BLUEGRASS WINTERJAM 2011 - February 19, 2011
South Oaks Baptist Church
5925 U. S. Highway 287
Arlington Texas  76017

The inaugural Bluegrass WinterJam was held on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at South Oaks Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas.  The event featured performances by the IBMA award-winning Gibson Brothers Band and bluegrass gospel favorites Honi Deaton & Dream.  Also performing on the main stage was Bluefield Express, Clover Girls, Midnight Train, and Bluestem Bluegrass.  The Gibson Brothers Band presented an instructional workshop from 5-6p to a packed house.  And AcousticMusicCamp.com hosted a Jamming Class from noon-3p, taught by Gerald Jones, Nate Lee, and Dennis McBride, that was attended by nearly 40 bluegrass musicians. 

Everyone enjoyed a day of great jamming, workshops, and music.  Shirley Owens attended and sent in her review:  "The winter concert was fabulous - the Gibson Brothers are one of my favorite groups and they did not disappoint.  Their workshop was one of the most enjoyable ever.  They were so personable and gracious and, although I know attendees would have held them forever, they indicated that they didn't want to cut into Honi Deaton's performance time.  Such class all the way!  Any event in which Bluegrass Heritage Foundation is involved is always well done and we applaud your dedication to spreading the bluegrass word!"

BLOOMIN' BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL - Friday & Saturday, October 15-16, 2010
Farmers Branch Historical Park
2540 Farmers Branch Lane
5925 U. S. Highway 287
Arlington Texas  76017

The Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival was held on Friday and Saturday, October 15-16, 2010 in the Farmers Branch Historical Park in Farmers Branch, Texas and was completely free and open to the public.  The festival was presented by the City of Farmers Branch, Texas and the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation.  Musical performances were provided by Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, The Travelin' McCourys with Dan Tyminski, J. D. Crowe & The New South, Seldom Scene, Claire Lynch Band, The Boxcars, Jim Hurst, Jeff & Vida Band, The Herrins, and Highlands Crossing.  

A great crowd was on hand both days and they enjoyed perfect weather, incredible musical performances, tours of the rose gardens and the historical structures in the Farmers Branch Historical Park, vendors, and loads of great jamming.  Saturday's festivities included the Farmer's Branch Mayor's Military Appreciation Dinner and the presentation of the inaugural Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Star Award to Rhonda Vincent.  Texas Governor Rick Perry and First Lady Anita Perry sent a congratulatory proclamation to the City of Farmers Branch and a warm welcome to Festival attendees.  Photographs are courtesy of Bob Compere and Derrick Birdsall.

BLUEGRASS HERITAGE FESTIVAL - Friday & Saturday, March 5-6, 2010
South Oaks Baptist Church
5925 U. S. Highway 287
Arlington Texas  76017

The third annual Bluegrass Heritage Festival was held on Friday and Saturday, March 5-6, 2010 at South Oaks Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas.  The festival featured performances by Blue Highway, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Alecia Nugent, the Quebe Sisters Band, the Marksmen Quartet, the Herrin Family, and Nickelville Road.  Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the instrument instructional workshops (including workshops conducted by all the members of Blue Highway on Friday evening and guitar, mandolin, and banjo workshops on Saturday), vendors, and terrific jamming.  See more photos on our Photos page.  Festival photographs were provided courtesy of Bob Compere and Cole Flikkema.

BLUEGRASS HERITAGE FESTIVAL - September 19, 2009
South Oaks Baptist Church
5925 U. S. Highway 287
Arlington Texas  76017

The second annual Bluegrass Heritage Festival was held on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at South Oaks Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas.  The festival featured performances by the Josh Wiliams Band (Josh was the 2008 IBMA and SPBGMA Guitar Player of the Year), the Toy Hearts from Birmingham, England (with special guest fiddler Raphael Maillet from Paris, France and guest bassist Alan Tompkins), Star Canyon, the Herrin Family, Clear River, Nickelville Road, Salt Rock Rounders, and Grass Notes.  We had a wonderful crowd, great instrument instructional workshops (including a guitar workshop by Josh Williams and Toy Heart Sophia Johnson, as well as mandolin, banjo, and clawhammer banjo workshops), and lots of jamming.  See more photos from the Festival on our Photos page.

Two-time Grammy nominee and notable songwriter/session vocalist Claire Lynch took a night off from fronting one of the nation's best-beloved bluegrass acts, the Claire Lynch Band, to share an intimate stage with bandmate Jim Hurst in a rare duet appearance at the historic Sons of Hermann Hall near downtown Dallas.  Claire and Jim hosted a well-attended one-hour vocal and guitar instructional workshop prior to the show and offered tips and advice for the singers and guitar players in the crowd.  The enthusiastic crowd enjoyed the great show, which lasted for more than two hours.  Claire Lynch and Jim Hurst are both members of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Advisory Board.  Event photographs are courtesy of Frank Burd and Zach Burd.

BLUEGRASS HERITAGE FESTIVAL - September 6, 2008
South Oaks Baptist Church
5925 U. S. Highway 287
Arlington Texas  76017

The first Bluegrass Heritage Festival was held on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at South Oaks Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas.  The Festival featured Mark Phillips and Third Generation, Hickory Hill, Blue River, Ellis County Bluegrass, Grassville, Nickelville Road, Salt Rock Rounders, Grass Notes Band, and The Grubb Family.  The instructional workshop schedule consisted of banjo, mandolin, guitar, clawhammer banjo, and songwriting workshops that were well attended.  South Oaks Baptist Church provided food and drinks for the day, and the on-site exhibitors and vendors included iWearBluegrass.com, Fitch Banjos, and the Southwest Bluegrass Club.  We had a great crowd that enjoyed the beautiful weather and excellent facilities.  Jamming went on all afternoon and late into the night, long after the music on stage had ended.  See more photos from the Festival on our Photos page.

THE SPECIAL CONSENSUS - May 3, 2008
Sons of Hermann Hall
3414 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas 75226

w/Special Guest Blue Moon Drive
featuring The Gerald Jones

On Saturday night, May 3, 2008, the Foundation held its first bluegrass event featuring The Special Consensus and Blue Moon Drive at the historic Sons of Hermann Hall near downtown Dallas.  Current IBMA President Greg Cahill (founder of The Special Consensus) and his band put on a great show for the crowd.  “The pleasure was truly ours,” said Cahill.  “We were honored to be featured for your first event.  We certainly enjoyed the evening with a wonderfully responsive audience and great music of Blue Moon Drive.  I hope we can work to support the foundation another time!”