Blue Moon Rising, who had earned the reputation of the best kept secret in bluegrass for many years, is planning a set of reunion shows with original members in the latter part of 2014.
Headed now by guitarist Chris West, and touring with new members, Blue Moon Rising released a pair of critically-acclaimed albums with Keith Garrett (now of The Boxcars), Justin Jenkins (now with Grasstowne), Tim Tipton, and Randall Massengill. These four, and West, along with current BMR reso-guitarist Brandon Bostic, will be performing at the National Muscadine Festival on September 28 in Sweetwater, TN, and at the Bismarck State College in Bismarck, North Dakota for the 10th Annual Blizzard Bluegrass Weekend January 2-3, 2015.
Blizzard Bluegrass promoter, Jill Wiese, of North Dakota’s Cotton Wood, explained that they wouldn’t even have started this popular event if it wasn’t for BMR.
“Ten years ago, I got a phone call from Tim Tipton asking if Blue Moon Rising could play somewhere in around the Bismarck area in the winter time. I had never put on an event before, so I called Bismarck State College and the rest is history. We are thrilled beyond belief the BMR band is coming back. These guys played the first three years of this winter event and since then, we have had Special Consensus, The Chapmans, Brand New Strings, The ETSU College of Bluegrass Band, and The Wood Picks. We are going to sell this one out for sure….blizzard or no blizzard.”
Additional dates for the reunion show are being booked now, working around the schedules of the various bands involved. That includes the 2014 edition of Blue Moon Rising, which includes David Mowell on mandolin, Rusty Ferrell on banjo, and Travis Anderson on bass in addition to West and Bostic.
More details about these, and whatever additional reunion dates that may be added, will be posted on their web site.
