Etowah bluegrass festival remembers Cousin Jake - March 8

photo Members of The Boxcars are John R. Bowman, Harold Nixon, Adam Steffey, Keith Garrett and Ronnie Stewart, from left. They earned a Grammy nomination for their latest album, "It's Just a Road."
photo The Leadbetters feature Phil Leadbetter (Dobro, vocals), Matt Leadbetter (bass, vocals), Kent Leadbetter (banjo, vocals), Chance Leadbetter (mandolin, vocals) and Darrell Webb (guitar, vocals).

Host band Just Us will welcome four bluegrass compatriots - The Leadbetters, Reliance, The Boxcars and Between the Lines - on Saturday, March 8, for the 20th annual Cousin Jake Memorial Bluegrass Festival in Etowah, Tenn.

The box office opens at 11 a.m., and music begins at noon in the historic Gem Theater, 700 Tennessee Ave. Jam sessions will take place all afternoon on the lawn of the adjacent L&N Depot, 727 Tennessee Ave.

The event honors the late Jake Tullock, a native of Etowah who began his professional music career on the old "Cas Walker" and "Midday Merry-go-Round" radio shows in Knoxville. He eventually joined Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs as a bass player and comic, performing with The Foggy Mountain Boys for 20 years as "Cousin" Jake. After his retirement, Tullock returned home to Etowah and continued to perform until his death.

Tickets are $15. They may be purchased in advance at www.Etowah Arts.org or by calling 423-263-7608.

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