Bluegrass is returning to the front yard of Residences at Deer Creek Senior Living for the 2nd year featuring Northwest Indiana’s own “Strings Beyond Description” Bluegrass Band, 5 p.m. Friday, July 21. True to Bluegrass form, the Crown Point band consists of six performers and different string instruments: Tony Creech on banjo, Mike Regnier plays mandolin, Allan Evan Wright on guitar, and Buster Francis on Bass.
The band has been hailed as a great balance of acoustic guitar blues and folk with rock—a blend of Bluegrass and “Newgrass” by Bluegrass aficionados. They blend the standards and their original approach in concert. The group plays frequently at area fests including the Griffith Market. They are known for their originality of sound and subject matter which sets them apart from other Bluegrass bands.
Bluegrass Origins—Not As Old As You Think!
It’s an American genre of music but it’s not even reached the 100-year milestone! Bluegrass grew during the 1930s in the rural South. Songs emerged about issues important to everyday people, mostly the poor in Appalachia. The sound grew as a unique influence of blues,” blackfield hollers”, African American psalm singing and the traditional blend of English, Scottish, and Irish string instruments that people had in their families. It was American country musician Bill Monroe who took the genre to great new levels as he introduced his band The Bluegrass Boys, just after World War II. Monroe hailed from “The Bluegrass State” Kentucky. The special grass with the blue cast to its appearance was native to the central part of the state, thus creating the nickname. And thus, Bluegrass music emerged from Monroe’s radio broadcasts at The Grand Old Opry in Nashville.
Bluegrass music is unique. Typically instruments include 5-string banjo, flat-top guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and bass guitar. It’s distinguished from older string band music by an off-beat rhythm, the influence of blues and jazz, and the tight harmonies and high-pitched tenor-led vocals. During the ‘40’s Bluegrass was known as “old-time” mountain or hillbilly boasting high-energy and fast tempo sound. Another unique blend was the combination of sacred and country music.
Bluegrass is alive and thriving today thanks to those who love and support the traditional music of America. There is a system of festivals, concerts and jam sessions, usually organized through various regions in many states, for annual events that may even include campouts. Strings Beyond Description is a great example of the effort to keep Bluegrass growing in our community.