TWO GREAT BLUEGRASS SHOWS are right around the corner in Central New York’s beautiful Finger Lakes Region.

First on deck is the Winter Village Bluegrass Festival in Ithaca, NY on January 28, 29 & 30. Headlining the event is the Claire Lynch Band, featuring the reigning IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year. This (obviously indoor) event will be held at the gorgeous and intimate La Tourelle Resort and Spa and will be a magical weekend of concerts, workshops, jam sessions and outstanding Southern Comfort food in an atmosphere guaranteed to warm up even the coldest winter night. Click for the full lineup, tickets, directions, etc.

The next red hot bluegrass event in upstate New York is a show by THE BOXCARS at the beautiful Smith Opera House in Geneva on Saturday, February 5th. This is the second great bluegrass show that the Smith has presented, so let’s show our support of bluegrass in the Finger Lakes and go see this outstanding newly-formed super-group! In case you haven’t had the pleasure of hearing the group, you’ll know its all-star members — Adam Steffey, Ron Stewart, Keith Garrett, John Bowman and Harold Nixon. Adding to the evening’s excitement will be rock-solid Newfound Road (Ohio) and Eva & The Dog Boys (NY). Click for tickets, info and directions.

Attendees at both of these fine events will have an opportunity to WIN TICKETS to Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival (July 14-17 in Oak Hill, New York. Stop by our table, say hello and sign up! We’re, of course, THRILLED to have The Boxcars as well as Claire Lynch with us at Grey Fox — The Boxcars on Thursday, July 14; Claire on Friday, July 15 — along with a virtual  Who’s Who of Bluegrass Music! Click for tickets and all things grey & foxy!

David Grisman, Grey Fox 2010 Main Stage

Another in the long series of Dean Loomis’ videos.

Calling all Railroad Earth fans…check out story in Relix Magazine Online. http://www.relix.com/on-the-verge/2011/01/07/railroad-earth-relix-revisited

The Hillbenders, a young band from Springfield, MO, impressed the Grey Fox audience with a unique mix of covers and originals. Their youthful, progressive sound, led by fine instrumentation and wonderful vocals (lead vocalist/mandolinist Nolan Lawrence) brought an exuberant sound to the main stage in 2010. And they’re coming back in 2011!

Sam Bush Band, Grey Fox 2010 Main Stage

Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival is pleased to announce preliminary lineup: Sam Bush Band; Del McCoury Band; The SteelDrivers; The O’Brien Family Band (Tim O, Mollie O, Rich Moore, etc.); Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band; Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper; The Claire Lynch Band; Boxcars; Red Stick Ramblers; Rockin’ Acoustic Circus; The Hillbenders and host band, Dry Branch Fire Squad. More bands tba. Grey Fox (2009 IBMA Event of the Year) takes place July 14-17 on the Walsh Farm in Oak Hill, NY. Tickets now on sale. Recession buster (1/1-1/31) just $135. Get tickets now!