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Bluegrass at the Ritz
with Jake Landers and Friends Jake Landers is a premier bluegrass songwriter who co-founded The Dixie Gentlemen. He was one of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys and has played the Grand Ole Opry. Landers penned several hit songs including Walk Softly On this Heart of Mine
that sold 22 million copies. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Jake holds the distinction of Music Achiever at the Alabama Music Hall
of Fame. He was inducted with the first class into the Alabama Bluegrass
Hall of Fame.
Kay Bain and The Jake Landers Band Saturday, February 16, 2013 Shows at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Ritz Theatre - Sheffield We had a great turn-out for the 2013 Festival. Thanks to the artists for bringing us a day of great bluegrass and to the audiences who attended. Our deep appreciation to Iron Horse for "stepping up to the plate" to perform in place of the Jake Landers Band and to Kay Bain for acting as MC. Jake Landers was recovering from a visit to the hospital, but he did perform with New Home and was able to join us for most of the day.
Jake is on his way to full recovery and has begun organizing the January 18, 2013 Festival. Wait 'til you see THAT line-up! 2013 performers were: Iron Horse
Kay Bain is Tupelo's WTVA The Mornin' Show host. She performs at festivals, nursing homes, senior-citizen centers, civic and at charitable events. Kay and her late husband, Buddy, appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and Hee Haw.
Wailin Wood is a performer proclaimed by American Harmonica Newsmagazine as the next rising star in bluegrass." Wailin Wood grew up in Cape May, a small Victorian town at the southern tip of Jew Jersey. He has been playing the harmonica for over 25 years. Wailin is a harmonica player and a versatile entertainer whose styles range from novelty tunes, gospel, blues, classical, Irish and county; however he is best known for the way he plays bluegrass, the genre he plays with a sound that might best be described as a bluegrass harp. He performs throughout the year at concerts and at church functions. He also does session work, teaches harmonica classes and workshops and jams when the opportunity arises. Wailin currently resides in a small town outside of Nashville, TN
Wayne Jerrolds & Savannah Grass - Jerrolds has won the Mid-South Fair fiddling championship dozens of times,. He co-produced music for the film, Walking Tall
in which he was a featured fiddler. He has appeared on TV, the Grand
Ole Opry and at the 1981 World's Fair. He was a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, and was inducted into Monroe's Bluegrass Hall of Fame. Jerrolds founded the Savannah (Tennessee) Bluegrass Festival.
Breaking Grass is
a bluegrass band composed of 5 multi-talented guys from northeast
Mississippi. They have performed at churches, festivals, and community
functions for the past 4 years. this group combines strong vocal
harmonies with skilled instrumentation to create an exciting stage
performance filled with traditional favorites as well as original
material. The band has performed with a number of top bluegrass and
gospel artists and have quickly become an audience favorite. They won
the Leon Frazier Memorial Gospel Talent Search in June 2010 and was
named the 2011 State of Mississippi Bluegrass Band Champions at the
state sanctioned competition in New Albany, MS. New Home The northeast corner of Alabama is blessed with a rich tradition of music. Out of this tradition comes a group of young men who play stringed instruments the way their ancestors have played for generations. Their first recording project, Looking For Jesus, shows they have learned to balance the fundamentals of bluegrass with modern techniques and styles.
The group features three members from Pisgah: Stacey Peek, banjo, guitar, tenor and lead vocals; Jesse Daniel, mandolin and harmony vocals; Jason Wilborn upright bass, baritone and lead vocals; Ronnie Stiefel from Fyffe rounds out the group on guitar, low tenor and baritone.
Each member of New Home brings years of professional bluegrass experience to the group. One listen to their album, Looking For Jesus, and the bluegrass fan will find an instant favorite. Members of New Home are quick to admit, however, that the purpose of their group goes far beyond the music. “The style of music we are all drawn to is just the outlet God has blessed us with to share the gospel of Jesus Christ,” says Jason Wilborn. “First and foremost, we are Christians, and our main goal with our music is to see people come to Christ.”
Stacey Peek agrees. “We’re blessed to be able to serve our Lord and Savior using bluegrass music, the style of music that runs deep in the traditions of our Sand Mountain.”
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