Sam Bush to Play The Ridgefield Playhouse, 7/19

The story of contemporary bluegrass would not be complete without the story of Sam Bush. From a fiddle contest champ in the '60s, to his time with Bluegrass Alliance in the '70s -- and the launch of New Grass Revival -- to Strength In Numbers and Emmylou Harris & the Nash Ramblers in the late '80s, and finally his solo career from the '90s forward, Bush has been an icon and champion of modern bluegrass and acoustic music -- paving the way for modern acoustic jam bands.

Not many artists can lay claim to pioneering a new genre of music -- yet for countless potential fans, the "Father of Newgrass" still remains an unknown legend. He is "the" mandolin player of our generation. Bush has expanded the horizons of bluegrass music, fusing it with jazz, rock, blues, funk and other styles. And though he is best known for jaw-dropping skills on the mandolin, he is also a Grammy award winning vocalist.

As part of the Northeast Builders of Ridgefield, LLC Country Series and xfinity Rock Series, Sam Bush and his killer band perform at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Sunday, July 19, at 8 p.m.

Sam Bush has recorded and rubbed shoulders with nearly every critical figure in the genre. With Alan Munde in Poor Richard's Almanac and Sam & Alan; with Tony Rice in Bluegrass Alliance and Manzanita; with Mark O'Connor and Edgar Meyer in Strength In Numbers; with Béla Fleck in New Grass Revival. He's also collaborated with Alison Krauss, Del McCoury, John Hartford, Doc Watson, Dolly Parton, Scott Vestal, and many, many others. Sam has received multiple awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, Americana Music Association, and the Grammy's, and continues to draw sellout crowds at festivals and concerts all over the US.

Visit Bailey's Backyard (23 Bailey Ave., Ridgefield) and receive 10% off dinner the night of this event when tickets are presented. Media sponsor for the show is 90.7fm WFUV -- where Bush has often been a featured artist.

The 63 year Bush is also the subject of an independent documentary titled, Revival: The Sam Bush Story. Co-directed by Kris Wheeler and Wayne Franklin, the film premiered earlier this year at the Nashville Film Festival. It features many of Sam's collaborators, including Alison Krauss, John Oates, Emmylou Harris, Béla Fleck, David Grisman, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Jeff Hanna, Avett Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass, Steep Canyon Rangers, Peter Rowan, and members of the Sam Bush Band. So where does Father of Newgrass fit in the new world of acoustic music? While musicians he inspired reach levels of stardom Sam never did, his challenge is to remain relevant: one show at a time. "Too old to be young and too young to be an old legend," is how Sam describes himself.

For tickets ($47.50), call the box office at 203-438-5795 or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.

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