One of the most popular attractions at The Russell Theatre in Lebanon, The Clinch Concert Series, returns this weekend.
The series, which features some of the nation’s best bluegrass artists, will feature The Dirty Grass Players this Saturday at 7 p.m.
“Boy, do we have a good one for you,” states Shane Farmer, Director of The Russell Theatre. “With a nod to the past and a wink to the future from behind their sunglasses, Baltimore’s The Dirty Grass Players have been pushing the leading edge of bluegrass music since 2015.”
DGP began when founding members Ben Kolakowski and Ryan Rogers began jamming together. Once the full band was put together, DGP quickly made a name for itself in the Baltimore, Maryland area.
Since that time, DGP has traveled across the United States, as well as Europe, playing festivals such as Grey Fox, DelFest, Dark Star Jubilee, ROMP, Bristol Rhythm and Roots, and the Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival.
DGP blends traditional bluegrass with elements of southern rock, improvisation and classic jam bands.
The band has two studio albums to date, 2020’s “Beneath the Woodpile” and “Shiny Side Up” which was released in 2023.
Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine’s Tim Newby stated, “’Shiny Side Up’ perfectly captures the high-octane energy of their live shows which they have become known for. This is best exhibited by ‘Shiny Side Up’ and ‘Riptide’ (featuring fiddler Jason Carter) both which allow the Dirty Grass Players to showcase the strength of the band and what they do best, simply letting loose and ripping.”
Newby added, “The murder ballad ‘Bound to Die’ closes the album, which is appropriate as it and the opening ‘Shiny Side Up’ are the most complete songs on the album, both with their lyrical and musical composition. Both songs also best represent the dual nature of the Dirty Grass Players and the music, that ability to stay true to the roots of bluegrass while at the same time giving a peek into the soul of a string band who is known to play everything from Pink Floyd to Lorde to the Grateful Dead with stunning conviction in their sets. ‘Shiny Side Up’ validates the arrival of the Dirty Grass Players onto the scene and shows bluegrass is in good hands going forward.”
