What more can we say? Nine-time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year, Michael Cleveland and his band Flamekeeper are also the 2007-2009 IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year. He is simply one of the best fiddlers in bluegrass history, backed by an equally amazing group of musicians. The Flamekeepers currently include Ashby Frank (mandolin), Blake Bowen (bass), Glenn Gibson (banjo), and Charlie Lawson (guitar).

Blue Highway

Blue Highway is indisputably one of the most esteemed and influential groups in contemporary bluegrass. The band's nine exceptional albums and compelling live performances give proof to the stellar reviews, Grammy nominations, and numerous awards earned by the band since it first took the stage on December 31, 1994, with the same musicians that comprise Blue Highway today. Individually, Jason Burleson (banjo, guitar, mandolin), Rob Ickes (13-time IBMA Dobro Player of the Year), Shawn Lane (mandolin, fiddle, vocals), Tim Stafford (guitar, vocals), and Wayne Taylor (bass, vocals) are masters of their respective roles. Together, in Stafford's words, they are “a democracy in the best sense of the word”: five gifted artists selflessly merging their talents into a seamlessly brilliant group sound.

Former Bluegrass Boy and Bostonite Bill Keith is a banjo legend, the creator of the melodic banjo style and a major influence to banjo pickers worldwide. His collaboration with guitarist Jim Rooney started in college at Amherst back in 1958, where they began playing together on campus and in local coffeehouses. Later they formed the Kentuckians with Frank Wakefield and Red Allen, and continued their collaboration in the 70's and 80', including the New Velvet Band with Eric Weissberg and Kenny Kosek. Having them back together again at Joe Val will be a real treat! Click here for additional bio info

"There's nothing like playing music to bring a family together," says Sharon White, but that's not exactly right; over 30 years have shown that the music of The Whites - sisters, Sharon and Cheryl, and father Buck - has just as much power to bring audiences together in a feeling that resembles that of one giant, extended family. Inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1984, The Whites have entertained and inspired for decades. They were part of the "Oh, Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack, and have IBMA and Grammy awards to their credit. In 2008 they were inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.

Mandolin virtuoso and vocalist Sierra Hull is simply amazing. In 2011 she was nominated as IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year and along with her band nominated for Emerging Artist of the Year. She's relocated to Boston, entering Berklee College of Music on a Presidential Scholarship. Her fluid, inventive picking and expressive vocals are a pleasure to behold. If you haven't seen Sierra perform live, you're in for a treat. Her band Highway 111 includes Jacob Eller (bass), Christian Ward (fiddle), and Clay Hess (guitar).

Darin and Brooke Aldridge are beautiful young newlyweds who
sing and play a rich combination of bluegrass, bluegrass gospel,
and country duets certain to please fans on any stage. They were recently nominated for the IBMA 2011 Emerging Artist of the Year award. Darin played with the Country Gentlemen for 7 years, and Brooke has won several singing competitions. Joining them are Rachel Renee Johnson  (fiddle), Chris Bryant (banjo), and Dwayne Anderson (bass).

Josh Williams is a rising star on the bluegrass scene, and 2008 and 2009 IBMA Guitar Player of the Year. A multi-instrumentalist and powerful vocalist, Josh spent 4 years as the guitar player for Rhonda Vincent before starting his own band. Joining Josh is Randy Barnes (bass), and Jason McKendree (banjo).

Joe Sings Joe

Joe Singleton has long admired the style that Joe Val brought to Bluegrass music, this performance, as was past years, is a tribute to the high tenor vocals and no nonsense hard-driving bluegrass that made Joe Val special.  The band features Joe Singleton on lead and tenor vocals and two members of Joe Val’s New England Bluegrass Boys, Dave Dillon, and Eric Levenson.  Dave Dillon continues to provide audiences throughout the region with his wonderful guitar and vocals backed by Eric Levenson’s fantastic bass playing.  Returning to the line-up is NE Banjo champion Rich Stillman, and John Roc on mandolin. Joining the show this year will be Laura Orshaw playing the fiddle and and special guest Sky Travis on Dobro! The hope is to capture the spirit of the Joe Val experience at the festival that bears his name.

Flatt Lonesome is a hot, new band of young pickers from Georgia that grew out of a family gospel band Sandy Creek Revival. They formed in January 2011 and one month later placed 3rd in the SPBGMA International Band Championship in Nashville. Not bad for the band’s very first time on stage!  They also impressed bluegrass fans at the IBMA convention last fall.

While deeply-rooted in bluegrass music’s historic classics, they also have an energetic flair for country sounds, progressive jams, and soul-stirring gospel music while never forsaking their traditional essence.  If you love high lonesome harmony, soaring sibling vocals and powerful bluegrass music, then you will love Flatt Lonesome! The band includes Kelsi Robertson (mandolin), Buddy Robertson (banjo), Charli Robertson (fiddl), Dominic Illingworth (bass), Michael Stockton (dobro), and Brian Andrews (guitar).

The Reunion Band features veterans of the Boston bluegrass scene, and have played the Joe Val festival several times before. Richie Brown (mandolin) and Margaret Gerteis (bass) have both played with Apple Country and Dave Dillon (guitar) was a member of Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys for seven years. Art Schatz (fiddle) and Richard Underwood (banjo) have been featured with many local bands over the years, and Richard was one of the original Johnson Mountain Boys, as well as playing with Bob Paisley. The band, which has been around since 2002, takes its name from the fact that its members have played together off and on and in various configurations for over 30 years.

The powerhouse duo of Amy Gallatin and renowned resophonic guitarist Roger Williams joined forces a few years ago to explore their mutual love of country standards, served up with an acoustic treatment in the bluegrass vein. The result is a toe-tapping blend of heartfelt vocals, soaring harmonies and red-hot picking, traditional yet modern and distinct.  The two are enhanced by the recent addition of Roger's son J.D. Williams, who--in the time-honored tradition of musical consanguinity--complements his father's style perfectly, and by veteran bassist Eric Levenson, formerly with Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys and later with Boston City Limits.