HUGE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL AND YOU CAN TAKE IT ALL IN!

You can attend by viewing the performances from the comfort of your home..  To my knowledge this is a new concept for spreading the message of bluegrass and roots music. Here is the message I just received from Joe Lurgio:

The folks at Concert Window have scheduled the world's first online roots and bluegrass festival called the Bluegrass Roundup.   This will be the first ever multi-day bluegrass festival online, offering most of the concerts on a donation-based, pay-what-you-want basis. Over 50 different acts, from all across the US, are scheduled to perform back-to-back sets, festival style, using the Concert Window performance application. Please help spread the word about this unique event that can help alleviate anyones "cabin fever".  More info below, attached and here: Bluegrass Today article

Utilizing the web artists are able to broadcast from where ever they are in the world. Some performances will be coming to you from from concert stages, others from a performer’s home, or a motel room. All will be delivered to your digital devices, computer or TV set (depending on software and connections) in high definition video and sound. You can pick and choose the sets you’d like to watch, or plop down and watch them all, end to end.

The Bluegrass Roundup starts tonight and runs from February 20-28, starting each evening at 7:00 or 8:00 p.m. (EST) and running until 11:00 or 11:30. There will be traditional bluegrass from artists like Roland White, Mountain Faith, and Circa Blue; more contemporary grass from Jim Lauderdale, Sierra Hull, Lonely Heartstring Band, Railsplitters, Front Country, Town Mountain, and Barefoot Movement; and groundbreaking new sounds from Mr. Sun, Bryan Sutton, Mike Marshall & Caterina Lichtenberg, Jim Lauderdale and more.

There will also be instrumental workshops with Ned Luberecki (banjo), Lauren Rioux (fiddle), and Sierra Hull, Mike Compton and Casey Campbell (mandolin).  The week long event is perfect for listeners of all types of acoustic music. Fans of one group can log in for their favorites, and stay to experience other artists they may not be familiar with. Talent buyers and label representatives can also benefit as well from the convenient access to lot of new acts from the comfort of their home or office.

Concert Window’s Artist Relations Manager, Emma Beaton, herself a contemporary bluegrass artist, says that grass and roots are the perfect match for an online festival.

“A lot of people don’t think that bluegrass fits with new technology. But bluegrass artists have really embraced new technology, especially online. We’re very proud to be the first company to ever run an online bluegrass festival, welcoming these artists to the Concert Window Community and the online stage. We’re huge bluegrass fans and are excited to have folks doing shows online."

There will be a set from a Japanese bluegrass band, The Blueside of Lonesome, and from college programs like The Bethel University Bluegrass Band (under the leadership of Stephen Mougin) and The ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band (under the leadership of Daniel Boner).

70% of all monies raised is shared with the artists performing, and Concert Window can be viewed on any device that can connect to the Internet.  Most of the shows will be set to a donation only so viewers can decide when and how much to pay.  Many artists will be offering gifts for viewers who donate too. A full list of players and bands scheduled during Bluegrass Roundup can be found on the Concert Window site.

Spread the word!  

Thanks, 

Joe Lurgio