Sierra Hull Bluegrass Festival set for October 12 in Byrdstown

BYRDSTOWN, TN -- The town of Byrdstown, TN is in high gear planning for its 11th Annual Sierra Hull Bluegrass Festival which will take place on Saturday, October 12, 2013.

Returning to her home town for the festival will be Sierra Hull, a bluegrass singer, songwriter, mandolinist and guitarist. Byrdstown will welcome Sierra home with an all-star lineup of bluegrass artists to perform at this year's festival which include Cody Hull & Vertical Limit, Cumberland River, and Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers.

Cody Hull & Vertical Limit hit the scene in May 2012 with their synchronized and tasteful musicianship, tight vocal arrangements, and hard driven "new grass" vibe. They have proved their worth as skilled musicians by satisfying their audiences every time. Cody Hull & Vertical Limit are emerging as a leading light in a new generation of bluegrass bands.

Cumberland River is a national touring bluegrass band based in Harlan, Kentucky. Their original songs have been featured on the hit TV show, JUSTIFIED airing on the FX Network. The band actually began in 2009. Early on, they decided they would have to write their own material to ensure their music would appeal to both the younger generation as well as the fans of more traditional, bluegrass music. As evidenced by reviews from media and radio, plus their growing number of loyal fans and at recent SOLD OUT SHOWS, they have certainly accomplished that goal.

Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers brought home IBMA's "Emerging Artist of The Year" (2012). Mullins has earned 5 IBMA Awards and 3 SPBGMA Awards over the past two decades. Their latest album reached the Billboard Bluegrass and Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine Top Ten. Their song "Bottom of The Mountain" reached #1 nationwide (Dec 2012). They were also named the #1 Most Played Bluegrass Album on Satellite Radio (Dec 2012, March 2013). Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers have an energetic mix of quality Bluegrass and Gospel music, a professional presentation, inventive instrumental work, and a wide variety of vocal arrangements including a capella quartets and tasteful, down-home humor.

The star of the festival each year is none other than Byrdstown's very own Sierra Hull. Boundaries—age, genre or otherwise, doesn’t hamper an artist like Sierra Hull. She’s already earned considerable respect in the bluegrass world. The IBMA’s voting members having nominated her for no fewer than seven awards over four years, there’s a good chance she’ll be the first woman to win the mandolin category. As a player, a singer and a songwriter, Sierra has remarkable range, the potential to win over ears unfamiliar with Bill Monroe and give performances of broad cultural importance, as she’s done at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and the National Prayer Breakfast. In May 2011, Sierra completed a two-year degree at Berklee College of Music in Boston on a full, Presidential Scholarship. Matt Glaser—head of Berklee’s American Roots Music Program—put it this way: "She has no limitations as a musician."

This year’s festival will take place at 109 West Main Street in downtown Byrdstown, TN. The day’s events will also include a 5K walk/Run to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a Cruise-In to benefit "HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS" and a motorcycle exhibition by Guiness Book of World Records holder Jesse Toler. To find out more, please visit www.sierrahullfestival.com, on Facebook under Sierra Hull Bluegrass Festival, or call Town Hall at 931-864-6215.

Published September 8, 2013