Bill Monroe Festivals Preview
~ by Boris Ladwig
Bill Monroe’ s Music Park and Campground will host local and national stars this spring as two popular multiday festivals make their return for 2024.
The Third Annual Americana Bean Jamboree, from May 30 to June 1, will include headliner Jordan Rainer, from Nashville, Tennessee, a finalist of last season’ s The Voice. Rainer competed on the team of country music superstar Reba McEntire.
Grammy nominee and International Bluegrass Music Association award winner Tina Adair and her band will close out Friday night’ s show, while Rainer will headline Saturday.
Other artists who will play on the main stage during the jamboree include Liam Purcell and Cane Mill Road, the Bibelhauser Brothers, and the Darren Nicholson Band. Brown County musician Will Scott, who created the Hill Folk Music Series, will host an open stage jam Thursday.
Scott also booked artists for the Hippy Hill stage performances. Talent this year is coming from Louisville, Indianapolis, and east Tennessee, as well as this area. The lineup includes Tyrone Cotton, Dietrich Gosser, Kara Cole, Benjamin Fuson & Father Kentucky, Steve Plessinger & Joe Bolinger, Feathered Mason, and Katherine Nagy Trio.
Single-day tickets cost $ 17 for 7 to 10 p. m. Thursday, $ 50 for Friday and $ 55 for Saturday. Gates open at 10 a. m. on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available on the website. Guests also can rent golf carts to get around on the 55- acre property, which Bill Monroe, the“ father of Bluegrass” bought in 1951.
The 59 th Annual Bill Monroe Bluegrass Festival this year will feature first-timers as well as artists who have never played the festival before or are returning after a long hiatus, said Melanie Wilson, publicist for the park and music events.
The lineup for the bluegrass festival, from June 12 to 15, includes Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out as well as Grand Ole Opry stars Darin &
2023 June Bluegrass Festival. photo by Cindy Steele
50 Our Brown County • May / June 2024