The Grascals and Olivia Jo at Bluegrass First Class ’26 – photos © Sandy Hatley
The 31st annual Bluegrass First Class in Asheville, NC certainly lived up to its name with an entire weekend packed with top notch music enjoyed by the large gathering of attendees. Promoter Milton Harkey and his hardworking crew brought headline acts to the main stage, exciting up and coming groups on the showcase stage, and an expanded number of vendors in an adjacent conference room.
In addition to the two stages, jamming abounded throughout the expansive Crowne Plaza Resort. With the annual February festival falling on Valentine’s Day weekend this year, it was a perfect place to celebrate with loved ones and friends, old and new.
Barry Abernathy, banjoist with Appalachian Road Show, stressed from the stage, “What a great line-up! It’s bluegrass at its best!”
After the Bluegrass Showdown on Thursday night on the showcase stage (with the Emorys taking the prize), the pros took to the main stage in the Expo Center starting midday on Friday. First up was 501 Central, a JD Crowe-influenced band from Georgia with special guest fiddler, Stephen Hudson. Their banjoist, David Gilreath, was even picking Crowe’s 1932 RB-3 Gibson banjo that was used on the classic Rounder Recording 0044.
Next was Seth Mulder & Midnight Run , whose banjoist, Anthony Howell, wowed the audience with his high-energy, note-infused version of Ground Speed, which garnered him the national banjo award in Winfield, KS this past year.
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out made their 31st appearance at Bluegrass First Class, the only band to play all 31 years of the winter festival. IIIrd Tyme Out’s current ensemble included veteran mandolinist, Wayne Benson; former 3TO fiddler/now banjoist, Justin Haines; fiddler, Matt Flake; and bassist, Troy Boone. Moore was hot off a tour with Alison Krauss, and will be returning to tour with her in the spring.
Harkey shared from the stage, “I’m really proud of what you have done in music, ’cause I knew you when…” (Moore actually stayed in Harkey’s basement when he and fellow Southern Connection members first relocated from Texas to North Carolina in his youth.)
More nostalgia was shared by Appalachian Road Show’s Zeb Snyder. “Bluegrass First Class was the first festival I bought a ticket for in 2008.” It was the location where many of the ARS band members first met prior to forming a group together. Snyder also joked about their repertoire on their second set as he introduced their new tune, Della Jane’s Heart. “Up to this point, we’ve been a little light on the killin’,” he teased.
At Harkey’s request, Lonesome River Band closed out the Friday show by playing their entire set from their landmark 1991 album, Carrying the Tradition, which featured such fan favorites as Sitting on Top of the World and Hobo Blues.
Saturday’s music began before noon with the King James Boys. They were followed by six Alabama siblings, Cipollari, formerly known as the Cotton Pickin’ Kids.
Then rising songstress and ARS recording artist, Olivia Jo, had her chance to shine. She was backed by a powerhouse ensemble that included Anthony Howell on banjo, Mason Wright on fiddle, Kyle Windbeck on mandolin, Chevy Watson on guitar, and Taylor Parks on bass.
And then the Grascals took command of the festival. Kristin Scott Benson was hammering the five-string and demonstrating why she is the most awarded banjo player at IBMA. Jamie Johnson also shared a little of the band’s history. “Our first show was 21 years ago, right here.” One of the newest members, North Carolina fiddler Jamie Harper has stepped up to fill the third vocal position following the retirement of Terry Smith, giving the band a new on-stage dynamic, with excellent results.
The Malpass Brothers, with their classic country, and Authentic Unlimited, with their award-winning harmonies, ended both the afternoon and evening performances.
As the evening schedule got underway, Mark Fisher, a longtime associate of the festival, took to the stage and presented Milton Harkey with a personalized “MRH” guitar strap in honor of the 150th show he had presented to bluegrass audiences. It was a pleasant surprise for the promoter and a labor of love and gratitude for the presenter.
Closing out the festival, Authentic Unlimited performed a tribute set to Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, also per Harkey’s request. Three members (Eli Johnston, Jerry Cole, and Stephen Burwell) had been part of Lawson’s band upon his retirement. The other AU members had clearly done their homework. Jesse Brock nailed Lawson’s mandolin breaks, adding his own personal flair. Young Colton Baker belted out several classic Quicksilver tunes with his powerful high lead voice. Their set included Quicksilver fan favorites such as Misery River, Julianne, and Sea of Life. The responsive crowd resisted letting the magical set end, calling out numbers, giving standing ovations, and demanding more.
“This had not been done before,” Vicky Hutchens, Harkey’s protegé, noted.
Cole became emotional on stage as he expressed his gratitude and praised both his former employer, Doyle Lawson, and festival promoter, Milton Harkey. “Thank you for believing in us.”
Sunday wrapped up with a morning gospel set by the King James Boys on the showcase case.
As always, Harkey had a strong support staff. Sound on the main stage was provided by GBS’ David and Traci Chichester. Matt Chapel served as sound tech for the showcase stage. MC on Friday was Dale Morris with Darren Nicholson doing the honors on Saturday.
There was a touching moment Saturday during supper break when Big T Lassiter held a small gathering outside his hotel room to remember his beloved wife, Pammy, who passed in January. Bluegrass First Class was one of their regular festivals, and the couple hosted all-night jams in their room for a decade. PammyFest, a weekend of music to honor her legacy which will benefit charities associated with her, will be held on June 12-13 at their home in West End, NC. She was a loving supporter of bluegrass, particularly youth, who helped found the Charlotte Folk Music Society, High Lonesome Strings Bluegrass Association, and Resogat. T reminded all assembled, “Be more like Pammy.”
Bluegrass First Class attendees traveled from all over for the iconic western North Carolina music event. One was Asa Lodi from Sweden who sings in a Swedish bluegrass band. “My friend, Willie [from Detroit], and I were here for the first time two years ago. We connected through a singing app and decided to meet in February and found this festival.”
She praised this year’s event. “It is wonderful. I love the lineup. There’s a lot more jamming going on and it’s been fantastic.”
There was also an expanded number of vendors that included Bee-3 Vintage from Asheville. Proprietor, Gary Burnette, had a fantastic collection of rare guitars for folks to try, including Norman Blake’s 1933 D-28 Shadetop 12-fret Martin, nicknamed “the Grail,” and a 1935 AJ Prototype Advanced Jumbo Gibson nicknamed “the Bone Crusher.”
Another vendor, 25-year-old Will Byrd of WR Byrd Guitars from Brevard, offered his handiwork for sale. The young luthier shared, “I got started because I couldn’t afford the guitar I wanted, so I decided that I’d make one.”
That was when he was 21, and since that time he has handcrafted 62 guitars, doing all his own inlay work. Averaging about 15 guitars per year, his creations range from basic mahogany and Sitka spruce to Brazilian rosewood.
Vicky Hutchens, MRH Bluegrass Director of Operations, reflected on the success Harkey’s annual event.
“Wow! What a fabulous weekend this has been. It’s always been about the people for us, and it always will be. Looking out into the audience and seeing nothing but smiling faces, and hearing cheers of joy and laughter justifies all of our hard work. My mind never shuts off, and I am already thinking about next year!”
The 32nd Bluegrass First Class is already scheduled to return February 11-14, 2027 at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Asheville, NC.
