This is a contribution from Sharon Smith. It was originally posted in The B.
The Grascals will be joining country artists like Trisha Yearwood, Joe Nichols, Lee Ann Womack, Raul Malo, taking part in the upcoming Broadway Meets Country show on October 30, 2006, at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. (TPAC)
The Grascals are the first bluegrass act to take part in the show, which features country artists peforming Broadway tunes and Broadway performers performing country songs. This is huge.
This isn’t the first time bluegrass has bumped into Broadway though. Back in 1996, the Nashville Bluegrass Band recorded with Bernadette Peters on I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight.
Who would’ve ever thought the Grascals would share a bill with the legendary Ben Vereen and Tony nominated actor Peter Gallagher (known for his role on The O.C. as well as a ton of other movie roles.)
The Grascals will be performing River In The Rain from the Tony award winning and Roger Miller penned musical Big River.
Personally, I don’t think that’s a big stretch for the Grascals to do a Roger Miller song. They already perform one or two of his songs in their show.
I think it would’ve been fun to see them do say There’s No Business Like Show Business, from Annie Get Your Gun, Luck Be A Lady, from Guys and Dolls or even The Rain In Spain from My Fair Lady. Picture, if you will, a bluegrass version of Seventy Six Trombones or Terry Eldredge belting out a heartfelt version of What I Did For Love… That’s just me though. Oddly enough, none of the Grascals asked my opinion on the matter and I’m sure River In The Rain will be great. It’s a beautiful song and it’s sure to be a memorable night of music.
I’ll give a full report on Wednesday.
