Although they hail from the Home of the Blues, the River Bluff Clan is leading the way in Memphis’ growing love of bluegrass, Americana and alt-country. Their bluegrass interpretation draws from Celtic and Appalachian traditions, along with the blues of the Mississippi hill country and Delta. It is thoughtful, soulful, energetic, and fun music that includes acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass and vocals. Courtesy photo.
The Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center brings back its popular series this Friday, May 10. Music by the Lake is a free outdoor concert series hosted on the banks of Appling Lake next to BPACC.
This week’s bluegrass concert will be 6-9 p.m., featuring the River Bluff Clan with opening act Blue Day. The public can bring chairs and picnic blankets for relaxing while they let the bluegrass wash over them.
Festivities will include food trucks and the Bartlett Public Library’s “Pop-Up Library.” (Rather than checking out books, concert-goers can pick out a book to take home to read and keep forever.)
The next Music by the Lake will be on June 14, when Gerald Richardson opens with pop covers, followed by Nick Black with his unique blend of soul and R&B.
Rain plans are easy: In case of bad weather, the concerts will continue at the same time and day inside BPACC.
Blue Day was formed in 2008, when four guys who occasionally jammed together realized that they had an energy and blend that demanded more. They soon found themselves neck deep in tunes from traditional Bill Monroe to modern grass to country to blues to rockabilly. Throw in a little swing and you have the eclectic acoustic music of Blue Day. Band members are Ernie Welch on banjo, Rick Crenshaw on mandolin, Steve Craig on bass and Tony Branham on guitar. All members share vocal duties. Courtesy photo.
