Claire Lynch

There will be some beautiful voices at Langley High School on April 16th when the D.C. Bluegrass Union puts on their annual festival. Claire Lynch sings with warmth and depth. It’s the kind of bluegrass with a broad appeal. Her songs could be contemporary country hits, if the country music industry supported music that is honest and soulful half as much as it pretends to. She’ll be backed by an excellent group of progressive musicians including guitarist Matt Wingate, bassist Mark Schatz, and mandolin/fiddle player Jason Thomas. Along with being stellar instrumentalists, those guys will also add harmony vocals.

It’s the harmonies that make the music of co-headliners the Gibson Brothers worth seeking out. There’s something special about brother harmonies and Eric and Leigh Gibson brothers can be placed in line with the Stanleys, Everlys, and Louvins. Their recent album Help My Brother is loaded with solid original songs that embrace the bluegrass tradition without being bounded by it. Talk to Me is a folkish ballad that features Claire Lynch, so that collaboration should be a highlight at the festival.

Family harmonies are something of a loose theme this year. Along with the Gibsons, Gold Heart features three singing sisters. Robin and Linda Williams are a husband and wife team with harmonies at the center of their sound. The festival also features guitarist Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa, a local band in the great tradition of The County Gentlemen and the Seldom Scene. Chester River Runoff will open the show.

There’s been a great bluegrass scene around D.C. since shortly after Bill Monroe invented the stuff. It’s  nice to see it recognized in the form of a festival. Singer Hazel Dickens, who’s been around that scene for 50 years or so, will be recognized this year with the Washington Monument Award. The folks at DCBU seem to be on the right track with their 2nd annual festival, let’s hope it continues to grow.