Band of RuhksIf you go
› What and when: John F. Studdard Memorial Gospel Concert, 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 4, and Cousin Jake Memorial Bluegrass Festival, noon-10 p.m. March 5. Doors open at 7 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday.› Where: Gem Theatre, 700 Tennessee Ave., Etowah, Tenn.› Admission: $12 gospel concert, $18 bluegrass festival, $25 two-day combo.› Phone: 423-263-7608.› Website: www.etowaharts.org.
Back-to-back concerts in Etowah, Tenn., this weekend will pay homage to native sons who made their mark in gospel and bluegrass music.
The eighth annual John F. Studdard Memorial Gospel Concert is Friday night, March 4. The 22nd annual Cousin Jake Memorial Bluegrass Festival is all day Saturday, March 5. Both events take place at the historic Gem Theater, and jam sessions open to any interested musicians are scheduled Saturday afternoon on the lawn at the L&N Depot across the street.
Concessions will be available at the theater, and Boy Scout Troop 74 will be selling barbecue at the L&N Depot on Saturday.
Just Us is the host band for both shows, and Journey Home will be featured at Friday night’s gospel concert.
The gospel concert honors Studdard (1949-2008), an educator, bluegrass musician and member of the Etowah Arts Commission. He was a founding member of bluegrass band Hiwassee Ridge and founder/coordinator of the Cousin Jake Memorial Bluegrass Festival, which pays tribute to “Cousin Jake” Tullock (1922-1988), who grew up in Etowah and was a longtime member of Flatt and Scruggs’ renowned Foggy Mountain Boys, playing bass and telling jokes.
Headlining Saturday’s festival is Band of Ruhks, the trio of Ronnie Bowman, Don Rigsby and Kenny Smith. The three originally made music together in the 1990s as members of the Lonesome River Band. In 2001, each embarked on separate musical journeys that have included playing in other bands, session work and winning an assortment of industry awards. They reunited in 2010 for an LRB show and formed their trio with a goal of making new music together.
Also in the lineup are Valley Grass Express, Hamilton County Ramblers and The Dismembered Tennesseans. All of the bands will play afternoon and evening sets.
Will-call tickets are available by phone and online with a credit card. Walk-ups may purchase tickets at the EAC office between noon and 6 p.m. The first floor of the Gem Theater and L&N Depot are handicap accessible.