson Brothers,
Heidi Clare and At A Gallop with Ron Thomason, Sons and
Brothers, Saw Mill Road and award winning Fire Ridge and much
more entertainment!
So where did bluegrass music get its roots? Bluegrass music was
developed by Bill Monroe, a native Kentuckian, in about 1939. He
named his band "The Blue Grass Boys", after his home state of
Kentucky, the bluegrass state.
Most fans believe that the classic bluegrass sound jelled in
1946, shortly after Earl Scruggs, a 21-year-old banjo player
from North Carolina, joined the band. Scruggs played an
innovative three-finger style on his banjo that energized
enthusiastic audiences. His best- known tune is "Foggy Mountain
Breakdown," which was used as the theme music for the movie
"Bonnie and Clyde."
By the 1950s, people began referring to this style of music as
"bluegrass." For his musical genius, Bill Monroe became
acknowledged as the "Father of Bluegrass Music." There are five
main instruments used: Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Bass, and
Fiddle.
In the 1960s, the concept of the "bluegrass festival" was
introduced, featuring several bands on the program over a
weekend. This has grown to hundreds of festivals held all over
the country. Cities such as Phoenix, Bullhead City and Parker
hold their festivals in the winter to avoid the heat of summer.
Cool mile-high Prescott, home to Arizona's 2nd oldest bluegrass
festival, hosts its festival in June.
The Prescott Bluegrass Festival gets underway Saturday, June 21
from 11 am till 6 pm with a street dance that evening. The fun
continues Sunday, June 22 from 10:30 am till 3 pm in downtown
Prescott's beautiful tree-lined courthouse plaza. It's fun,
fantastic and best of all, IT'S FREE!
Camping is also available at Prescott Mile High Middle School
located at 300 S. Granite Street beginning Thursday, June 19.
Cost is only $15.00 per night.
928-445-2000, X120
www.prescottbluegrassfestival.com
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