The inaugural, three-day Bluegrass festival dubbed CROWE FEST is set for August 25, 26 and 27. The event celebrates the legendary banjo picker and Grammy Award-winner J.D. Crowe, whose fearless bending of the genre introduced new listeners to Bluegrass. The Fest will be held at Meadowgreen Appalachian Music Park in Clay City, Kentucky - just 40 miles from Crowe’s Lexington birthplace. Bluegrassers performing include Doyle Lawson, Moe Pitney, Sideline, Paul Williams, along with special shows by New South Reunion, hosted by Rickey Wasson. Additionally, Authentic Unlimited, Junior Sisk, Terry Baucom's Dukes of Drive, Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys and others, will perform. Complete details can be found at www.CroweFest.net or by calling 904-545-3079 or, for camping information, 606-945-5999.
Crowe was among the first to fuse Rock, Folk, and R&B to the Bluegrass sound and he is revered for his creativity, his tone and flawless meter. Grammy Award-winning guitarist Billy Strings called J.D. an “absolute legend” and notes, “He was just the best Bluegrass banjo player out there.” After J.D.’s passing, banjoist Bela Fleck stated, “We lost one of the greatest banjo players ever to pick up the five.”
On August 25, 26 and 27, the spirit of J.D. Crowe will live on as Bluegrass lovers gather in Clay City. CROWE FEST organizers Ernie Evans, Rickey Wasson (friend and long-time guitarist/lead singer for J.D. Crowe & the New South) and Tim Dillman, promise a good time and great music. “Join us as we celebrate the best of today’s Bluegrass and honor our friend J.D.,” says Evans. “It should be an exciting three days.”
