By Taylor Boyd
The Patrick County Music Association (PCMA) is preparing to kick off live music this month with a Mandolin Fest on Saturday, February 19.
The event will be held at the Rotary Building in Stuart. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the music begins at 6 p.m.
The show is the first in a series of three that will highlight local talent in a variety of instruments. The cancelled January Fiddle Fest is now set for April.
Denny Alley, president of the PCMA, said a lot of local players and the top players within a 50-mile radius of Patrick County are scheduled to perform at the event, among them are Vince Bullins, Nick Goad, Kyser George, Joey Lemons, Spencer Strickland, Greg Jones, and Ron Inscore.
Alan Bibey & Grasstowne will serve as the featured band and the backup band for the other performers, Alley said.
Bibey, a leader in the bluegrass music tradition, has released over 15 albums solo and with other performers, and also has appeared on more than 10 other albums. In 2001, Bibey won the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Instrumental Recording of the Year and the Recorded Event of the Year awards.
He also was voted the Mandolin Player of the Year in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2018 by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America.
Noting that the January show was cancelled due to the weather and the uptick of COVID-19 cases, Alley said he does not anticipate this show being cancelled.
Admission is a $5 donation at the door. Lawn chairs are encouraged, and masks are preferred. Prizes will be awarded throughout the night.
Concessions will be available for purchase from the Patrick County Shooting Education Team, with proceeds going to teach children in the area firearm safety.
For more information or to watch past music performances, visit Facebook.com/PatrickCountyMusicAssociation.