Fans of traditional bluegrass gospel music may enjoy the annual homecoming for the Lewis Family, one of America's oldest and longest-running bluegrass Gospel families. The festival takes place in early May in Lincolnton, Georgia, with two days of bluegrass Gospel music. Known as America's "First Family of of Bluegrass Gospel," the group has also been recognized and honored by the Georgia state legislature for their achievements. According to Lewis Family Music, the origins of "Mom and Pop's" bluegrass music band started in 1951 and rose to "prominence as an icon of bluegrass Gospel music."
The Gospelgrass Festival is held in the last weekend in June at the El Paso County Fairgrounds in Calhan, Colorado, which is about 30 miles east of Colorado Springs on Highway 24. The festival is free and open to the public although camping spots must be paid for and reserved in advance by contacting the fairgrounds at 719- 520-7880. Games at the festival are open to all ages and include human foosball and ultimate Frisbee. Vendors will also be available to serve burgers and hot dogs throughout the weekend. Other events include a silent auction, an open mic contest, a songwriting contest and a barn dance.
Bluegrass music aficionados may also consider the Dollywood Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee), which is held during the last two weeks of August going into September. The festival is set in the Southern-styled theme park known as Dollywood, which recently won the Golden Tickets' 2007 Publisher's Pick for best theme park. One of the highlights of the festival include four concerts by Grammy Award-winning Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Known as the "official ambassador of bluegrass music," Ricky Skaggs has deep roots in bluegrass Gospel music, which is reflected in his most recent Gospel music release, entitled "Mosaic." The festival features 20 different acts daily as well as an exhibition of all forms of barbecue.
The Music in the Mountains Bluegrass Festival is set in Summersville, West Virginia, and is one of the biggest Bluegrass festivals in the nation, spanning four days of music featuring over 24 acts. The first day's headlining act, known as Dailey and Vincent, recently won the Gospel Music Association's 2011 Dove Award for best album. According to NP Telegraph, Daily and Vincent's performance combines family entertainment and high energy with traditional bluegrass, Gospel and a "dash of Southern humor." Other Gospel performers include the Primitive Quartet, The Lewis Tradition and Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.
