Bluegrass and American Roots Festival

The Department of Music presents its annual Bluegrass and American Roots Festival featuring Grammy Award winner Peter Rowan with Appalachian Swing and The McLain Family band in concert. Please see below for a full schedule of events. Denison’s Bluegrass and American Roots Ensemble will open each concert with a short set. Tickets required where indicated.

For ticketing questions, please contact the box office at 740-587-6544. The box office will be closed December 12 through January 9th.

Friday February 17 at 7 p.m. in Swasey Chapel:

Muleskinner Tribute featuring Peter Rowan with Appalachian Swing {Adam Schlenker, Hayes Griffin, Todd Sams, George Welling, Chase Potter}.

This concert will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Muleskinner Live which originally aired on February 13th 1973. This concert featured an all-star lineup of young and innovative Bluegrass/Acoustic musicians and represents the beginning of a new era by introducing a new level of musicianship, innovation and songwriting to Bluegrass and acoustic music. Tickets are required for this event.

Grammy-award winner and member of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Peter Rowan is a singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades. From his early years playing under the tutelage of Bluegrass veteran Bill Monroe, to his time in Old & In the Way and his breakout as a solo musician and bandleader, Rowan has built a devoted, international fan base through a solid stream of recordings, collaborative projects, and constant touring.

Appalachian Swing is a bluegrass quartet inspired by the music of The Kentucky Colonels. Featuring Adam Schlenker on guitar, Hayes Griffin on mandolin, Todd Sams banjo, George Welling bass and Chase Potter on fiddle.

Saturday, February 18, from 12-3 p.m. in the Denison Museum in The Eisner Center:

Workshops with The McLain Family Band. Workshops will start at noon with a Band Mixer in the Denison Museum. Each of the band members along with Denison’s American Roots faculty will form pop up bands with students and community members. Each band will rehearse for 30 minutes to work up a short set of music and then return to the museum to perform for each other. Tickets are not required for this event.

Saturday, February 18, at 7 p.m. in Swasey Chapel:

The McLain Family Band in concert. Direct from the hills of Kentucky, The McLain Family Band has become internationally known as one of the most spontaneous, creative and spirited groups performing contemporary Appalachian Bluegrass music. Since 1968, they have performed in all 50 states – and 64 countries during 15 international concert tours, some as musical ambassadors of the U.S. Department of State. The McLain Family Band has consisted, through the years, of various combinations of family members. The core touring band includes: Raymond McLain, Ruth McLain, Alice and Al White and Daxson Lewis, with occasional guest appearances from Nancy Ann Wartman and Michael & Jennifer McLain. Tickets are required for this event.