The N.C. State Fairgrounds will serve as the epicenter in a three-day extravaganza of Capital City bluegrass that will include performances by The Jerry Douglas Band at the Museum of Art and local standouts Chatham County Line and Big Fat Gap at The Pour House Music Hall (see the Indy music listings). The big-band bluegrass powerhouses of Del McCoury, The Seldom Scene and Mountain Heart will anchor the strong second-year lineup of the Jam’n Bluegrass-Style Festival, set entirely beneath a mammoth tent at the Fairground’s Heritage Circle. The James King Band–fronted by the reverent King, a man known for his soulful, honest take on the high and lonesome–is a must-see, as is the energetic Carolina Road Band and the adolescent and award-winning Puny Pickers. A Thursday morning band contest will earn one deft roots act $500, and a donation of either $5 or $10 will win a few deft people either a new banjo, pick-up truck or motorcycle. David Parmley and Continental Divide host the festival, which runs from Thursday to Saturday and which will run you $25 for Thursday and $30 for Friday or Saturday. Visit www.jam-n-bluegrass.com for more information.
