STAUNTON, VA (07/22/2010)(readMedia)-- On Wednesday, July 28th, Staunton Parks and Recreation Department's ongoing bluegrass festival will feature Flatt Broke at 7:30 p.m. and then High Ground will take the stage at 8:15 p.m. at the Bandstand in Gypsy Hill Park. Both are high quality local bands with a great following from the Churchville and Harrisonburg areas.

Flatt Broke is a loose confederation of pickers morphed into a band by chance. The name "Flatt Broke" was a temporary name picked in order to play for a benefit. The name stuck. After several months of jamming weekly and playing for the benefit, requests for Flatt Broke to play at public and private events began coming quickly. After the first quarter, the group went into the studio to put together their first CD: "Out of the Tractor Shed". Influences on the CD include classic bluegrass, old country standards and some originals. The group's repertoire dips into rock and roll, folk, gospel and any other path you'd want to hear and they have the chemistry to make it work. While the group adapted to working in the studio, they are most at home in front of a single microphone, playing for fans and family. A year after their first public appearance they will go back into the studio (early 2009) for their second CD (Flatt Broke website).

High Ground, a local band hailing from Harrisonburg, blends ingredients for success. With four seasoned musicians, hot picking, great vocals, high energy, and a bluegrass band that sells out its shows, High Ground's recipe for bluegrass has quickly gained a reputation as a professional as well as entertaining. "There are few things more fun than a democratic, inclusive bluegrass outfit, especially one that is trotting out new material by folks who've played together for a long time. Throw in the fact that most of these guys play multiple instruments and can fill various vocal responsibilities, and you've got something", says music critic Bill Kramer of the Staunton News Leader.

As always, the event is free and concert goers should bring their own lawn chairs and blankets for comfort. Lions Club Refreshments are available for purchase. For more information call 540.332.3945 or email Chris Tuttle at tuttlecj@ci.staunton.va.us. You can also get more information by logging on to www.stauntonparksandrecreationrevolution.com.

Posted Thursday July 22, 2010 at 08:01 pm by City of Staunton Parks and Recreation
Last Updated Wednesday August 25, 2010 at 07:52 am