Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys at Big Bass Bluegrass & BBQ – photo © Bill Warren
Another big weekend of Florida bluegrass is in the books.
It started Thursday evening at the Krazy Kup in Plant City. The Kup is an intimate listening room that hosts bluegrass bands and bluegrass jams.
Thursday’s entertainment was Mountain Highway. They are originally from Virginia but now call Pigeon Forge, TN home. They are beginning their tenth year. They are a family band with Dad, Joe Glover, and daughters Emily and Victoria. The girls are 21 and 24, so they were just youngsters when the band started. Joe tells the story of how the band got started. The kids wanted to learn to play. Joe told them he would learn how to play bass if they learned their instruments. Ten years later Joe is thumping that bass and driving the bus all over the country. I have proof from ten years ago. Victoria told me the pictures are better left in the archives!! 😉
Friday and Saturday was what just about everyone in Inverness, FL refers to as “Big Bass.” This is a free show put on by the city of Inverness, M&B Dairy (by way of Cool Cow Milk and Dale McClellan), and several other sponsors. The festival showcases both Florida and national talent. CJ McClellan and Danny Stewart shared the MC duties. Jackson Bethune Sound did a fine job.
First up were the Sunshine Bluegrass Girls. These youngsters made their very first stage appearance last year at Big Bass. They range in age from 9 to 16 years of age. Last year their mentor was on stage with them, but this year they presented two shows without an adult on stage. These young ladies are doing well. Bluegrass music is in good hands in Florida.
The Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters, fresh from an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, hit the stage wide open. They have really developed their stage presence. The older sisters, Akulina and Salima, kibbutz back and forth lending some humor to the show.
Ayres of Promise is a family gospel group from Zephyrhills. The group is Mom, Sarah, and daughters Elizabeth (13) and Grace (5). Elizabeth is a talented multi-instrumentalist. She plays fiddle, mandolin, guitar, piano, ukulele, and uke bass! Grace lights up the stage with her smile and vocal abilities.
Both Friday night and Saturday brought Mountain Highway, Fast Track, The Little Roy & Lizzy Show, Monroeville, and Ralph Stanley II & the Clinch Mountain Boys to the stage. There were, as expected, some Little Roy shenanigans.
Monroeville is playing on the road due to a fire at Skyland Ranch in Sevierville, TN. Fire consumed the stage area of the ranch on February 13. They have several gigs booked already and are looking for more.
Saturday saw four more Florida bands. Southern Express is a long time favorite in Florida circles. Mandolin player, Dan Smith, is celebrating 50 years as a professional musician. The band showcases the songwriting of Keith Tew.
Morgan Brake is one of the up-and-coming youngsters in Florida. She is becoming recognized in a wide area. This is a young band to see.
Remedy Tree has traveled the world in the past year. They are currently Florida’s best-known band. Their music is played regularly on Sirius/XM.
Rekindled Bits of Grass, headed by CJ McClellan, is well known across Florida. CJ is the promoter of Big Bass through Coach Mac Productions.
CJ joined Ralph II and sang A Robin Built a Nest on Daddy’s Grave to close the show.
Cool Cow Milk, ice cream, and BBQ were available both days. Nobody went hungry!
Big Bass, Bluegrass & BBQ is growing by leaps and bounds. Put it on your calendar for the second weekend in March. Inverness will welcome you!
Support your local music venues.
