Join us for our third annual “Kick-off party and Band Competition.” Last year was a huge success and a great way to lead us into the Festival on Saturday. This year promises to be even better! The event will be held at the Hardee’s at 2780 Keith Street NW in Cleveland. We will have a live US101 remote on-site, as well as some of the area’s finest ‘amateur’ bluegrass bands dueling it out to win a chance to open our 2008 Festival at Tri-State Exhibition Center the next day. Again in 2009, the evening will end with an all-star set by members of two of the areas hottest bands, Just Us and Hiwassee Ridge. And of course, there will be plenty of delicious food available at Hardee’s during the event. Y’all come!

	CHERRYHOLMES With their roots based in bluegrass, Celtic, and jazz music, Cherryholmes has stormed to the top of the music world since winning the 2005 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Award for Entertainer of the Year.
	GRASSTOWNE Grasstowne is a band comprised of three very well respected veterans in bluegrass and acoustic music. Phil Leadbetter and Steve Gulley have known each other since the mid-1970s when they performed in local bands in the Knoxville, TN area while in their teens. It was during this time through their friendship their paths crossed with mandolin ace Alan Bibey.
	BLUE MOON RISING "Blue Moon Rising is without a doubt the most intriguing and original new band I've heard. These guys have it all. They write most everything they sing and play and do so with a flair and style that sets them apart from the usual bluegrass fare.” ~ Steve Gulley, Mountain Heart
	LONE MOUNTAIN BAND Original and Traditional instrumentals and vocals always with a deep respect for the traditional music of the Appalachians.		FRIDAY NIGHT'S BAND COMPETITION WINNER!
HIWASSEE RIDGE & JUST US BLUEGRASS BAND... ...and more to be announced!