Cherokee Bluegrass Festival: You Won’t Believe This Lineup!

More than a dozen acclaimed musicians from all over the world will converge in Cherokee, North Carolina, June 8–10 for the 2017 Cherokee Bluegrass Festival. The mountains of Cherokee will echo with the sounds of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, and other signature bluegrass instruments, as well as clapping and stomping from the fans who love it.

It won’t just be adults having all the fun. Children are also encouraged to attend. “This is a family-oriented music show,” says Norman Adams, co-organizer with wife Judy, of Adams Bluegrass, LLC. He’s been coordinating this event for about 27 years, although his experience with bluegrass festivals dates back 43 years.

The Lineup

Thursday’s lineup features Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier, Volume Five, Feller & Hill and The Bluegrass Buckaroos, and Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers. Old Friends (Doyle Lawson & Paul Williams) will perform a 90-minute show at 3:15 p.m. and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver will perform a 90-minute show beginning at 9 p.m.

On Friday, guests will enjoy Breaking Grass, The Farm Hands (SPGBMA Award Winners), The Little Roy & Lizzy Show, The Crowe Brothers, and Rhonda Vincent and The Rage. Also featured will be Country Music Legend Gene Watson and The Farewell Party Band performing a 90-minute show at 8:30 p.m. with special guest Rhonda Vincent.

Come back on Saturday to experience Deeper Shade of Blue, The Harris Brothers, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, Nothin’ Fancy, and The VW Boys with a 90-minute show by Dailey & Vincent at 8:30 p.m.

Stars from Near & Far

These performers are well respected in the industry. Dailey and Vincent were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry earlier this year. A masterful entertainer from Houston, Texas, Gene Watson earned the title of 2010 Country Music Legend of the Year from Citadel Media’s Real Country Radio Network nationwide fan vote. The Wall Street Journal called Rhonda Vincent “the new Queen of Bluegrass,” and she’s taken home the title of Female Vocalist of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association eight times. 

Reigning Mandolin Player of the Year by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA), Doyle Lawson (pictured here with band, Quick Silver) has lost count of how many times he’s performed at this festival. He says two of the many reasons he returns each year are because “it's a well produced event by Mr. Adams and the beautiful setting in the valley surrounded by the mountains gives me a sense of peace and contentment.” He adds that he always looks forward to seeing friends and fans he may not have seen in awhile.

Does your band want to join in on the fun? A one-hour-long open stage precedes the lineup each day from 11 a.m. to noon. At this time, bluegrass bands with their instruments are invited to perform onstage.

Park Your RV for the Weekend

While guests are welcome to drive to the festival each day, organizers are also encouraging folks to stay on the campground for the weekend. Happy Holiday RV Village and Campground has more than 400 hookups, including water, electric, and bathhouses. Please bring lawn chairs. No high back chairs or rockers are allowed, and no pets or alcoholic beverages are allowed in the concert area.

Want to Come?

WHEN: Thursday through Saturday, June 8–10, 2017. Times are noon to 10:30 p.m. daily.

WHERE: Happy Holiday RV Village and Campground at 1553 Wolfetown Road in Cherokee, NC.

COST: Daily ticket prices are $40 for adults in advance until June 1, then $45 at the gate.  A three-day adult ticket is $90 in advance and $95 at the gate. Advance tickets for children ages 7-15 are $15 per day or three days for $45.00, and the at-the-gate price is $50. Children under 7 can enter for free when accompanied by parents. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here or calling 706.864.7203.

Food vendors will be onsite all weekend long. CDs and merchandise from the performers will also be available for purchase. (Rhonda Vincent is pictured on the left.)