Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Trio of bluegrass bands at Shelton High School
The Union City Council Bluegrass Band is one of the three groups that will perform at the Bluegrass from the Forest Midwinter celebration on Dec. 29 at the Shelton High School Performing Arts Center.
The groups Runaway Train Bluegrass Band, the Union City Council Bluegrass Band and The Rank Strangers perform at the ninth annual Bluegrass from the Forest Midwinter Celebration from
6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 29 in the Shelton High School Performing Arts Center, 3737 N. Shelton Springs Road.
Tickets are $20 and are available at the door and at bluegrassfromtheforest.com. People ages 15 and younger are admitted for free.
Kristmas Town Kiwanis hosts the concert. The group also presents the 19th annual Bluegrass from the Forest festival July 7-9 at the soccer park at the Mason
County Recreation Area off Johns Prairie Road.
Greg Linder is the festival coordinator and a member of two of the bands set to perform Dec. 29.
Founded in 2000, Runaway Train Bluegrass Band features Linder on guitar, Kent Powell on bass, John White on mandolin, Doug Wenzen on banjo and special guest River Scheurell on fiddle. The group is the host band for Bluegrass from the Forest festivals.
The band performances in 2023 include the Darrington Bluegrass Festival, the Winlock Pickersfest and Wintergrass in Bellevue. "We've played more than ever this year," Linder said.
Based in the Union area, Union City Council Bluegrass Band recently formed out of a mutual love of traditional bluegrass. The band features Linder on guitar, Guy Demartino on guitar, Gwendolyn Taylor on fiddle, Donald Strand on dobro and Martin Strand on bass.
The Rank Strangers is named after the song "Rank Stranger" by Ralph Stanley. Linder points out that the old-time phrase means someone who is a complete stranger.
The 18 members of the group play in other bands in the region as well, and the lineup changes, with a quintet performing every Wednesday at the Pig Bar in Olympia. The lineup for the Shelton show is Barb Collins on fiddle, John Pyles on bass, Tye Menser on banjo, Leif Halverson on guitar and Larry Gilliam on mandolin
"They're a pretty talented group," Linder said.
As for the Performing Arts Center as a venue, "I'd give it an A-plus," Linder said. "It's amazing. It's built for sound." His son, Jackson Linder, is in charge of the concert's sound.
IF YOU GO
WHO: Kristmas Town Kiwanis
WHAT: Ninth annual Bluegrass from the Forest Midwinter Celebration
WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Dec. 29
WHERE: Shelton High School Performing Arts Center
ADMISSION: $20; kids 15 and younger free
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