By Paul Leach
Correspondent
DELANO, Tenn – A biannual bluegrass festival featuring plenty of barbecue chicken and musical talent takes place this weekend at Delano’s Linsdale Community Service Center.
Organizer Christine Wood explained that the popular barbecue chicken came before the music. Wood, a longtime fan of bluegrass, saw an opportunity when she became involved with the event eight years ago.
“We like bluegrass music, and we decided to add it to the Saturday barbecue chicken festivities,” she said.
Concessions will be available both days, but the barbecue chicken is served Saturday only.
The Linsdale Bluegrass Festival features six musical acts. Hiwassee Ridge, Just Us, LakeSide and the Rigney Family Band will perform today and Saturday. Between the Lines appears today, and Steel String Session plays Saturday.
IF YOU GO* What: Linsdale Bluegrass Festival.* When: 7 p.m. today and 1 p.m. Saturday.* Where: Linsdale Community Service Center, 111 Friendship Church Road, Delano, Tenn.* Admission: $5 per day, $8 for weekend.* Phone: 423-715-0369, 338-5040.DIRECTIONS* From I-75: Take the Charleston exit to U.S. 11 North. Turn right onto Highway 163/Bowater Road (less then a mile after crossing Hiwassee River) and follow the signs.* From U.S. 411: Turn left onto Highway 163/Bowater Road and follow the signs.
Wood said that Linsdale’s spring and late summer bluegrass events draw crowds of up to 500, depending on the weather. “We’ve had people from Alabama and Chatsworth (Ga.), and some who are traveling through and stop by,” she said.
Area musician Cindy Studdard handles sound and booking for the event, which benefits the community’s fire department. Her band, Hiwassee Ridge, will perform at the festival as well. “This event is definitely worth our efforts,” said Studdard.
Lisa Jacobi of Steel String Session praised the event for its reputation of quality sound. This weekend’s show will be the first time Steel String Session has played one of the Linsdale festivals.
“Linsdale has some of the best sounds and great audiences,” she said.
E-mail Paul Leach at paulrleach@gmail. com
SCHEDULE
Today
7 p.m. Between the Lines
7:40 p.m. Rigney Family Band
8:20 p.m. Just Us
9 p.m. LakeSide
9:40 p.m. Hiwassee Ridge
Saturday
1 p.m. Rigney Family Band
1:50 p.m. Hiwassee Ridge
2:40 p.m. Steel String Session
3:30 p.m. Just Us
4:20 p.m. LakeSide
5:10 p.m. Intermission
6 p.m. Steel String Session
6:50 p.m. LakeSide
7:40 p.m. Just Us
8:30 p.m. Rigney Family Band
9:20 p.m. Hiwassee Ridge
BAND WEBSITES
* www.lakesidegospel.com/
* www.rigneyfamilyblue grass.com/
* www.justusbluegrass.com /fr_home.cfm
* http://betweenthelines band.org/Home_Page.php
* www.hiwasseeridge.com
* http://curmudgeoncafe.com/steel
http://steelstringsession.com/