“All the best in the world of grass and roots." - SPIN Magazine Online
COCKEYSVILLE, MD (June 26, 2002) -- Continuing to build on the already vastly popular concept, WALTHER'S GRASSROOTS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL introduces its third edition this summer by gathering many highly revered acts on the grassroots touring circuit.
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Keller Williams, John Scofield and Charlie Hunter lead a stellar seven-band lineup Saturday, Aug. 10 at Oregon Ridge Park, 13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, MD, whose program will be rounded out this year by Virginia Coalition and Mofro. Tickets are on sale now for WALTHER'S 3rd ANNUAL GRASSROOTS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL, a signature event from one of the nation's leading grassroots concert promoters. Tickets are $38 in advance until Friday, Aug. 9 at 3 p.m.; $45 at the gate and available through Walthertix at www.walthertix.musictoday.com and (800) 594-TIXX (8499) phone charge., and at any of our 30 East Coast “low service charge" outlets. Parking is $5 per vehicle and FREE for those with four or more passengers. Children 12 and under admitted FREE with accompanying adult. For further details, call the Home Grown Music Network's Buzz A Band Hotline at (919) 563-4936 or check the WALTHER'S GRASSROOTS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL website at www.walther-productions.com.
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, a featured act at the inaugural festival in 2000, returns for an encore to headline the 10-hour celebration of music, food, microbrews, arts and crafts. WALTHER'S 3rd ANNUAL GRASSROOTS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL epitomizes the foundation upon which Walther Productions continues to fortify its reputation as a dominant presence on the East Coast festival scene as well as a top promoter along the Baltimore-Washington corridor. The first installment drew a sold-out crowd of more than 5,000 people and a swarm of media attention to the natural amphitheater at Oregon Ridge Park for an exceptionally peaceful day of vibrant roots music. Last year's event -- with Medeski, Martin & Wood, Galactic, The Word and others -- kept thousands of people dancing, even through a daylong downpour at Oregon Ridge.
To celebrate its role in the ongoing growth of the grassroots scene, Walther Productions is not only “bringing it home" again for a third time to Oregon Ridge Park, but expanding the lineup for the second straight year by adding one more act from the previous year. All acts at WALTHER'S 3rd ANNUAL GRASSROOTS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL are spirited live performers who take existing forms of musical expression and apply exciting and innovative new twists while building and maintaining their followings the old-fashioned way -- with a grassroots approach built on fan outreach through touring. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, already well renowned musicians when they arrived at the 2000 event, have raised their national profile considerably with continued crossover appeal. While the rest of the bill is comprised of newcomers to this festival, all acts are a must-see live attraction on the grassroots circuit. Music lovers will recognize Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Keller Williams, John Scofield, and Charlie Hunter as among the hottest acts on the jamband circuit.
Five-time Grammy-winning banjo phenomenon Bela Fleck has grown from an outstanding bluegrass player into a probing, daring musician who has reinvented the parameters of his instrument. The Flecktones are an incendiary presence on stage quoted as “one hell of a show" by the Village Voice -- that possesses an interplay and skill honed by an ensemble famed for routinely playing over 200 concerts a year. The backbone of Bela's incredible band, the Flecktones, is certified monster bass player Victor Wooten, an extremely well-regarded solo artist on his own who has just been added to Walther Productions' fifth and final festival of 2002, Summer of Love ... 35 Years Later, being staged over Labor Day Weekend.
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe is led by the sax-blaring co-founder of the Greyboy Allstars. On a constantly busy touring schedule, Denson sells out such sizable theaters as San Francisco's Warfield and Denver's Fillmore. Expect to hear material from his highly anticipated new album, set for release later this year and featuring hip-hop activist and poet Saul Williams, Fred Wesley, Roy Hargrove, Chris Wood, and Lonnie Smith, among others.
The unique acoustic 10-string guitar and undeniable rhythmic mystique of Keller Williams draws frequent comparisons to Michael Hedges and Leo Kottke. Following a fabulous set at this year's All Good Music Festival & Campout, Keller brings his breathtaking one-man show to the Grassroots Festival in support of his wildly acclaimed studio album, Laugh. The album eloquently combines Williams' playful spirit and musical mastery: a giant step in the musical evolution of this stellar singer/songwriter.
The peerless groove-and-jam jazz guitar of John Scofield makes for a rare artist who can play seemingly any style of music with true fluency, virtuosity and sincerity. The Miles Davis Band alumnus proves it once again on his new Verve release,
For more information contact All About Jazz.
