DON RIGSBY – FIRST AUSTRALIAN TOUR
From remote Isonville, KY, to an international following in Bluegrass music, Don Rigsby has remained true to his mountain roots and made his own marks as a powerful tenor and distinctive mandolin player.
Don grew up listening to early Ralph Stanley records and to the high lonesome sounds of his cousin Ricky Skaggs, learning from those who went before him and then adding his own personal touches. Also influenced by the late Keith Whitley, another Elliott County native, Don comes from a family and community of traditional musicians.
He has sung since he can remember, started playing guitar at age 12, added the mandolin and fiddle, and plays dulcimer. For his sixth birthday, Don was taken to the Paramount Arts Center in nearby Ashland, KY, to hear his hero Ralph Stanley perform “Little Maggie” and got an unforgettable bonus when Keith Whitley came out to the audience, hoisted young Don onto his shoulders, and carried him backstage to meet Ralph for the first time.
Don emerged onto the national scene as a member of The Bluegrass Cardinals, played with JD Crowe and The New South, and was a member of the award-winning Lonesome River Band. The two-time Grammy nominee and two-time SPBGMA Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year shared three IBMA Awards while performing with Longview and sang on a Grammy-winning album by rocker John Fogerty.
A sought after producer, session musician and singer, Rigsby most recently appears on International Country Star, Alan Jackson’s ‘The Bluegrass Album’ singing all the tenor parts. Last week he played Carnegie Hall with Jackson and appeared on David Letterman. Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4jdefl2JS4
Don has released five solo albums.
His latest release is a tribute to his hero Ralph Stanley. The title is “Doctor’s Orders” and features special guests Larry Sparks, Charlie Sizemore, Ricky Skaggs and Doctor Ralph himself!
FEATURING – Davidson Brothers Band
Three-time Golden Guitar winning act, the Davidson Brothers have firmly carved their contemporary acoustic style into the Australian music scene.
Having performed together for over 20 years, Hamish and Lachlan have each toured as sidemen with major country artists, together they’ve become regulars on many National festivals as well as touring Australia extensively, Europe and the USA. They even appeared on the Ryman in Nashville at the 2010 International Bluegrass Music Awards.
Winner of multiple Australian National Bluegrass Championship titles on Fiddle, Banjo and Mandolin, the Davidson Brothers have established the Australian Youth Bluegrass Scholarship to encourage excellence and leadership in bluegrass amongst young musicians.
Described by Lee Kernaghan as “two of the greatest musicians in this country”, the Davidson Brothers deliver rapid-fire high energy acoustic music.
Long known as festival favourites, they’ve also introduced a whole new generation to the genre through airplay on many youth oriented commerical and community radio programs around Australia, including Triple J.SPECIAL GUESTS (Spotted Mallard show only) – The Company (QLD)
Boasting two Australian Bluegrass champions on guitar, fiddle and banjo, The Company have a passion for high-energy original acoustic music. From fast finger-picking to soulful songs with sweet harmonies – these blokes do it all. Highly regarded for their fervor and originality, they’ve appeared at festivals all around Australia and the UK and have been featured on local ABC radio in Brisbane with Richard Fidler and National ABC radio with Lucky Oceans and the Daily Planet.
GIG DATES:
Tuesday 19th November, 2103 – Bendigo Bank Theatre, Bendigo VIC
Thursday 21st November, 2013 – Spotted Mallard, Brunswick (Melbourne) VIC
Friday 22nd November, 2013 – MountainGrass Bluegrass Festival, Harrietville VIC
Saturday 23rd November, 2013 – MountainGrass Bluegrass Festival, Harrietville VIC
