Bluegrass in New York

1.  Crooked Still at City Winery Thursday, January 13th.  Fabulous bluegrass music with the only PHD molecular biologist 4- finger banjo player in the world, Greg Liszt (at least I think I’m pretty safe saying that).  More info & tix

2.  The Punch Brothers at the Bowery Ballroom Saturday, January 15th.  These gents are rewriting the rules of what a bluegrass quartet can do- shake off the post holiday blues on the Bowery with the Punch Brothers.  More info & tix

3.  The Grascals featuring IBMA banjo player of the year, Kristin Nelson, at the Highline Ballroom Sunday, January 23rd.  This band is going places- but not before they stop in New York to show off their banjo player.  More info & tix

4.  The Steam Powered Hour at Jalopy Sunday, January 30th.  The line up hasn’t even been announced yet, but I know I can recommend this one.  Past line-ups for this variety show in my favorite Brooklyn venue have included Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Pete Holmes, Chris Thile, Kenny Kosek, Demetri Martin, The Steep Canyon Rangers (below), Tony Trischka, Jessie Klein, The Two Man Gentlemen Band and many more.  More info & tix

5.  Dailey & Vincent take the stage by storm at Joe’s Pub on February 2nd.  This bluegrass duo will make the cold February wind seem sweet. They’ve also picked up several IBMA awards of late- including for their tribute album to the Statler Brothers. More info & tix

6.  Rhett Miller starts a residency at City Winery with a gig featuring Bobby Bare Jr.  The lead man of the Old 97s is a great songwriter- this show will be a fine time.  More info & tix

7.  The Johnny Cash 79th Birthday Bash is always something to look forward to.  Alex Battles and his Whiskey Rebellion celebrate the life and music of the man in the black at Brooklyn’s Bell House.  More info & tix

8.  Road trip!  Loretta Lynn at the Ulster Performing Arts Center in Kingston, NY on March 4th.  This queen of country music is worth the 2 hour drive! More info & tix

9.  Portland, Oregon’s Foghorn Stringband will play Brooklyn’s Jalopy Theatre on March 20th.  In addition to their ‘ass kickin’ stringband’ music, the group will be doing workshops throughout the day on fiddle and guitar.  More info & tix

10.  Legendary mandolinist and bandleader David Grisman will be with his quintet on April 9th at City Winery.  More info & tix

11.  The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival will return July 14-17 on the Walsh Farm in Oak Hill, New York.  The lineup has yet to be announced, but there is a reason this is the IBMA bluegrass festival of the year.  Last year’s performers included Tim O’Brien, Del McCoury, Railroad Earth, David Grisman, The Greencards, Crooked Still, Doyle Lawson, Sarah Jarosz and many others.  More info & tix