Bluegrass blowout: Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival

“Timing is everything with this festival,” said Joe Mullins, organizer of the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival. “So many artists we have are all in the spotlight nationally for having new albums out or special projects going on so it’ll be a great bluegrass gathering.”

THE EVENT

The Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival returns to the Roberts Centre in Wilmington on Friday and Saturday, March 24 and 25. Doors open at 10 a.m. each day and music begins at noon.

“There’s no place like home, and the Roberts Centre is home,” Mullins said. “It’s always like a family reunion when the Radio Ramblers invite some of our favorite nationally-known artists to entertain our regional fan base.”

THE TALENT

This installment of the twice-yearly event features Dailey & Vincent, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Flatt Lonesome, Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show, the Gibson Brothers, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers and others.

“We have the Gibson Brothers returning for the first time in years,” Mullins said. “They’ve been entertainer of the year for the IBMA a couple of times and they just released a brand new CD a few weeks ago. We’re in the final two weeks of the 25th anniversary tour for Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out. He’s the most awarded male vocalist in the bluegrass genre. Dailey & Vincent just became the newest members inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. They’re one of the hottest acts in all types of music and they’re headlining our show on Saturday night.

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“Flatt Lonesome is back on Friday night and they’re the hottest young act in bluegrass,” Mullins said. “I bet the average age of everybody on their stage is only like 25, but they have quickly produced two or three of the top-selling albums in bluegrass the last few years. Their most recent album won album of the year last year and song of the year and vocal group of the year too.”

THE FIRST-TIMERS

Heidi and Ryan, the husband-and-wife duo from Kentucky, is among the acts making their debut appearances at the festival this weekend. Other first-time performers include Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show, which produces a live concert in the style of an old radio program, and Sideline, a super-group featuring Steve Dilling, Skip Cherryholmes and other pickers from North Carolina.

THE FUTURE

The fall installment of the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival is Nov. 10 and 11. Rue Farms Rustic Potato Chips is the presenting sponsor of the event and Mullins’ Classic Country Radio is the media sponsor.

MORE MUSIC NEAR YOU: Dayton.com gets you there.


WANT TO GO?

What: The Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival with Dailey & Vincent, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Flatt Lonesome and others

Where: Roberts Centre, 123 Gano Road, Wilmington

When: Noon, Friday and Saturday, March 24 and 25. Doors open at 10 a.m.

Cost: Advance general admission tickets are $35 per day or $65 two-day general admission, $75 two-day reserved seating. Tickets at the door are $40 per day, $70 two-day general admission, $75 two-day reserved seating. $10 two-day child reserved seating in advance and at the door. General admission tickets for children 16 and younger are free.

More info: 937-372-5804 or www.somusicfest.com

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