Past Events

Nu-Blu In Concert

Friday March 18, 2022 at 7:15p

University Park United Methodist Church
Fellowship Hall (across from Smith Park)
4024 Caruth Boulevard, Dallas, Texas  75225

A good crowd gathered for a special night of acoustic music with Nu-Blu in the Fellowship Hall of University Park United Methodist Church on Friday, March 18 2022.

North Carolina-based Nu-Blu established themselves as one of the top roots-music acts in the industry, delivering a set of songs that range from the melancholy to the exuberant.  They are working to bring bluegrass music to the masses, serving as the permanent host of nationally-syndicated TV show “Bluegrass Ridge,” which airs in 160 million homes worldwide.

Hailing from Siler City North Carolina, Nu-Blu’s heart and soul is husband-and-wife duo Daniel and Carolyn Routh. Carolyn’s soprano is one of the band’s defining traits.  Daniel is the group’s backbone, a multi-instrumentalist and backing vocalist who also handles band management. Austin Hefflefinger on banjo and Justin Harrison on mandolin round out the quartet’s warm, layered, Appalachian sound.

A Special Evening with David Grier
November 24, 2021 at 7:30p

University Park United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall
4024 Caruth Boulevard, Dallas, Texas  75225

A nice crowd joined us for a special show with David Grier on Tuesday night, Nov. 24, 2021.  David provided an entertaining evening of amazing guitar work, vocals, and stories from the road.

Grier began playing guitar at age six and is now regarded as one of the premier acoustic guitarists in the world, along with his early influences – Doc Watson, Tony Rice, and family friend Clarence White.  He was ecognized by Acoustic Guitar Magazine in 2000 as one of the Artists of the Decade and has been named Guitar Player of the Year three times by the International Bluegrass Music Association.

Bluegrass Saturday Night – Nov. 13 2021
  Featuring Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

McKinney Performing Arts Center
111 N. Tennessee Street, McKinney, Texas  75069


A sold-out crowd was on hand for our Bluegrass Saturday Night 2021 in historic downtown McKinney Texas, the final performance ever in Texas by GRAMMY-nominated Doyle Lawson & QuicksilverBluegrass Music Hall of Fame member Doyle Lawson is one of the most important architects of the bluegrass genre. Highly awarded and recognized over the course of his impressive 58-year career, Lawson is one of the most respected and revered performers in bluegrass music. 

Many consider Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver as the “Ivy League” of bluegrass, with Lawson as the dean of students; no other band leader has mentored more musicians who have gone on to become major players in the bluegrass industry and beyond.  His show included a varied array of many important tunes from his Quicksilver years. 

Opening the show for Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver were the “At The Very Least” banjo brothers The Gerald Jones and Alan Tompkins, who provided a quick twin-banjo opening for the capacity crowd.  Pictures from the show are in our Special Events Photo Gallery.  This event was funded in part by a grant from the City of McKinney Arts Commission, with thanks from the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation.  Photos courtesy of Julie Tucker, Alan Tompkins, and Kitty Antonsen.

Wylie Jubilee – Bluegrass on Ballard – June 26 2021

Wylie Olde City Park, 112 S. Ballard Ave., Wylie, Texas  75098


This year was our EIGHTH year for the Wylie Jubilee – Bluegrass on Ballard and it was a fine day of live bluegrass music on the big stage in Olde City Park in downtown Wylie Texas.  After a missed year of fun and social activity in 2020, folks were more than ready to get out and enjoy the music and jamming.  It was a great day of food, fun, live bluegrass music, a record-setting car show, and more – all free of charge thanks to our sponsors like Blue Star Plumbing, Aire Texas, and the Credit Union of Texas.  Check our photo gallery for more event photos.

The musical lineup included the Becky Buller Band, the Farm Hands, Randy Collier & Grassland, Salt Creek, Bobby Giles & Texas Gales, and the Downtown String Band.

This event was made possible by Wylie Downtown Merchants Association, City of WylieNorth Texas Equestrian Center, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, and many other fine sponsors.  Photos by Nathaniel Dalzell and Alan Tompkins.

Bluegrass Saturday Night – Nov. 14 2020
  Featuring Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

McKinney Performing Arts Center
111 N. Tennessee Street, McKinney, Texas  75069


An enthusiastic (and socially-distanced COVID-compliant 25% capacity) crowd was on hand for our Bluegrass Saturday Night 2020 in historic downtown McKinney Texas, for an outstanding performance by 2020 GRAMMY winner Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper.  According to the Boston Globe, “it’s obvious Michael was destined to become one of bluegrass music’s contemporary stars,” and the band certainly did not disappoint!

Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill says “Michael plays fearlessly, and it’s intoxicating to play with him because he makes you play fearlessly! He takes no prisoners, but he plays with restraint and a soul. He plays without abandon.” Michael Cleveland is IBMA’s most awarded Fiddle Player of the Year with 12 wins, has won Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year six times, and fronts the 6-time IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year.  Michael’s Flamekeeper band included members Josh Richards (guitar), Nathan Livers (mandolin), Jasiah Shrode (banjo), and Chris Douglas (bass).

This event was funded in part by a generous grant from the City of McKinney Arts Commission, with thanks from the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation.

Bluegrass Saturday Night – Nov. 16 2019
  Featuring Kenny & Amanda Smith Band and Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band
    with special guest Downtown String Band

McKinney Performing Arts Center
111 N. Tennessee Street, McKinney, Texas  75069


A great crowd was on hand for our Bluegrass Saturday Night in historic downtown McKinney Texas.  The show featured the GRAMMY-nominated Kenny & Amanda Smith Band and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band, along with special guest Downtown String Band.  Pictures from the show are in our Special Events Photo Gallery.  This event was funded in part by a grant from the City of McKinney Arts Commission, with thanks from the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation.

Winners of the IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year award, the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band combines gutsy, heartfelt vocals and brilliant instrumental talents to create one of the most compelling sounds in bluegrass music today.  Kenny, a two-time IBMA Guitarist of the Year, is considered one of the most influential flatpicking-style guitarists of his generation.  Amanda is a winner of the IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year award and delivers some of the most soulful vocals in bluegrass today.

Sgt. Peppers Lonely Bluegrass Band offered amazing musicianship and vocals on innovative bluegrass interpretations of Beatles songs like Eleanor Rigby, Come Together, Back in the USSR, Blackbird, and more.  The Downtown String Band highlighted the bluegrass and traditional music of Gerald Jones, Mike Jump, Michael Morrison, and Alan Tompkins.  

About McKinney Performing Arts Center

This was the third production by the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation at the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC), the multi-purpose theater in the historic Collin County Courthouse.  MPAC is the center of the McKinney, Texas historic district and is surrounded by a variety of restaurants and boutiques.

Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival – October 18-19, 2019

Farmers Branch Historical Park
2540 Farmers Branch Lane, Farmers Branch Texas  75234

The tenth annual Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival was held on Friday and Saturday, October 18-19, 2019 in the beautiful Farmers Branch Historical Park in Farmers Branch, Texas.  The festival was presented by the City of Farmers Branch and Bluegrass Heritage Foundation.  Incredible musical performances were provided by the Del McCoury Band, Sam Bush Band, Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, the Travelin’ McCourys, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the Kruger Brothers & Dallas Symphony Orchestra Quartet, Sierra Hull & Justin Moses, Chatham County Line, Texas & Tennessee featuring John R. Bowman and Steve Huber, and the Purple Hulls.  Photos are available in our Photo gallery(more…)

Wylie Jubilee – Bluegrass on Ballard – June 29 2019

Wylie Olde City Park, 112 S. Ballard Ave., Wylie, Texas  75098

Wylie Jubilee spectatorsBreaking Grass 170pxJohn R Bowman 170px
This year was our SEVENTH big year for the Wylie Jubilee – Bluegrass on Ballard and it was a great day of music happening on the big stage in Olde City Park in historic downtown Wylie, Texas.  A great crowd was building early in the day until we were interrupted by a large thunderstorm that shut things down on the main stage from about 4:30p-7:30p.  Fortunately, many folks stuck around under the tents in the park and got to enjoy a short acoustic set by Breaking Grass under the tents, with more Breaking Grass on the main stage, and a big finale by Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band on the big stage!  It was a great day of food, fun, live bluegrass music, a spectacular car show, and more – all free of charge.  Check our photo gallery for great event photos.

The musical lineup included Breaking Grass, Texas & Tennessee, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band, Salt Creek, Bobby Giles & Texas Gales, and the Herrins Bluegrass Band.

This event was made possible by Wylie Downtown Merchants Association, City of WylieNorth Texas Equestrian Center, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, and many other fine sponsors.  Photos by Craig Kelly and Nathaniel Dalzell.

A Special Evening with Tim May & Steve Smith
Friday February 22, 2019 at 7:15p

University Park United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall
4024 Caruth Boulevard, Dallas, Texas  75225

A great crowd of folks joined us for a special evening of music with Steve Smith & Tim May on Friday night, Feb. 22 2019, including a whole busload of folks from Temple Baptist Church in Flower Mound, Texas.  Mandolinist/vocalist Steve Smith and Nashville guitarist/vocalist Tim May brought us an evening of original, traditional, and swing music.  These two have collaborated in studio and on stages nationwide, and their show featured tight vocals and guitar, mandolin, octave mandolin, and twin mandolin works in a broad range of styles.  “The” Gerald Jones even stepped in to provide banjo accompaniment and his usual comic relief!

Cuts from Tim & Steve’s latest record, a tribute to the music of the Carter Family, were featured.  The duet album includes a swing version of Little Darlin’ Pal of Mine and a haunting acapella duet of Sailor Boy.  Over 250 songs were considered for the album, and the duo narrowed the selection down to their eight favorites.  Our thanks to Tim and Steve for an evening of terrific acoustic music.

A Special Evening with Dennis W. Parker & Friends
Friday January 18, 2019 at 7:15p

University Park United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall
4024 Caruth Boulevard, Dallas, Texas  75225

Dennis W. ParkerDennis W. Parker and Alan TompkinsDennis Parker & Jessica Tompkins

A nice crowd joined us for an evening of music with Dennis W. Parker and friends on Friday night, Jan. 18 2019.  Dennis is a member of the GRAMMY-winning band Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder where he sings and plays guitar. Dennis has also played professionally with Lee Ann Womack, Tracy Lawrence, Joe Diffie, Mark Chesnutt, as well as others.

He is an amazing instrumentalist who has won state contests on fiddle, banjo, and guitar, and is also one of the most soulful vocalists in music today.  He brings his smooth, relaxed style to bluegrass, country, gospel, pop, and soul music and makes it enjoyable for everyone.

Dennis sang a wide range of songs made popular by artists such as James Taylor, Joe Diffie, the Stanley Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, and many more, and shared stories of his life journey and Christian walk.  He was joined on upright bass by Alan Tompkins and also by the Purple Hulls, Katy and Penny Clark, for several songs.  Dennis also asked Jessica Tompkins to join him on stage to sing Good Good Father.

Lone Star Fest – April 21, 2018

South Oaks Baptist Church
5925 U. S. Highway 287, Arlington Texas  76017


Lone Star Fest 2018 was held on Saturday, April 21 at South Oaks Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas.  The festival featured performances by Blue Highway, Breaking Grass, the Purple Hulls, Augusta Road, the Coleman Brothers & Lone Star Boys, and the Bethlehem Bluegrass Band

Attendees enjoyed an excellent stage show and a load of jamming all around the South Oaks Baptist Church Activities Building.  Many festival participants also attended the guitar, mandolin, banjo, and dobro workshops that were conducted by Tim Stafford, Jason Burleson, Shawn Lane, Gaven Largent, Cody Farrar, Zach Wooten, and Jody Elmore.  More photographs are available in our Lone Star Fest photo gallery.  Festival photographs courtesy of Mark Shaffer and Alan Tompkins.

An Evening With Tim O’Brien
  Featuring Jan Fabricius and special guest Downtown String Band
Saturday November 4, 2017 at 7:00p

McKinney Performing Arts Center
111 N. Tennessee Street, McKinney, Texas  75069

Downtown String Band at MPACTim O'Brien & Jan Fabricius at MPAC
A great crowd was on hand to enjoy An Evening With Tim O’Brien, a special evening of acoustic music by Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Tim O’Brien featuring Jan Fabricius.  The opening act was the Downtown String Band, a Dallas-area band that highlights the bluegrass and traditional music of Gerald Jones, Hailey Sandoz, Michael Morrison, and Alan Tompkins.  Pictures from the show are available in our Special Events Photo Gallery.

About Tim O’Brien

Tim grew up singing in church and in school, and after seeing Doc Watson on TV, became a lifelong devotee of old time and bluegrass music.  Tim first toured nationally in the 1980’s with Colorado bluegrass band Hot Rize. Kathy Mattea scored a country hit with his song Walk The Way The Wind Blows in 1986, and soon artists like Nickel Creek and Garth Brooks covered his songs. Over the years, Tim has released 15 solo CDs and has collaborated with his sister Mollie O’Brien, songwriter Darrell Scott, and noted old time musician Dirk Powell.  He’s performed or recorded with Steve Earle, Mark Knopfler, Bill Frisell, and Steve Martin, and produced records for Yonder Mountain Stringband, David Bromberg, and Canada’s Old Man Luedecke.

O’Brien’s show featured his solid guitar, fiddle, and banjo, along with his engaging vocals and harmony from Jan Fabricius.  Listeners enjoyed a range of original compositions and traditional arrangements from Tim’s many albums, mixed with stories and Tim’s self-deprecating humor.

About McKinney Performing Arts Center

This was the first production by the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation at the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC), the multi-purpose theater in the historic Collin County Courthouse.  MPAC is the center of the McKinney, Texas historic district with a variety of restaurants and boutiques that make it the perfect destination for a Saturday of shopping, dining, and fun!

Wylie Jubilee – Bluegrass on Ballard – July 1 2017

Ballard Avenue, Downtown Wylie, Texas  75098

Wylie 2017 Steve Huber 170px
The Wylie Jubilee – Bluegrass on Ballard was a great success again for our FIFTH big year, with all the music coming from the big stage in Olde City Park in historic downtown Wylie, Texas.  Thousands of folks enjoyed live bluegrass music as well as great food, a spectacular car show, pony rides, arts and crafts, and more – all free of charge.  Check our photo gallery for great event photos.

The musical lineup included IBMA Fiddler of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year Becky Buller, along with her all-star Becky Buller Band, Texas & Tennessee (with John R. Bowman, Steve Huber, Alan Tompkins, and Ron Inscore), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band, Robertson County Line, the Bethlehem Bluegrass Band, and Phil Ferguson & Texas True!

This event was made possible by Wylie Downtown Merchants Association, City of WylieNorth Texas Equestrian Center, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, and many other fine sponsors.  Photos by Nathaniel Dalzell, Mark Porter, and Jeff Campbell.

An Evening With The Surly Gentlemen
A brand new band with Clay Hess, Tim Shelton, & Brennan Hess
Saturday May 6, 2017 at 7:15p

University Park United Methodist Church
4024 Caruth Boulevard, Dallas, Texas  75225

University Park United Methodist Church
A good crowd of bluegrass fans joined us for an incredible night of bluegrass and bluegrass gospel music by The Surly Gentlemen at the University Park United Methodist Church on Saturday night, May 6. 

The Surly Gentlemen are Clay Hess, Tim Shelton, and Brennan Hess.  Many fans first became familiar with Clay during his tenure as lead guitarist for Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder.  The group won a GRAMMY Award with Clay as guitarist.  After departing Skaggs, Clay toured and recorded with several of the top bands in bluegrass, and eventually released his critically acclaimed solo CD Rain.  The title track went to #1 on the BluegrassToday.com charts, and his song I Know Why has become a bluegrass gospel favorite. 

Acclaimed singer Tim Shelton was a founder and member of NewFound Road for more than a dozen years, during which the group achieved great success.  Today Tim is creating his own new music and breaking out into new musical territory.  Multi-instrumentalist Brennan Hess is Clay’s son and is pursuing his own musical ventures.

Lone Star Fest – April 29, 2017

South Oaks Baptist Church
5925 U. S. Highway 287, Arlington Texas  76017


Lone Star Fest 2017 was held on Saturday, April 29 at South Oaks Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas.  The festival featured performances by 2016 IBMA Vocal Group of the Year Flatt Lonesome, the Purple Hulls, Augusta Road, Bobby Giles & Music Mountain, the Coleman Brothers & Lone Star Boys, Robertson County Line, and the Downtown String Band.  Attendees enjoyed an excellent stage show and a load of jamming all around the South Oaks Baptist Church Activities Building.  Festival participants also attended guitar, mandolin, and banjo workshops.  More photographs are available in our Lone Star Fest photo gallery.  Festival photographs courtesy of Budd Walker, Gerald Jones, and Jim Gerber.

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