Blue Highway, one of the most influential bluegrass bands in the industry, will headline Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s newest cultural event — Bluegrass at the Beach — a day-long music showcase event on Saturday, September 12.
The event is part of the foundation’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Along with headliner Blue Highway, The Hillbenders, Run Boy Run, Willie Sugarcapps, Moore Brothers Band, Dread Clampitt and Dismal Creek will take the stage. In addition, rising star, Danielle Yother, a 16 year-old singer, songwriter and musician who was recently featured in Flatpicking Guitar magazine, will be making a special appearance.
Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village
Entering its third consecutive decade, the seasoned five-member Blue Highway band is one of the most esteemed and influential groups in contemporary bluegrass. Since first taking the stage on new Year’s Even in 1994, the band’s 11 albums and many live performances have earned accolades across the country, including a number of prestigious awards and two Grammy Award nomination. That first performance featured the same musicians that comprise Blue Highway today, making their 21-year long career all the more remarkable.
Blue Highway’s newest release, “The Game,” soared to No. 1 on the national Bluegrass Unlimited Album Chart and held the top spot for a seven consecutive months (June-December ’14). The album’s title track — named the No. 1 Bluegrass Album of the Year by Bluegrass Today — also topped the charts at No. 1 for three months on the national Bluegrass Unlimited Song Chart (Aug.-October ’14).
The Nashville-based band will perform in Destin as part of its nationwide tour.
“Blue Highway is honored to be invited to headline Destin’s inaugural Bluegrass on the Beach event,” said Blue Highway bass player and singer/songwriter Wayne Taylor.
“It’ll be a blast, and we look forward to seeing old friends from East Tennessee, as well as meeting lots of new friends from Destin and Northwest Florida on the beach in September!”
Top Row – L to R: The Hillbenders, Run Boy Run & Willie Sugarcapps; Bottom Row – L to R: Dread Clampitt, Dismal Creek & Moore Brothers Band
“To have a powerhouse band such as Blue Highway headline the first ever Bluegrass festival on the Emerald Coast is both a coup and a thrill,” said the foundation’s CEO Marcia Hull. “Like Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, they too are a highly collaborative group with a 20-year history, which makes producing this first-ever event all the more exciting.”
Bluegrass at the Beach will celebrate the flavors of the Emerald Coast by featuring fare from local food trucks and some of the area’s most popular restaurants. Wine, beer, water and soda also will be available for purchase. The family-friendly cultural celebration will also feature a Kid’s Art Village with an interactive Pickin’ & Paintin’ area, interactive bluegrass-inspired activities, live folk artist demos and much more.
Doors open at 10 a.m. Parking is available on-site as well as at convenient satellite parking areas with free shuttle service. Chairs and blankets are welcome, but no coolers or outside food and beverage will be permitted.
Tickets for the one-day festival are $45/MKAF members, $55/general admission. Children (under 12) are free. VIP tables will be sold for $750 each. They include premium seating for eight and 16 drink tickets.
