Appalachia in the Bluegrass: Dave Hurt portraying Grandpa Jones
Friday, September 01; 12:00 PM
Niles Gallery, Lucille Little Fine Arts Library
Free and open to the public

This year's Friday Noon series of great music in an intimate setting begins with Dave Hurt, who portrays Grand Ole Opry and Hee-Haw star Kentuckian Grandpa Jones as part of the Kentucky Chataqua Program of the Kentucky Humanities Council.

Appalachia in the Bluegrass: The Red State Ramblers
Friday, September 08; 12:00 PM
Niles Gallery, Lucille Little Fine Arts Library
Free and open to the public

UK's own old time string band presents songs and fiddle tunes from the Kentucky mountains. They will also accompany a cakewalk and a squaredance.

Appalachia in the Bluegrass: Ray Slone
Friday, September 15; 12:00 PM
Niles Gallery, Lucille Little Fine Arts Library
Free and open to the public

Noted multi-instrumentalist from Hindman, Kentucky, accompanied by his daughter Marcia Thompson. Ray is a splendid musician, craftsman, and a master teacher who has passed his ol time songs and tunes on to generations of east Kentuckians.

Appalachia in the Bluegrass: Lee Sexton and Rich Kirby
Friday, September 22; 12:00 PM
Niles Gallery, Lucille Little Fine Arts Library
Free and open to the public

Lee is a master banjo player from Line Fork, Kentucky. Lee is a traditional singer, fiddler, and banjo player long associated with Appalshop.

Appalachia in the Bluegrass: Reel World String Band
Friday, September 29; 12:00 PM
Niles Gallery, Lucille Little Fine Arts Library
Free and open to the public

Monumentally influenced by traditional and old-time music with a touch of country, swing, blues, and jazz, Reel World's soulful songwriting and instrumental virtuosity make for American roots music with a rare fire and authenticity.

Appalachia in the Bluegrass: Sparky and Rhonda Rucker
Friday, October 20; 12:00 PM
Niles Gallery, Lucille Little Fine Arts Library
Free and open to the public

Sparky and Rhonda present "Follow the Drinking Gourd," an Affrilachian perspective on the slave songs and lore of the Civil War.

Appalachia in the Bluegrass: Plum Creek String Band
Friday, October 27; 12:00 PM
Niles Gallery, Lucille Little Fine Arts Library
Free and open to the public

The band from Oberlin, Ohio, plays post-modern, Appalachian-Jamaican groove music: West Virginia meets West Jamaica and goes out dancing. Firey fiddle tunes to reggae ballads.

Appalachia in the Bluegrass: Phil Jamison, Asheville, North Carolina
Friday, November 3; 12:00 PM
Niles Gallery, Lucille Little Fine Arts Library
Free and open to the public

Phil is a member of the New Southern Ramblers and the foremost authority on traditional mountain dance.

Appalachia in the Bluegrass: Don Pedi, dulcimer
Friday, November 10; 12:00 PM
Niles Gallery, Lucille Little Fine Arts Library
Free and open to the public

Don Pedi is a virtuoso dulcimer player from Marshall, North Carolina, with a huge repertory of old time fiddle tunes. Don is also an artist and T'ai Chi master.

Appalachia in the Bluegrass: Michael Johnathon
Friday, November 17; 12:00 PM
Niles Gallery, Lucille Little Fine Arts Library
Free and open to the public

Michael Johnathon is a folksinger, author, songwriter, and host of the Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour, which is heard throughout the world.

Appalachia in the Bluegrass: The Red State Ramblers
Friday, December 1; 12:00 PM
Niles Gallery, Lucille Little Fine Arts Library
Free and open to the public

The University of Kentucky’s old time string band will be "Breakin' Up Christmas" in the final concert of the Appalachia in the Bluegrass Series.