The Marshall All-Star Band at the 2026 Marshall Bluegrass Festival – photo © Bill Warren
The 29th Marshall Bluegrass Festival has come to a close. There was a full week of activity for everyone. Jeremie Cole and Alexus Ross can be very pleased with this year’s festival.
Jeremie announced the formation of the Bluegrass for Communities Foundation and its structure as a 501c3 non-profit organization. The stated purpose is to help needy families in the community. The goal this year was to raise $8,500 for a family that will be going through a major medical situation. Jeremie was able to announce on Saturday night that the goal had been met. He also announced that, as the Foundation organization is fleshed out, the festival name will change to reflect these changes. Please follow the current social media pages for updates.
Dale Perry and Donnie Carver were the sound team. There aren’t any pictures of the MC. He – being me – couldn’t be on both sides of the camera! 😊
Friday saw six bands cross the festival stage. Forked Run is a Michigan Band founded by John Coffey. Three generations of the family are part of the band.
Charla Freeland made her second trip from Arkansas. She is a talented youngster that sings along with her mother and father. She announced that she is now a full-time entertainer at Silver Dollar City.
Caleb Daugherty performed with his original band members joining him. He first played Marshall as a teenager in the New Outlook Band.
Kevin Prater is always a favorite at the festival. Dalton Smith is playing his final few shows with the band. He has taken a full-time entertainment gig in Pigeon Forge.
The David Mayfield Parade hits the stage at a hundred miles an hour and accelerates from there. David puts an audience on its feet and keeps them there!
Edgar Loudermilk closed out Friday as only he can.
Saturday is always special at Marshall. The day starts with a band scramble. Jennifer Strickland Zapolnik organized it again this year. She was able to get six bands put together. They have about 45 minutes to put three songs together. The winner was determined by a decibel meter reading from a smart phone!! All six groups put forth darn good music.
Jermie and Alexus always award a “Bluegrass Person of the Year” on Saturday. This year’s person was three very hard-working gals – the “Gate Ladies,” who manned the gate from the Friday prior to the festival through the whole week. Congratulations ladies!
Jonny Estep and Lonesome Blend come out of the Cincinnati area. Jonny is unique in that he has put out an album where he wrote all the songs, sang all the parts, and played all the instruments.
Riley Gilbreath and Lone Star Blue is a young band from Texas. Riley is 20 years old. Chad Day, banjo player for Deeper Shade of Blue, was listening to the band. He said, “I think bluegrass is in good hands.” That tells the tale!
Junior Sisk is preparing his farewell tour. He has decided to retire in late 2027. That means he won’t be traveling the road, but will still do some things in the music community. Each October will find Junior in the deer woods!
Deeper Shade of Blue made the trek from Noth Carolina to entertain the Marshall audience. They did a special favor for this old picture taker. They sang to my wife as we celebrate our 57th wedding anniversary.
The Chris Davis Band is getting its “sea-legs” with a number of shows under their belt. Chris tells me he has shows booked into 2028.
The festival closes with the Marshall All-Star Band. Bo Isaac anchors the band along with Kevin Prater and Steve Thomas. They were joined by Caleb Daugherty, Nate Stevens, Riley Gilbreath, Jeremie Cole, and Junior Sisk. Bo broke a guitar string early in the show. Always the entertainer, he bounced into the crowd and took my wife for a spin around the dance floor while the string was being replaced. The finale had the crowd on their feet in front of the stage demanding several encores!
Again watch the Marshall Bluegrass Festival media for updates.
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