MELANGE-Summer 2019

PROSE STACEY POTTER
Bill Monroe really knew what he
was doing. As the acknowledged
“Father of Bluegrass,” he
brought the obscure mountain
music of his native Kentucky
down from the hills and into the ears of music fans
around the world. His band, “Bill Monroe and the Blue
Grass Boys,” famously performed in 1945 at Nashville’s Ryman
Auditorium, and the rest, as they say, is history.
In 1972, the Oscar- and Grammy-nominated film “Deliverance” helped sweep bluegrass to the top of
the music charts with the instrumental number, “Dueling Banjos.” (Even if you’ve never seen the movie,
you’re probably humming that famous hook right now.) Shortly after this upswing in popularity, an
enthusiastic group of bluegrass lovers and musicians formed what is now the Black Hills Bluegrass
Association, originally housed as a committee under the Rapid City Arts Council. All the
members of the association are unpaid volunteers to this day, with a mission to “promote the
art and education of bluegrass music and to preserve the heritage of American bluegrass.”
Now into their 39th year, they are still going small but strong, supported by a few faithful
corporate sponsors and a yearly attendance of adoring bluegrass fans.
As
with any
other musical
genre, bluegrass has
evolved with the times,
and today’s bluegrass music is as
diverse as any other category. There are,
of course, staunch traditionalists who insist on
rigorously maintaining the Bill Monroe bluegrass
template. But the many musical styles that
influenced “original” bluegrass, (including but not
limited to: traditional and fusion jazz, contemporary
country, Celtic, rock & roll, Tin Pan Alley, and
Southern Gospel), have opened the doors to many
new interpretations. Groups such as Alison Krauss
and Union Station, Trampled by Turtles, and The
Punch Brothers break the bluegrass mold with their
innovative approaches to the traditional genre.
And these progressions and advances in bluegrass
are music to Carol McConnell’s ears. One of the
original founders and current president of the Black
Hills Bluegrass Festival, Carol and her volunteers
work to bring all styles of bluegrass to the Black
Hills. “We have traditional bluegrass groups, of
course,” she explains, “but we also know that
traditional bluegrass isn’t for everyone.” Through
the years, the Bluegrass Association has worked
hard to keep the festival updated and fresh. “We
are always looking to rotate the bands that
we bring in, and we also try to find bands with
different sounds; variety matters, and we invite
you to come hear for yourself and find something
you love!” Aside from traditional bluegrass, music
enthusiasts this year will hear Celtic, Americana,
old-time country, Folk, and alt—or “new” grass. The
association also works, when possible, to feature
both nationally touring groups and local,
professional performers.
As one might expect for such a long-running
event, the festival has had many homes, including
Hart Ranch, Eagle’s Landing, and the Rapid City
Fairgrounds. This year brings yet another new
venue to their story—they will be hosted by Rush
No More RV Resort and Campground, located
just off I-90 exit 37 in the heart of the Black Hills.
Boasting both an outdoor amphitheater and an
indoor performance location, the new venue
ensures the festival will be able to make good on
their “rain or shine” policy. The campground also
offers cabins, full hook-up RV sites, and forested
tenting sites, in case you want to stay and enjoy
the entire weekend of music.
Carol remarks that weekend-long passes are
really the best deal, mentioning “We have some
wonderful groups this year and passes for the
whole weekend are really affordable, especially
if you buy them in advance. But in case you can
only come to one day, or even only one concert,
that’s ok, too. You can get your tickets at the
door.” In addition to showcasing five different
groups over the three days of music—
including a free-will offering Sunday Gospel
Concert—there will be music workshops
hosted by some of the performers.
The event is family-friendly, offering
activities for the kids, a craft show,
and open jam sessions. If you’re a
bluegrass lover, it’s a great chance
to bring your banjo and enjoy some
down-home pickin’. If you’re not
a bluegrass lover, it’s a great
chance for you to become one.
50 melangeblackhills.com | SUMMER 2019
MÉLANGE | a mix of Community fun 51