Bluegrass Band Rocks Pearlstone Center Barn

The large barn was a warm haven on a frosty evening, complete with local fare and some good tunes. The music was provided by Smooth Kentucky, who played their unique take on Kentucky bluegrass on Friday, Jan. 14, at the Pearlstone Center.

Guests, who were there attending Future Harvest's conference on sustainable agriculture, got into the band's folk sound, which is rooted in bluegrass with blues and rock influences. Thirty minutes into the show, many audience members had flocked to the dance floor to enjoy and sing along to bluegrass versions of favorites like "Folsom Prison Blues," "Lay Down Sally"and "Amy."

Attendee Dick Mansberger didn't expect what he heard.

“It’s not the traditional bluegrass I’m used to, but I like it,” he said. "[Smooth Kentucky is] what I would use to describe their music.”

After the show, the band sat down with Patch to discuss what they have been up to and their plans moving forward after a heavy loss. The line up was a bit light for this show since the band was missing some key players. Mandolin player B.J. Lazaurs is currently backpacking through Kenya and another member passed away recently.

The band lost nationally-known, award-winning dobro player Dave Giegerich in December when he died from heart failure. Giegerich was part of the original Smooth Kentucky line-up when they formed in 2002. He had been playing dobro and steel guitar since the early 70s, was a founding member of the Hula Monsters and also played with several recognizable artists including Eva Cassidy, Arty Hill and the Long Gone Daddies and Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Despite their loss, the band was happy to be on stage again at the Pearlstone Center. Fiddle player Patrick McAvinue said they really enjoy playing there.

“This is a beautiful set up, they should do more shows here,” fiddle player Patrick McAvinue said.

McAvinue filled in for Lazaurs on the mandolin but switched to the fiddle towards the end of the show.

Ed Hough, guitarist and vocalist, briefly spoke about plans for the next album, where the band might try something new.

“We’re thinking about doing a guest record where you bring in one guest for each tune,” he said. “And whatever instrument they play is the focus of the tune. Writing and recording to that would be kind of fun and interesting.”

The next show for Smooth Kentucky will be on Feb. 17 at Mick O’Sheas in  Baltimore City. The band played a number of venues and festivals around the Baltimore area including Farm Fest, the Love and Music Fest and Rams Head Live.

For more information on Smooth Kentucky, visit their Facebook page here.