The one day event features The Del McCoury Band, The Tony Rice Unit, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, No Strings Attached and Al Batten and the Bluegrass Reunion. A portion of the proceeds from the event go directly to Stop Hunger Now. Since 1998, Stop Hunger Now has coordinated the distribution of food and other lifesaving aid to children and families in countries all over the world. Through its meal packaging program, Operation Sharehouse, SHN has perfected the assembly process that combines rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and flavoring mix including 21 essential vitamins and minerals into small meal packets. It operates meal packaging programs from its Sharehouse locations in Raleigh, Goldsboro and Charlotte, NC, as well as South Hill and Lynchburg, VA.
An innovative project, the Carolina Bluegrass Festival seeks to mobilize the community around bluegrass music all for a worthy cause. "North Carolina is one of the birthplaces of bluegrass," explains Hank Smith, banjoist for No Strings Attached, one of the featured acts for the Festival. "To summon the top names in the genre for this event, all for the benefit of an organization that seeks to solve one of the foremost problems in the world today speaks volumes for the musicians in the bluegrass community as well as the fans who support them." And support them they do. The last Heybro event, "Pickin For the Pets", a benefit for the Wake Co. SPCA held at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC brought in over $1500 for the organization directly from donations from attendees.
The Heybro Productions team effectively mobilized vast areas of the community to raise awareness for Stop Hunger Now, gain the support of investors and sponsors and most of all, to bring a quality, family-oriented, large-scale bluegrass concert to the Raleigh area. "The Triangle has always been a very family-friendly, bluegrass oriented place full of musicians and fans alike," states Scott McLain, founder and CEO of Heybro Productions. "Its our goal to bring all these folks together for a common purpose and promote awareness, but also to provide a great concert with some of the best bands in bluegrass." The festival will feature food, drink and craft vendors, a kids area as well as reserved Gold Circle Seating and VIP areas.
Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster, at the box office and through the festival website: www.carolinabluegrassfestival.com
