Sweet Grass Festival

The Second Annual Sweet Grass Music Festival will be held on May 2-3, 2014 in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., at Patriots Point on the Charleston Harbor.

Join us for an awesome weekend of bluegrass music and fun for the whole family.

The fun begins at 4:30 p.m., on Friday, May 2 with world class bluegrass musicians Common Ground, Barefoot Movement, Grasstowne and the Lonesome River Band performing until 10:30 p.m. that night!

We have an amazing line-up of artists scheduled for Saturday, May 3, beginning at 11 a.m., including local band Common Ground, the Grass Cats, Flatt Lonesome, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out and Nothin Fancy. All bands will perform an early set of music, followed by a second set later in the day. Nine hours of award-winning music will be featured until 9 p.m.

This year's lineup is nothing short of spectacular.

The Lonesome River Band just celebrated its 30th anniversary and features longtime band member and five-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Banjo Player of the Year Sammy Shelor (1995, 1996 (tie), 1997, 1998, 2012).

Five-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Male Vocalist of the Year Russell Moore (1994, 1997, 2010, 2011, 2012) is truly at the top of his game. Fronting one of the most popular bands in bluegrass history; Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out is celebrating 20 years as one of the genres most awarded and influential groups in modern day bluegrass. All in all, the band has garnered over 50 industry accolades since their inception in 1991 including being named the IBMA’s Vocal Group of the Year seven consecutive years (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000.)

Johnson City, Tennessee's The Barefoot Movement have been making waves in the folk world since the release of their 2011 debut album Footwork. 2013 brought the release of a new album, cross country touring, and all manners of shoeless excitement.

Grasstowne is a band comprised of a very well respected veteran of bluegrass music as well as four of the finest young musicians in bluegrass today. This combination together is one of the hottest and energetic bands touring today.

Songwriter and mandolin player Russell Johnson started The Grass Cats with original members Tim Woodall (bass) and Chris Hill (fiddle) in 1997. Russell’s soaring tenor compliments Tim’s richly textured lead local and Chris adds the third part harmony that is such a big part of the Cats’ vocal arsenal. Rick Lafleur on banjo and Alan Mullen on guitar provide the drive.

Flatt Lonesome is a young, new group of pickers fresh to the scene. While deeply-rooted in bluegrass music’s historic classics, they also have an energetic flair for country sounds, progressive jams, and soul-stirring gospel music while never forsaking their traditional essence. If you love high lonesome harmony, soaring sibling vocals and powerful bluegrass music, then you will love Flatt Lonesome!

Nothin’ Fancy formed as a bluegrass band in September 1994 to compete in the East Coast Bluegrass Championship in Crimora, Va. Since their auspicious debut, they have grown in popularity, released eight full length albums and one CD single, played the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the Lincoln Center in New York City, the Birchmere in Alexandria, Va., have hosted their own festival in Buena Vista, Va., since 2001, and won SPBGMA’s “Entertaining Group of the Year” three consecutive years (2008, 2009, 2010) in a row.

Common Ground is a fine bluegrass band from Charleston, S.C. Their new CD is entitled “Those Memories.” The band is made up of Laura Macon, Tracy Jackson, Melvin Cumbee, Debbie Kimzey, and Bob Meeham. Melvin Cumbee is the banjo player, booking manager, and merchandise distributor extraordinare.

The event promises to offer lots to eat and do for the whole family. It will surely be a fun weekend of bluegrass music you won't want to miss!

Friday tickets are $25 a piece, while Saturday tickets are $35 each. There is a special combo package for $50 which is good for both days of the festival. The first 50 people to purchase combo tickets will receive a voucher for a free T-shirt! Children under 12 will be admitted for free.

The festival will be held rain or shine. In the event of rain, the festival will be held under the big tent. Bring a chair. No recliner-types please.

No coolers. No pets.

For more information, please call 843-452-5131, e-mail info@sweetgrassmusicfestival.com, or visit www.sweetgrassmusicfestival.com.

We hope to see you there!