American Bluegrass “dream” Cherryholmes takes the Community Concert Hall stage November 20
DURANGO, Colo. – The band considered “The American Bluegrass dream,” Cherryholmes, comes to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, with special guest, Durango’s own, The Badly Bent opening at 7 p.m.
With dad Jere and mom Sandy Lee leading the way with Celtic-styled musicianship and a quartet of gifted young sibling pickers as its engine, the Cherryholmes sound is made up of hard-driving instrumental virtuosity and explosive vocal harmonies. Their live repertoire features a mixture of original songs and carefully chosen classics.
Considered by many to be the hottest and most innovative band on the American stage today, Cherryholmes stormed to the top of the bluegrass world after winning the 2005 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Award for Entertainer of the Year. Cherryholmes’ self-titled debut album received a 2006 Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album, and the second Grammy-nominated album Black and White, placed No. 1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums chart. Regular performers at the Grand Ole Opry, the dynamic family band’s third release, Cherryholmes III: Don’t Believe (Skaggs Family Records) debuted at No. 3 on the bluegrass charts.
Living a quiet life in Southern California, the Cherryholmes family first discovered bluegrass following the death of their eldest daughter, Shelly, who suffered from chronic heart problems. Sensing a need to “do something special” with their remaining children, parents Jere and Sandy Lee, on the way home from a bluegrass festival they’d attended to “lift their spirits,” declared they would launch a bluegrass group. What began as a desire to draw the family closer during their time of sorrow indeed did develop into a legitimate band. Within two years Jere Cherryholmes had quit his job as a carpenter for the Los Angeles County school system, and took the band on the road.
In addition to Jere on the bass and Sandy on mandolin, Cherryholmes includes daughters Cia Leigh (banjo) and Molly Kate (fiddle) and sons B.J. (fiddle) and Skip (guitar).
“Angelic singing, spirited playing and exceptional writing skills are coupled with a keen sense of showmanship that never loses sight of sincerity,” wrote Peter North for the Edmonton Journal. “… One of the most cohesive, creative and soulful acoustic bands on the continent.”
View a sampling of Cherryholmes’ performances at
Cherryholmes’ Special Guest The Badly Bent has established itself as one of the most entertaining and energetic bluegrass bands in Southwest Colorado. Winners of the 2005 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition, the band is known for infectious stage presence and ability to connect with audiences, always offering a musically entertaining experience.
Tickets for Cherryholmes, with special guest The Badly Bent – $20 for Orchestra and Balcony and $25 for Plaza – are available on the web at www.durangoconcerts.com or by calling 970.247.7657 or 877.282.9992, or at the Ticket Office in Downtown Durango at 7th and Main Ave. All sales final.
Showtime is 7 p.m., with doors to the Concert Hall and concessions, serving beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, opening at 6 p.m.
The Community Concert Hall is located in the growing arts complex of Fort Lewis College. It operates through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, as well as the city of Durango, and with financial and in-kind contributions from generous members of the community.
