This Thursday (6/23) will mark the beginning of the 2011 Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman series in downtown Nashville. The shows will run each Thursday evening through July, all of them presenting top bluegrass artists at the venerable “Mother Church” of country music during peak tourist season.
The first show will feature Vince Gill with a crack bluegrass band: Jim Mills on banjo, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, Mike Compton on mandolin, Jeff White on guitar and Mike Bubb on bass.
Each Thursday’s shows will also include free entertainment on the plaza outside the theater.
Here’s the complete lineup:
| June 23 | An Evening with Vince Gill | Plaza: The Howling Brothers |
| June 30 | Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder | Plaza: Freshwater Creek |
| July 7 | Sam Bush with The Josh Williams Band | Plaza: Rigney Family |
| July 14 | Bill Monroe 100th Birthday | Plaza: Todd Grebe and Bearfoot |
| July 21 | Dailey & Vincent with Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers | Plaza: Dana Romanello |
| July 28 | An Evening with Doc Watson | Plaza: Syndi Perry |
The Bill Monroe 100th Birthday show will feature Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Bobby Osborne & the Rocky Top X-Press, and Sierra Hull & Highway 111.
Sam Bush is offering a chance to meet him live and in person at his July 7 show. You can find all the particulars on Facebook.
All shows start at 7:30 p.m. (CDT) with the outdoor performances kicking off at 6:00. Full details and ticketing are available online.
