3-day Bluegrass festival in Springfield begins Friday
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Familiar musicians return to Springfield for the 25th annual Greater Downstate Indoor Bluegrass Music Festival this weekend at the Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway.
Several bands that have performed at previous festivals - including Rhonda Vincent and Rage, the Dry Branch Fire Squad and Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper - are scheduled to play during the three-day event.
Vincent is best known for her bluegrass songs that found airplay on country music radio stations: "You Can't Take It With You When You Go" and "I've Forgotten You." Her 2010 album, "Taken," reached No. 1 on Billboard's bluegrass albums chart.
This year's lineup also includes acts that earned nominations and awards at the 2011 International Bluegrass Music Association awards:
The Boxcars won Instrumental Group of the Year honors, and were nominated for Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year for "In God's Hands," and for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year for "Jumpin' the Track."
"Goin' Up Dry Branch" earned Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper the Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year award at the IBMA awards. Cleveland won Fiddle Player of the Year.
Dailey and Vincent were nominated for Entertainer of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year.
The event also includes a guitar show, a bass workshop by Mike Bub on Friday, and a talent showcase with a $50 prize at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Music schedule
FRIDAY
Daytime show
2:30 p.m.: The Link Family
3:15 p.m.: Donna Ulisse and the Poor Mountain Boys4 p.m.: Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper
Evening show
7 p.m.: The Link Family
7:45 p.m.: Donna Ulisse and the Poor Mountain Boys
8:35 p.m.: Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper
9:20 p.m.: Dailey and Vincent
SATURDAY
Daytime show
10:30 a.m.: Talent Showcase and Open Stage
1 p.m.: Balsam Range
1:55 p.m.: Rhonda Vincent and Rage
2:55 p.m.: The Boxcars
3:50 p.m.: Dry Branch Fire Squad
Evening show
7 p.m.: The Harmans
7:45 p.m.: Balsam Range
8:30 p.m.: Rhonda Vincent and Rage
9:20 p.m.: The Boxcars
10:05 p.m.: Dry Branch Fire Squad
SUNDAY
10 a.m.: The Harmans
10:45 a.m.: Dry Branch Fire Squad
Admission prices:
+ Friday: $25
+ Saturday all day: $30
+ Saturday morning talent show: $5
+ Saturday evening only: $25
+ Sunday: $10
+ Weekend pass: $55 (general admission), $60 (reserved seats)
Tickets are half price for ages 6-17.
For more information, call 243-3159, visit www.bluegrassmidwest.com or email info@bluegrassmidwest.com