10th Annual Ocean Lakes Bluegrass Weekend – August 22 & 23, 2008!
Featuring Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Cherry Holmes Family, The Bluegrass Strangers, Bluegrass Brothers, Kenny & Amanda Smith and more!

2008 Tickets and Reservations…
Wristbands include two outstanding days of bluegrass bands! The concert will begin on Friday at 4 PM until 10 PM, and again on Saturday from 2 PM until 9 PM. It is held in the air-conditioned Recreation Building, and will feature several premier bands (see below). Wristbands are $35 for both days in addition to your site fee ($15 for children 6-12, under 6 are free). Many guests make reservations for Thursday, August 21st, 2008 (to participate in the fun) and depart on Sunday, August 24th, 2008.

Call Ocean Lakes, for campsite reservations dial toll free, 1-877-510-1413, for rental reservations dial 1-800-845-2229. This show is exclusively for Ocean Lakes’ guests (campers, renters and Annual Lease holders) – there are no wristbands for the general public. Seating is limited. When you call to make your reservation, let us know you are coming to hear bluegrass and we’ll take care of the rest!

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2008 Band Schedule
Friday, August 22, 2008 (Concert is 4 PM – 10 PM)
9:00 AM Mini-Golf Tournament
1:00 PM Golf Car Poker Run
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Carolina Rebels
4:45 PM – 5:30 PM Bluegrass Strangers
5:30 PM – 6:15 PM Grasstowne
6:15 PM – 7:00 PM Cherryholmes
7:00 PM – 7:45 PM Carolina Rebels
8:30 PM – 9:15 PM Grasstowne
9:15 PM – 10:00 PM Cherryholmes
   
Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 – (Concert is 2 PM – 9 PM) 
11:30 PM  Golf Car Poker Run
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM  Bluegrass Brothers
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM  Bluegrass Strangers
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM  Kenny & Amanda Smith Band
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM  Bluegrass Brothers
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM  Dinner Break
6:00 PM – 6:45 PM  Bluegrass Strangers
6:45 PM – 7:30 PM  Kenny & Amanda Smith Band
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM  Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

The Bands

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

He may be a legend, but while Doyle Lawson takes pride in a career that’s stood at the center of bluegrass and bluegrass gospel for the past 40 years, he’s hardly resting on his laurels. Look at his schedule and the point is unmistakable – at the same time he’s garnering new acclaim for his historic contributions, he’s plowing new ground alongside artists half his age. In September, 2006, for instance, Lawson and his band, Quicksilver, took their first-ever trip to Ireland to headline before a record-breaking crowd at Omagh’s gigantic Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival, after which they headed for Washington, DC, where Lawson received the National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship, the Endowment’s highest honor granted to traditional and folk artists for career accomplishments. At the end of the month, the group appeared at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual awards show, where they picked up two trophies, including their sixth consecutive Vocal Group of the Year and record-setting fifth Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year titles, as well as a share in the Album of the Year award for the multi-artist Celebration Of Life. Then, just weeks later, as he resumed his hectic tour schedule, a lengthy overview and appreciation of his career appeared in the Country Music Foundation’s prestigious Journal of Country Music, followed in turn by yet another of his many appearances on the popular A Prairie Home Companion, this one on its widely-broadcast New Year’s Eve edition. At once one of the busiest marquee acts in bluegrass and an iconic figure in its history – that’s Doyle Lawson. And with the March 27th release of his second album for Rounder Records, More Behind the Picture Than the Wall, both aspects of his career are sure to be enhanced still further.

Learn more at www.doylelawson.com.

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Cherryholmes Family

In five short years, this high-energy Nashville-based band was named 2005 IBMA’s Entertainers of the Year. Cherryholmes has many qualities that make them unique, but the basis of their success lies in plain, old-fashioned hard work combined with shining star talent that only appears to glow more brightly with each performance. They embody the American Bluegrass dream. All six band members pull their creative ideas to form their own new brand of bluegrass music. Every member takes a turn singing lead and showcasing their abilities. Their live shows include twin fiddles, Irish step dancing, classic country yodeling, and old-time claw hammer in addition to their dynamic bluegrass. They have continued to receive many industry nominations and awards- including a Grammy nomination in 2006 for their first commercial release “Cherryholmes”. Their second release on Skaggs Family Records “Cherryholmes ll” was released in June 2007 and opened up at #1 on the BillBoard Charts. Cherryholmes have also become regular performers on the historic Grand Ole Opry.

Learn more here.

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Grasstowne

In 2000 Alan recorded his first solo project “In The Blue Room” which was met with critical acclaim and was voted “Best Instrumental Project of the Year” by County Sales. Also in 2000, he was asked by Mel Bay to be a part of the book “Greatest Mandolin Players of the Twentieth Century.” The BlueRidge project “Side By Side” which was released in 2003 on Sugar Hill Records, reached #2 on the Bluegrass Unlimited charts, was voted the #2 CD of the year by Bluegrass Now, and was nominated for a Grammy.

A stylist who turned heads as an original member of The New Quicksilver, IIIrd Tyme Out , BlueRidge and the new Super-Group Grasstowne, his tasteful innovations and pristine execution earned him inclusion in The Young Mando Monsters project and Mel Bay’s mandolin book “The Greatest Mandolin Players Of The Twentieth Century.” Alan has been nominated for awards each year at SPBGMA (The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America) and most recently won “Mandolin Player Of The Year” for 2007. He has also been nominated at the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Awards and has most recently won for “Album of The Year”, “Instrumental Recording Of The Year” and “Recorded Event Of The Year.”

Learn more at www.grasstowne.com.

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The Bluegrass Brothers

The Bluegrass Brothers are a high energy bluegrass band that are a must see show for a traditional bluegrass delight! They have all grown up in bluegrass music families in Virginia and it is evident very soon after they hit the stage. Their family harmony vocals are exceptional. Brothers Robert, on banjo, and Victor Dowdy, on bass, have made many musical accomplishments over numerous years, and their vocals and musicianship are second to none. Carrying on in the family tradition, Victor’s two sons, Donald and Steve Dowdy are also very talented vocalists and their guitar work is very entertaining. Brandon Farley plays an intense mandolin and provides a rich fiddle performance.

ROBERT DOWDY- Banjo,Lead and Harmony Vocals. Born on October 27, 1956. I started playing the guitar at age five. I played Rock and Country music until I was twelve and then started playing the banjo and Bluegrass music. I was influenced by The Osborne Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs, Reno Smiley and The Stanley Brothers. I have been married for twenty one years and have a son and a daughter. I work for Medeco Security Locks in Virginia, as a Maintenance Technician. I started playing the banjo on a Kay. After one year I had saved up enough money to buy a new RB 800 Gibson Master Tone and played it for thirty four years. I recently purchased a RB 75 JD Crowe signature Gibson Master Tone, That I currently play. The first band I played in was The Bluegrass Playboys. which was a family band consisting of my brothers and I. I played with The New Grass Revue for five years and then spent two years with The Gospel Gentlemen. In 1989 my brother Victor and I formed The Bluegrass Brothers.

STEVEN DOWDY-Guitar,Lead and Harmony Vocals. I was born on January 27, 1980 in Salem Virginia. Started singing at the age of three. The first song I sang was “Elvira” by The Oak Ridge Boys. I started playing bass at age seven. I started playing guitar at age sixteen, when my grandfather S.M. Dowdy bought me a FG 180 Yamaha, and he showed me my first chords. Also play mandolin. I have played with several bands including Lock, Stock and Barrell, Bum Ride and Junior Sisk and Rambler’s Choice. I founded Southern Comfort with by brother Donald and was an original member of The Locust Mountain Boys, along with my father. I joined The Bluegrass Brothers nine years ago as the guitar player and have been on seven recordings. I enjoy writing songs and have written several that our band has recorded. Few Degrees Colder, Blue Eyed Girl, Country Boy Moves On, Cold Virginia Blues, One More Try and two Gospel songs, Please Take My Hand and Ask The Lord. When not playing music I enjoy fishing and hunting, especially “Coon Hunting”, and Nascar racing. My favorite food is ribeye steak, favorite color is blue and my favorite movie is Days Of Thunder.

DONALD DOWDY- Guitar,Lead and Harmony Vocals. I was born April 7, 1987 and I have been singing and playing Bluegrass music for ten years. I play my instruments strung right handed but I play left handed. So, my chords and picking are really upside down. I play Guitar, Mandolin and Bass. I have done recordings on four CD’s. My most recent was on “the Old Crooked Trail”, by The Bluegrass Brothers, in which I done a song that I wrote called “Lonesome Ole Prisoner”. My favorite singers are Larry Sparks, The Stanley Brothers and my father Victor Dowdy. When I’m not playing music I like to hunt, fish and practice my music.

VICTOR DOWDY- Bass,Lead and Harmony Vocals. I was born on March 15, 1961 and started playing music at the age of seventeen with a local group from Salem, Virginia, where I have lived all my life. The band was called The Back Creek Boys, and thats how I got my first gig. I played Bluegrass with The Back Creek Boys for about a year, almost every night of the week and I credit my learning Bluegrass from those guys. I had to quit playing every night because of family and work. I started playing “Old Time” music about a month later with some good ol’ boys from Craig County. They called themselves The Meadow Creek Express Band. Thats where I learned to sing the Old Time music that I Love. We played together until 1989 and that’s when my brother Robert and I started pickin’ together, with three other guys. Mickey Conner, John Conner and Billy Hurt Jr.. Since that day we have had several different guitarists and a couple of different Mandolin players, until we found Jack Leonard Jr., and my son Steven Dowdy. Although Steve was a very young musician, I stuck with him because I knew that he would someday be a top-knotch musician. Boy was I right! I guess my greatest accomplishment would have to be winning the Virginia State Championship five times on bass fiddle and three times on the male vocal, though I hope that someday I can reach the National spotlight like some of the greatest singers such as Russell Moore, Ronnie Bowman or Ralph Stanley, or to be recognized for my bass pickin’ like the great Tom Gray.

RANDON FARLEY- Mandolin, Fiddle and Harmony Vocals. I was born December 5, 1985 and I live in Princeton, West Virginia with my wife, Savannah, and our son Brent . I began playing Mandolin at age five and at about eight years old I learned Banjo, Guitar and Fiddle. I have been special guest on Mandolin for The Lewis Family and Ralph Stanley and I also played in a group with Melvin Goens. I have also won the individual Mandolin competitions at the Galax Fiddlers Convention and at the Fairview Ruritan Club in Galax, Virginia . My Grandfather, Joe Meadows, played Fiddle for Jim and Jesse, The Stanley Brothers, and Bill Monroe. I also like playing Fiddle but when I’m not playing music I Love trading stuff!, and if I’d have to say, one of my favorite things would be a 1979 Ford Truck.

Learn more at www.thebluegrassbrothers.com.

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The Bluegrass Strangers are a favorite every year according to concert goers and are back by popular demand for the 8th year! The Bluegrass Strangers are one of the most exciting, straight ahead, traditional bands performing today! They come to Myrtle Beach from Kentucky and Ohio.

Richard William Webb – Dick Webb formed The Bluegrass Strangers in 1976. The first band members were Dutch Lykins, Steve Parsons, Bob Myers and John Myers. Cliff Chapman and Chester Willis joined the band in 1979 replacing Bob and John Myers. When Cliff left the band in 1980, Jimmy Lykins stepped in to finish the schedule and has been with the band ever since. Their traditional sounds are just as popular today as they were 30 years ago. Dick was born in Portsmouth, Ohio and doesn’t have to take a back seat to anyone when it comes to playing straight-ahead five string banjo. He’s also a superb claw-hammering style player, which is also used in their show. He sings baritone and low tenor in the trios and bass in the quartet. He lives with his wife, Wendy in Powellsville, Ohio. Wendy also runs sound for the band. Dick is the proud father of three sons, Richard, Jason and Aaron and the proud grandfather of Wyatt born February 27, 2006. When he isn’t on the road with the band, he enjoys indian arrow head hunting, deer hunting and fishing. He’s an expert at wood working and always makes time to take care of his baby, the band’s 40-foot MCI. Dick doesn’t have to take a backseat to anyone when it comes to playing a traditional five-string banjo. He also does a fantastic job playing old style claw hammer. Dick also sings baritone and low tenor in the trios and bass in the quartet. Dick and Jim’s sound system, known as Pine Creek Audio, is a favorite at Bluegrass Festivals.

Jimmy Lykins, from Garrison, Kentucky is lead singer with songs straight from the heart with soul and feeling like no one else. He also plays a strong rhythm guitar. Jimmy was born in Petersville, Lewis County, Kentucky. When it comes to a traditional vocalist, Jimmy is one of the best. He sings straight from the heart with soul and feeling like no one else. He also plays a strong rhythm guitar in the band. Jimmy owns and operates The Little Quincy Opry and is co-owner of the Quincy Grocery Store in Quincy, Kentucky.. He is the proud father of James, Robert, Jena Faye, Connie and Jennifer. Jimmy also has seven grandchildren. Jimmy joined The Bluegrass Strangers in 1980. When he’s not on the road with the band, he loves listening to bluegrass and gospel music.

Bryan Wayne Tackett is the newest member of our band and is usually called Big Bubba by band members. He was born in Lewis County, Kentucky and makes his home in Quincy, Kentucky with his wife, Rebecca and their two daughters, McKenzie, 3 and Mackayla, 3 months. Rebecca is an L.P.N. at Hillview Retirement Center in Portsmouth, Ohio. Bryan’s life has always been around music with his dad, Walt playing guitar and bass and his mother, Vicki playing piano. His high lonesome soulful bluegrass voice allows for perfect harmony with Jimmy’s traditional sound of bluegrass. When he’s not on the road with the band, he’s employed by Adelphia Cable and enjoys hunting and basketball.

Jamie Brooks Shannon is an outstanding mandolin player and shouldn’t be overlooked. His playing is tasteful, exciting and full of energy and also sings lead vocal for the band. He also plays guitar, banjo and bass. He was recently married to Wendy Lemaster on his father and stepmother’s, Bill and Linda Shannon, farm. Jamie and Wendy are making their home in Louisa, Kentucky. When he’s not on the road with the band, he works as an owner/operator for Admiral Merchants Motor Freight. Jamie just finished making his first mandolin.

K. Dean Whitaker is a great asset to the band with his rock solid timing on the upright bass. He also provides bass and baritone vocals to the band along with filling in as sound technician at festivals. Dean and his wife, Pam live in Ashland, Kentucky. They have two sons, Mark and Jason and three grandchildren. He loves fishing and when he’s not on the road with the band, he’s an owner/operator for Admiral Merchants Motor Freight.

Wendy Webb gives fans of The Bluegrass Strangers a great bluegrass experience with great sound mixing, micing and equalization of the sounds fans expect. She also runs sounds for numerous bands at numerous festivals giving all of them the almost sacred sounds of bluegrass on the Behringer soundboard. Wendy is married to Dick Webb and also plays banjo, guitar and bass. When traveling she helps drive the bus and helps with setup as part of Pine Creek Audio. When she isn’t on the road with the band, she loves riding 4 wheelers, an avid hunter and writes poetry for The Strangers Newsletter and The Strangers web site. Her latest passion is Chun Kuk Do. She just achieved her yellow belt making her closer to the coveted black belt. Wendy and Dick are the owners of Pine Creek Records and Pine Creek Entertainment.

Dick Webb and his wife Wendy will also handle the sound for the Ocean Lakes’ Premier Bluegrass Weekend.

Archie Duncan has joined The Strangers as their backup sound technician. Archie resides in Vanceburg, Kentucky with his wife Gloria. They are the parents of Serena and Brian and have 2 grandchildren. Archie is a retired auto mechanic and also plays guitar. When he’s not on the road with The Strangers, he loves playing and listening to bluegrass music and fishing.

See more at www.bluegrass-strangers.com.

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Kenny & Amanda Smith

The Kenny & Amanda Smith Band is one of the most highly respected Bluegrass bands in the industry, with the group winning International Bluegrass Music Association’s Emerging Artist of the Year Award in 2003 and Kenny twice winning IBMA’s Guitarist of the Year. When Kenny started his music career, he performed Southern Gospel music with his cousin at area churches where they began to build a loyal following. It was during this time that Kenny made his conversion to Christianity and eventually he moved into the Bluegrass genre with the Lonesome River Band but his heart stayed with his Christian roots. At a concert, Kenny met fellow Bluegrass artist Amanda, who had been praying to meet a Christian man who liked to play music. Their band deputed in 2001 and became of the most innovative new acts in Bluegrass music. Mills and Young had stayed, recruiting guitarist Ray Berrier and banjo player Lynwood Lunsford as replacements. Rebel Recording Artists.

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Carolina Rebels

Popular with bluegrass and non bluegrass audiences alike The Carolina Rebels delight crowds with a mix of old style bluegrass, fast banjo and fiddle tunes, original songs, smooth 4/4 shuffles, quartet vocals…..and most importantly…..an entertaining show.

Learn more at www.carolinarebels.com.

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Ocean Lakes Premier Bluegrass Weekends:

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