Two pairs of artists are performing at Barking Legs Theater this weekend to present memorable nights of bluegrass and romance.
Acoustic guitar superstar David Grier teams with rising mandolin star Casey Campbell on Friday, May 10. Then on Saturday, May 11, crooner Rishard partners with pianist Dave Walters for an evening of romance. Both shows will start at 8 p.m.
Grier is one of the most honored and influential guitarists to come out of the tradition of bluegrass music. He is known for his extraordinary technique and unending creativity.
Bluegrass was very much in the Grier family. David's father, Lamar Grier, played banjo in the band of Bill Monroe. David began playing guitar at age 6, with instruction coming from Roland White; and through Roland, the influence of the iconic Clarence White helped form his style.
Grier has performed and recorded with many of the greatest bluegrass and newgrass musicians of the past 30 years. He was a founding member of Psychograss, as well as the recently debuted supergroup, the Helen Highwater String Band. He has been on four Grammy Award-winning albums, including "True Life Blues," a Bill Monroe tribute. In 2000, Acoustic Guitar Magazine recognized Grier as one of the Artists of the Decade. He's been named Guitar Player of the Year three times by the International Bluegrass Music Association.
"David Grier was one of the first artists we presented when we began musical seasons in 1997," says Barking Legs Music Director Bruce Kaplan.
Guitarist David Grier will team up with mandolin star Casey Campbell for a bluegrass show Friday night. / Facebook.com Photo"He always brings great talent with him when he collaborates. In 2005, he introduced us to Noam Pikelny, who has gone on to be honored as one of the great banjo players of his generation. I'm anticipating that this concert with Casey Campbell will bring back memories of that legendary show."
Tickets are $18 in advance on the Barking Legs website: www.barkinglegs.org. Tickets at the door will be $20.
Barking Legs patrons may remember that for Valentine's Day 2018, jazz vocalist Rishard and pianist David Walters teamed up at the theater for an evening of music designed to get people romantically involved ... on the dance floor, that is. That show is being reprised on Saturday night.
"Rishard just oozes old-school romance, and David accompanies him exquisitely," says Kaplan.
"Our state-of-the-art dance floor will be dimly lit, and seating will be cabaret-style. You'll get a champagne cocktail and one of Ann Law's legendary desserts with your ticket. Additional champagne will be available for a modest price. Old school, cheek-to-cheek delight. No lessons are needed for this one."
Audience members are welcome to take to the floor, or they can just sit back and enjoy the music and the spectacle.
Tickets are $25.
Barking Legs is located at 1307 Dodds Ave. For more information: 423-624-LEGS.