A Swedish bluegrass band will join acts from around the South on Saturday at the second annual Bluegrass Bands and Helping Hands benefit concert in Dalton, Ga.
Featured will be Sweden’s G2 Bluegrass Band, named the top European bluegrass band in 2007. The band previously toured in America, playing several major festivals as well as the 2009 International Bluegrass Music Association awards show.
Also appearing will be The Dismembered Tennesseans of Chattanooga, Gold Heart from Virginia and The Hillbenders of Missouri, winners of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in 2009.
IF YOU GO* What: Bluegrass Bands and Helping Hands concert.* When: 5 p.m. Saturday.* Where: Recreation Place, First Presbyterian Church, 510 S. Tibbs Road, Dalton, Ga.* Admission: $15 in advance, $20 at the door for adults; $10 students 12 and older.* Phone: 706-264-6950.* Website: www.BluegrassBandsHelpingHands.com.
One hundred percent of proceeds from Bluegrass Bands and Helping Hands concerts benefit North Georgians impacted by job loss. Funds are administered through the Dalton Organization of Churches United for People, DOC-UP.
Organizer Paul Byrum said more than $10,000 was raised for DOC-UP last year to help families with rent and utility assistance.
According to director Betty Brant, DOC-UP assisted 1,600-plus families, and the number of requests is growing.
“The extra funds generated from this project will help to keep families from being evicted from their homes or having their utility services disconnected,” she said.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
* G2: The band’s name identifies them as second-generation musicians. Each member of the band has a father or uncle who plays bluegrass and country music. Members are Christoffer Olsson (guitar and lead vocals), Tobias Stromberg (Dobro and vocals), Jimmy Sunnebrandt (bass and vocals), Erik Igelstrom (mandolin) and Jens Koch (banjo).
* The Hillbenders: The Hillbenders, who came together in March 2008, won the 2009 Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition in Colorado. Members of the group are Mark Cassidy (banjo), Gary Rea (bass), Jim Rea (guitar), Nolan Lawrence (mandolin) and Chad “Gravy Boat” Graves (Dobro). Their debut album, “Down to My Last Dollar,” features Jeremy Garrett of The Infamous Stringdusters on fiddle.
* Gold Heart: At the core of this quintet are three sisters: Analise (mandolin, lead and harmony vocals), Jocelyn (rhythm guitar, lead and harmony vocals) and Shelby Gold (fiddle, lead and harmony vocals). They perform with their dad, Trent Gold (upright bass), and Russ Carson (banjo). The girls are accomplished songwriters and award-winning musicians.
* The Dismembered Tennesseans: Formed by several McCallie students in 1945, the band still includes original members Fletcher Bright (fiddle) and Ed “Doc” Cullis (banjo). Also contributing to the sound are Laura Walker (upright bass), Bobby Martin (guitar), Don Cassell (mandolin), Brian Blaylock (mandolin and Dobro), George Bright (flattop guitar) and, occasionally, Ansley Moses (multi-instrumentalist).