At Southern Adventist University's upcoming Music of Bill Monroe event, local bluegrass lovers will get three shows in one as the Travelin' McCourys partner with Peter Rowan and Tony Rice for a tribute program Oct. 25.
Being the sons of bluegrass legend Del McCoury, the Travelin' McCourys, which features members Rob McCoury on banjo and Ronnie McCoury on mandolin, have a claim to fame unlike other bluegrass bands. The group has performed with the Allman Brothers, the Lee Boys, Warren Haynes and Phish.
"I don't think there's been a more significant event of this type of performance since Allison Krauss performed here a few years ago," said SAU Vice President for Student Services William Wohlers.
These three artists will take the stage in the Iles P.E. Center on the SAU campus at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 per adult or $20 for families and can be purchased ahead of time by calling 236-2814 or at the door.
A single-parent or nuclear family with children qualify for the family ticket, but there is no limit to the number of children included in a family ticket.
According to Wohlers, Bill Monroe is considered by many to be the father of bluegrass and this event is a celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth in Rosine, Ky.
"As I understand it, he developed the kind of music that came to be known as bluegrass," he said.
Wohlers, who heard the Travelin' McCourys at an arts festival, said he invited them to SAU because of how impressed he was by their style and found out they were traveling with Peter Rowan and Tony Rice this fall in celebration of Bill Monroe's 100th anniversary.
"I like the fact that it's being done around a significant historical event," said Wohlers. "The additional artists are going to make it a signature event."
For more information, call SAU at 236-2814.