If YOU have a show YOU would like added to my list PLEASE email me at garyhayes2@yahoo.com. I literally watch more than 40 venues in Nashville plus belong to many concert websites in order to bring you this coverage. NEW IN 2018, folks I am always looking for ways to enhance what I do for you. So this year I’ll be reporting on further Kentucky shows, and further Tennessee shows as well.

Folks WHATEVER YOU DO PLEASE support live venue music

Sarah Gayle Meech
Robert’s Western World Jan 5th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 19th, 24rth
26th, 31st.

William Matheny
The Basement January 6th

Mandy Barnett
3rd And Lindsley Jan 7th

The Milk Carton Kids
Ryman Auditorium January 10th

Kristiana Murray
Josh Morningstar
Jeremy Pinnell
The Basement January 11th

Sean Whiting
Southgate House January 12th

Vince Gill
Ryman Auditorium January 12th

Ronnie Milsap
Ryman Auditorium January 16th

Swelltone Records Tour
The Southgate House January 16th

Sarah Shook And The Disarmers
The Southgate House January 17th

Greensky Bluegrass
Ryman Auditorium January 17th

Nathan Belt And The Buckles
Acme Feed And Seed January 8th and 18th

Steel Woods
Josh Card
3Rd and Lindsley January 18th and 19th

The Grascals
Bluegrass Hall Of Fame Woodard Theater January 19th

Erin Enderlin
3rd And Lindsley January 19th

The Devil Makes Three
3Rd And Lindsley January 20th

The Lost Dog Street Band
3rd And Lindsley January 20th

Wayne Hancock
Joe’s Truck Stop
The Southgate House January 24th

Whiskey Myers
Cannery Ballroom January 25th

Wynonna Judd
State Theater Elizabethtown Ky Jan 26th

Rye Davis
Mike’s Bar And Grill Clarksville Tn January 25th, March 2nd and April 13th

Aaron Watson
the Ryman January 24th

The Po’ Ramblin
The Station Inn January 30th

Brent Cobb
Ryman Auditorium January 31st

Read Southall Band
The Basement Feb 1st

The Grascals
The Station Inn Feb 2nd 2019

Josh Card
The Steel Woods
The Warehouse Bowling Green Feb 2nd 2019

Dead Horses
The High Watt February 6th

The Royal Hounds
Scoreboard Grill Feb 7th

Johnny Fritz
Cannery Ballroom Feb 7th

Joshua Hedley
Southgate House Feb 7th

Dallas Moore
Craig Gerdes
Spillway Bar And Grill Feb 8th

Andrew Leahey And The Homestead
The Royal Hounds
Acme Feed And Seed Feb 9th

Ronnie Milsap
Plaza Theater Glasgow Ky Feb 9th

The Tillers Old time string Breakers Ball
Southgate House Feb 9th

Micky And The Motorcars
Exit Inn Feb 10th

Urban Pioneers
Springwater Super Clucb Feb 10th

The Royal Hounds
Acme Feed And Seed Feb 13th

The Wild Feathers
The Ryman Auditorium Feb 15th and 16th

James Carothers
Spillway Bar And Grill Feb 16th

Radney Foster
City Winery Feb 15th

The Lil Smokies
The High Watt Feb 9th

Sean K. Preston And The Loaded Pistols
Tennessee Brew Works Feb 21st 2019

Travis Tritt
Country music Hall Of Fame Feb 22nd and 23rd 2019

Ronnie Milsap
Glema Mahr Center Madisonville Ky Feb 22nd

Blackberry Smoke
The Ryman Auditorium Feb 22nd and 23rd

Tim Atwood
Country Music Hall Of Fame Feb 23rd

Travis Tritt
CMA Theater Feb 22nd, 23rd and 24th

Randy Rogers Band
Marathon Music Works Feb 23rd

Josh Abbott Band
Marathon Music Works Feb 23rd

Rhonda Vincent And The Rage
Bluegrass Hall Of Fame Feb 23rd

Jimmy Fortune
The Capitol Theater Feb 26th

Kacey Musgraves
Ryman Auditorium Feb 27th 2019

John Prine
Ryman Auditorium December 31st

Kasey Musgraves
Bridgestone Arena March 1 and 2nd 2019

Elizabeth Cook
Chris Shiflett
Kendell Marvel
The Basement East March 3rd

Emi Sunshine
War Memorial Auditorium March 7th

Sarah Shook And The Disarmers
The Basement East March 8th

Whitey Morgan And The 78s
Minglewood Hall Memphis Tn March 9th

Steep Canyon Rangers
Bluegrass HOF March 9th

The Supersuckers
Southgate House March 14th

Whitey Morgan And The 78’s
Capone’s Johnson City Tn

Whitey Morgan And The 78’s
Headliners Music Hall Louisville Ky March 15th

Hannah Aldridge
Wonky Tonk
Nellen Dryden
The Basement March 20th

Infamous Stringdusters
The Great Peacock
Marathon Music Works March 29th

Confederate Railroad
Cahoots Dancehall March 29th

Weston Harris Album Release Party
Matt Woods
The Basement March 28th

The Goddamn Gallows
Scott H Biram
Urban Pioneers
Basement East March 29th

Rye Davis
Spillway Bar And Grill March 30th

The Reeves Brothers
American Legion post 82 April 2nd

Reckless Kelly
Basement East April 5th

Andrea Colburn And Mud Moseley
American Legion Post 82 April 6th

Reverend Horton Heat
Legendary Shack Shakers
Hooten Hallers
Southgate House Revival April 8th

Hayes Carll
The Basement East April 11th

Sierra Hull
Bluegrass Hall Of Fame April 12th

The Barnyard Stompers
The Cobra Nashville April 18th

The Grascals
Courthouse Square In Leitchfield Ky July 20th 2019

Cody Johnson
Ryman Auditorium May 4rth

Charley Pride
Carson Center Paducah Ky May 10th

Jerry Douglass
City Winery May 11th

Deer Tick
Ryman Auditorium May 17th

John Prine
Kelsey Waldon
Lu-Ray Park Ampitheater
Central City Ky July 13th

The Steel Woods
The Shed Maryville Tn July 27th

Unknown Hinson
Exit Inn December 31st

One of the more prominent Bluegrass Festivals I cover The Podunk Bluegrass Festival, has announced a new Connecticut location for 2019. After this year’s festival their five year deal with Hebron Lions Club came to a close, and the venue informed the board of directors that music would not be hosted in august.

Some of the artist contracts and retainer fees prohibited them from moving the festival to July of 2019, and they also reportedly were not wanting to raise ire with the Grey Fox Festival in New York, which garners the same similar patrons.

The board of directors searched until they found the Goshen Fairgrounds in Goshen Ct, which actually offers more amnesties than their previous venue.  This facility hosts many other outdoor music functions, making it a suitable option for a Bluegrass festival of this magnitude.

It is located about an hour west of the original venue and has all sorts of RV hookups and wooded areas for rough camping, which is a new change for 2019. However the festival organizers will be willing to discuss a refund for those that cannot make the longer journey.

Please continue to log on to our website for ALL the best information on over 200 yearly festivals. For more information on this particular festival please click HERE.

DelFest
Old Settler’s Music Festival
The John Hartford Music Festival
Merlefest
High Water festival
Mardi Gras Texas Style
Winter Wonder Grass Series
Moonrunners Music Festival
The Nashville Boogie
Master Musician’s Festival
Tumbleweed

PODUNK CONTESTS We will be holding all of our usual contests in 2019 The Podunk Band Competition Sponsored by Telefunken, the Band Competition gives bands a chance to make the jump from a local or regional band to one of national recognition. It gives groups an opportunity to present to a wider audience and establish themselves as a band to be “watched and heard.” The 2018 contestants were: Winner & Fan Favorite Pretty Saro along with Collinsville String Band, Blackjack Crossing and River Bones Band For more information click HERE The Voice of Podunk Kids A singing contest for children ages 7 to 17.   This is not a bluegrass music contest. The child chooses the song and the genre. A single accompanying instrument is allowed.   A guitar player can be provided for kids who do not play an instrument. Participants can be a solo, a duet, a trio or even a quartet. The contest will take place the morning of August 11 at the festival. Kids will perform their songs on the Workshop Stage. to sign up contact Myrna Riquier 860-455-9400 or natchaugmusic@gmail.com Songwriting Competition Top three winners receive cash prizes and other amenities, including the opportunity to appear on stage during this year’s festival.  Contest entry deadline is May 1.  Podunk’s competition goes through a two stage judging, first with a panel of professionals to determine the top five songs. They are then sent to three different judges for a blind listening and judging based on seven categories to determine the top three who will receive a chance to perform and receive cash prizes. For more information click HERE

HERE is a link for a full map of the campgrounds!
Directions:
From HartfordTake I-84 East towards East Hartford.Cross Connecticut River, take exit number 55, Route 2 East towards Norwich/New London.Take exit number 12 – West Road, Business Route/Marlborough.Turn LEFT onto West RoadWest Road becomes Martin Road in HebronAt end of Martin Rd. turn RIGHT onto Route 85.Lions Fairgrounds will be 1 mile on the RIGHT.
From New HavenTake I- 91 North towards Hartford.Take the exit number 18, Route 66 East towards Middletown/Portland.Follow Route 66 East to Route 85 intersection in center of Hebron.Take a LEFT onto Route 85 North.Lions Fairgrounds will be on the LEFT.
From New LondonTake Route 85 North towards Hartford.Turn LEFT onto Route 82/East Haddam Rd.Take Route 11 North towards Hartford/Colchester.Merge with Route 2 West.Take the Route 16 exit, exit number 18, towards Colchester /Middletown.Take a RIGHT onto Route 16 East.Take a LEFT onto Route 85 North.Follow Route 85 North across Route 85 and Route 66 intersection.Lions Fairgrounds will be on the LEFT.
FAQs
Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?
It is helpful to have an ID should questions arise at the ticket gate. Children 15 and under are free of charge with an adult.
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
There is parking for 5,000 cars on the grounds. If you need assistance to get from the parking lot to the concert area please ask one of our volunteers or staff members for assistance. There are paved walkways throughout the festival grounds.
What can/can’t I bring to the event?
Small coolers are allowed into the festival but why bother when we have some great food vendors.
Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?
You may call 860-828-9818 with any questions or by email at info@podunkbluegrass.com
Is my registration/ticket transferrable?
Yes you may update and transfer the ticket to someone else.
Can I update my registration information?
Yes you can just go to the ticket site and follow directions.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Yes you should bring your ticket as it will speed up your entry into the festival
What is the refund policy?
There are no refunds
Do you sell tickets for one day?
Yes you may purchase individual tickets at any time.
Are senior and children’s tickets the same cost as Adult tickets?
Yes tickets are all the same price. Children 15 and under are free with a paying adult.
Are picnic tables available at our site?
There are tables available for your use as a premium ticket holder. Just let the campground crew know when you pull in.
Is there a dump station?
No dump stations located on the grounds. But you can pay the port a john company directly to dump. Check with our Camping Captain for details upon arrival.
Are fires allowed?
No open fires are allowed on the grounds per the Lions and Fire Marshal.
Is there an after 7 PM Ticket Price?
Yes we have a general admission ticket for $40.00 for anyone entering after 7 PM on Friday or Saturday.

BLUEGRASS SHOWCASE EVENTS

A number of Bluegrass Showcase events are being implemented specifically to help increase the fan-base of bluegrass music.  A small $10 donation at the door gets the participating musicians paid.  Showcases will run from September to May.  More venues are being developed at other locations.  To get onto the schedule call Myrna Riquier at 455-9400 or email her natchaugmusic@gmail.com,  Please do not contact the venues.

Here is what is happening so far….

The Packing House 
 1st  Wednesdays 7-9PM
156 River Road  (Rt. 32)  Willington, CT 518-791-9474
WEBSITE

Yantic River Inn 
2nd  Wednesdays 7:00-9:30PM.
270 West Town Street Yantic, CT 860-887-4300
WEBSITE 

Dec 12 – Yantic river Volunteers with Nick Anderson
Jan 9 –  Cabin Fever
Feb 13 – need band
Mar 13 – need band
Apr 10 – Rock Hearts
May 08 – Still Pickin’ Band
(Final Showcase for the season. Resumes in Sept.)

The Hungry Tiger
2nd  Sundays 5-8PM.
120 Charter Oak StreetManchester, CT  860-649-1195
WEBSITE 

Jan 13 –  Bend in the River
Feb 10 – Rock Hearts
Mar 10 –  Restless Mountain
Apr 14 –  81 South
May 12 – Still Pickin’ Band
(Final Showcase for the season. Resumes in Sept.)

MORE INFORMATION