I need suggestions on NC Bluegrass... (Durham, Hillsborough: purchasing, live in, family friendly)

[NC gal (aka Oregon gal)]

My dad's birthday is coming up and since I'm new to the area, I was
wondering if anyone had some suggestions on local bluegrass CD's
I could get for him?

Thanks everyone!

[raleighjayne]

Chatham County Line is a great band. Rook and Wood if they are still together. Also, anything by Doc Watson is great and very important in bluegrass. The Grass Cats (I think that's the name).

My favorite, though, is the Kruger Brothers. They are originally from Switzerland but now live in North Wilkesboro, NC. They are amazing.

If your dad is around the last weekend of April, you could take him to MerleFest out in Wilkesboro. Its a 4 day festival of bluegrass and americana music. There's about 10 different stages with acts going on at the same time. Its a lot of fun and very family friendly.

[mdp_az]

raleighjayne is right on the money with that post. MerleFest is a festival that anyone who enjoys Americana and bluegrass should attend at least once.

I'd strongly recommend Chatham County Line and Doc Watson.

[uncletupelo]

ricky scaggs, peter rowan are great. My all time favorite is the original Will The Circle Be Unbroken disc that came out in the early seventies.

[dcgrl]

Check out Durham's own Carolina Chocolate Drops. MySpace.com - Carolina Chocolate Drops - DURHAM, North Carolina - Acoustic / Folk / Bluegrass - www.myspace.com/carolinachocolatedrops
They're an old-time string band and are awesome.
Please also consider browsing/purchasing something from Music Maker Relief Foundation Music Maker Relief Foundation - Keeping the Bluest of the Blues Alive It's an organization in Hillsborough that provides relief to traditional musicians (mostly blues but other genres, too) in North Carolina and elsewhere (relief in the form of monetary aid to support their daily expenses as well as recording/marketing their music) The people who run this organization are as incredible as the musicians they aid.
Music Maker Relief Foundation - Keeping the Bluest of the Blues Alive

[cary native]

New Vintage is another great local bluegrass band that has made it big. They still play sometimes at Fat Daddy's on Glenwood ave.

[rachaelb]

Not local to NC, but a band I like is the Surf Road Project...check out their myspace

[vq1]

Heard these at a festival the other week, just down the road from Doc Watson. Did a double look to see if they were actually the performers as the bluegrass was so good.

Here is their site where you can listen to them and it has the details for purchasing the CD

MySpace.com - Sweetbriar Jam - lenoir, North Carolina - Bluegrass / Gospel - www.myspace.com/sweetbriarjam

The fiddle player is now eight years old. I believe the eldest is in his early teens. Bought the cd and greatly enjoy the instrumentals.

[ChipL]

The Wells Family, I think based in Johnston, are incredible. Google them for their site and sample some of their stuff.

[cary native]

Oh yeah, Al Batten and The Bluegrass Reunion out of Shoe Heel (Jo. Co.)