Annual festival brings roots music and more

The String Doctors will headline this year’s four-day Bluegrass Festival, which kicks off Thursday at Riverfront Park in Niles.

Billed as an unforgettable package of entertainment, the String Doctors are a bluegrass-fold quartet fronted by the great Joe Mabus and Ray Kamalay. The act includes a blend of music and comedy.

“They are a highly-rated Michigan band and we are happy we were able to get them this year,” said Tom Majerek, event organizer.

The free festival begins at 4 p.m. Thursday, 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Several bands are slotted to play each hour in the amphitheater until late into the evening.

Majerek also pointed out that Colin O’Brien and Sam Grisman would perform a tribute to John Hartford, a Grammy award winning singer/songwriter who died in 2001. Hartford was awarded a Grammy for his contribution to the soundtrack of “O Brother Where Art Thou” and is perhaps best known for writing the song “Gentle on My Mind.”

For those who like the music of the late legend John Denver, the band Special Consensus will play a tribute to him Sunday afternoon.

Looking for a more progressive sound?

Watt Hill, of St. Louis, is a hard driving bluegrass ensemble performing a wide repertoire of originals, instrumentals and classic bluegrass standards.

“They aren’t your traditional bluegrass band,” Majerek said. “We are trying to mix it up.”

They play Saturday and Sunday.

In addition to the music, the festival will also offer a carnival with arts, crafts and food for sale beginning Thursday.

For more information, visit the website nilesbluegrass.com.

Thursday, May 29
4 p.m. — Harpeth Rising
5 p.m. — The Balos Family
5:50 p.m. — String Doctors
6:50 p.m. — Colin O’Brien with Sam Grisman “A John Hartford Tribute”
7:40 p.m. — Harpeth Rising
8:30 p.m. — String Doctors
9:30 p.m. — Colin O’Brien with Sam Grisman (Sam is the son of famed Bluegrass Legend David Grisman)
10:30 p.m. — Music ends for the day

Friday, May 30
4 p.m. — Bucktown Ramblers
4:50 p.m. — Harpeth Rising
5:40 p.m. — Deadwood
6:30 p.m. — Harpeth Rising
7:20 p.m. — Deadwood
8:10 p.m. — Bucktown Ramblers
9 p.m. — Whistle Stop Review
11 p.m. — Music ends for the day

Saturday, May 31
10 a.m.  — Al Mott, One Man Band
Noon — The Balos Family
12:50 p.m. — Harpeth Rising
1:40 p.m. — Calabogie Road
2:30 p.m. — David VanDyke & Friends
3:30 p.m. — Audie Blaylock & Redline
4:30 p.m. — The Balos Family
5:20 p.m. — Harpeth Rising
6:10 p.m. — Calabogie Road
7 p.m. — Watt Hill
8:30 p.m. — Audie Blaylock & Redline
9:30 p.m. — Goldmine Pickers
11 p.m. — Music ends for the day

Sunday, June 1
10 a.m. — The Balos Family
11 a.m. — Clyde Carr & Hymntimers
Noon — Watt Hill
1:30 p.m. — Special Consensus
2:30 p.m. — Audie Blaylock and Redline
3:30 p.m. — Goldmine Pickers
5 p.m. — The Balos Family
5:50 p.m. — Special Consensus
6:50 p.m. — Audie Blaylock and Redline
8 p.m. — music ends

Festival Hours
Thursday — 5 to 10:30 p.m.
Friday — 4 to 11 p.m.
Saturday — 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.