Bluegrass Heritage Foundation founded to educate and entertain public

by PegNews wire

The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the formation of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Dallas, Texas. The Foundation’s mission is to preserve and promote the heritage of bluegrass music in America, with an emphasis on Texas and the southwestern United States. The Foundation seeks to educate the public about bluegrass music through programs and workshops, public performances of bluegrass music, and similar programs.

The Foundation is managed by a five-member board of directors presently consisting of Alan Tompkins and Gerald Jones (co-founders of the Frisco Bluegrass Festival), Richard Tucker (founder of the Argyle Bluegrass Festival), Cliff Fitch of Fitch Banjos (Azle, Texas), and Raleigh Newsam (a Dallas attorney and bluegrass enthusiast).

The Foundation held its inaugural event, a fundraising benefit concert featuring The Special Consensus and Blue Moon Drive, on May 3, 2008. The venue was the historic Sons of Hermann Hall near downtown Dallas. Current IBMA President Greg Cahill (founder of The Special Consensus) and his band entertained the crowd throughout the fun-filled musical evening.

“The pleasure was truly ours,” said Cahill. “We were honored to be featured for the Foundation’s inaugural event. We certainly enjoyed the evening, the wonderfully responsive audience, and the great music of Blue Moon Drive. I hope we can work together again to support the Foundation.”

Additionally, the Foundation is excited to announce the first annual Bluegrass Heritage Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6 at South Oaks Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas. Appearing at the festival will be Mark Phillips & Third Generation, Hickory Hill, Blue River, Warren Hull & Acoux Deville, Blue Moon Drive (featuring The Gerald Jones), Ellis County Bluegrass, Salt Rock Rounders, and more. The Festival will also include banjo, mandolin, guitar, and songwriting instructional workshops.

For more information about the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation or the Bluegrass Heritage Festival, visit BluegrassHeritage.org.

Source: Bluegrass Heritage Foundation