The Grammy nominated bluegrass band Blue Highway is set to perform at Breaks Interstate Park on Friday, August 5.
“We are both proud and excited to have Blue Highway on stage here at the park,” said Superintendent Matthew O’Quinn, “They are known as one of the premier contemporary bluegrass bands of this era,” he added.
At the 17-year mark, Blue Highway is indisputably one of the most esteemed and influential groups in contemporary bluegrass. The band’s nine exceptional albums and compelling live performances give proof to the stellar reviews, Grammy nominations, and numerous awards earned by the band since it first took the stage on December 31, 1994 with the same musicians that comprise Blue Highway today.
With a deep bench of virtuosic songwriters, vocalists, and instrumentalists, Blue Highway’s hallmark is an unwavering commitment to the ensemble, the “democracy of the band” that makes Blue Highway a powerhouse.
Individually, Jason Burleson (banjo, guitar, mandolin), Rob Ickes (Dobro), Shawn Lane (mandolin, fiddle, vocals), Tim Stafford (guitar, vocals), and Wayne Taylor (bass, vocals) are masters of their respective roles. Together, in Stafford’s words, they are a “democracy in the best sense of the word”: five gifted artists selflessly merging their talents into a seamlessly brilliant group sound. As a result, the band moves from strength to strength, more mature and impressive with each new album.
Blue Highway has five gifted writers in its ranks. Rob and Jason turn out the heart-pounding instrumentals, while Shawn, Tim, and Wayne give Blue Highway a depth of songwriting talent unprecedented in sixty years of bluegrass bands.
With nine highly-acclaimed albums to its credit, Blue Highway has garnered two Grammy nominations, a Dove Award, topped the Bluegrass Unlimited radio charts, and won numerous International Bluegrass Music Association awards. Refusing to coast on past glories, Blue Highway continues to push its music to new levels of accomplishment. Artfully balanced between tradition and innovation, it remains in the forefront of contemporary bluegrass music.
Blue Highway will take the amphitheater stage on Friday, August 5 at 8 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance, or $12 at the gate. All seats are general admission. Tickets may be purchased by calling 276-865-4413 ext. 244.
Breaks Interstate Park is located on the Kentucky – Virginia border and is accessed by State Route 80. Commissioned by the U.S. Congress in 1954, it encompasses more than 4,600 acres and boasts the deepest river canyon east of the Mississippi River, "The Grand Canyon of the South." Breaks Park is one of only two interstate parks in the United States. For more information about the park, please visitwww.BreaksPark.com.