Hot Rize, one of the most influential bands in any genre to come out of Colorado, is kicking off their 40th anniversary with a celebration at the Boulder Theater, and they’re inviting some of their friends to come along.
In 1978, when Pete Wernick, Tim O’Brien, Nick Forster and Charles Sawtelle started playing music together, they discovered a rare chemistry that allowed them to literally take bluegrass music in a new direction, one that showcased their collective talents as instrumentalists, songwriters, and innovators. They all respected the tradition and were students and fans of artists like Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs and the Stanley Brothers, but their musical tastes covered a lot more ground as well. They started out in the bars and clubs, but shortly after they got together, they played on Prairie Home Companion, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and the Grand Ol Opry. The world was ready for their brand of bluegrass.
Their original songs are part of the bluegrass cannon, their showmanship earned them the first-ever Entertainer of the year award from the IBMA, and their “partnership” with Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers is the stuff of legend. There is no other band like Hot Rize, and the Colorado bands that followed in their wake all cite Hot Rize as a major influence.
After Charles Sawtelle died of leukemia, the band brought on legendary North Carolina flat picker, Bryan Sutton. For more than 15 years, Bryan has been a member of this remarkable group of all-stars, and is featured on their latest release, When I’m Free.
Don’t miss this rare chance to celebrate the incredible musical legacy of one of Colorado’s most revered bands. They’ll be joined by a few of their friends, including Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Del McCoury and more to be announced soon. Warm up your winter with two amazingly hot nights at the Boulder Theater with Hot Rize.
HOT RIZE – 40TH ANNIVERSARY BASH
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS DEL MCCOURY, SAM BUSH, STUART DUNCAN, JERRY DOUGLAS AND MORE
Friday, January 12, and Saturday, January 13, 2018
