Door Community Auditorium
The Fireside Coffeehouse Concert Series
Presents
Straight Up Bluegrass
Straight Up Bluegrass is all about the way traditional music was meant to be played. Performing in the style of Jimmy Martin, Bill Monroe, and Third Tyme Out, Straight Up Bluegrass performs the songs that people remember. In the final concert of the Door Community Auditorium Fireside Coffeehouse Series, Straight Up Bluegrass will take the stage for an impressive evening of bluegrass. The concert is scheduled for Saturday, March 15 at 7 pm.
A form of American roots music, traditional bluegrass was inspired by immigrants from the British Isles, in particular, Scottish and Irish immigrants who settled in Appalachia. Bluegrass is defined by its acoustic instrumentals; individual bluegrass band members take a turn at playing the melody, as well as improvising around the melody.
With lightening quick banjoes and fiddles that fly, Straight Up Bluegrass combines instrumental arrangements with three-part harmony and high lonesome vocals to recreate the sound of bluegrass familiar to fans around the world. Under the leadership of lead singer Mike Rospenda, the five-member band performs bluegrass standards including “Freeborn Man,” “Gathering flowers From the Hillside,” and “I’ve Just Seen a Face.”
Joining Rospenda, who also plays the banjo, are Terry and Bill Bane performing as the bass and guitar duo. While Terry Bane performs soulful vocals, Bill Bane “drives the bus” with his thumping, running bass lines. Fiddle-player James Block steps up to the mic in his role as lead singer, and Brent Eastman rounds out the band with his mellow, hard-driving mandolin playing.
Performing in festivals throughout the Midwest, Straight Up Bluegrass is gaining praise for its music from casual fans to true aficionados. “Mike Rospenda has that Ralph Stanley sound down. There is no better bluegrass singer in the Fox Valley,” raved Tim O’Connell, Wisconsin Area Music Industry male vocal award winner.
“Straight Up Bluegrass puts on a great show. They are consummate professions and really connect with the audience,” reported fan Jim MaGinnes. “You can count on them to make a great impression on any group of music lovers.”
Seating for the Fireside Coffeehouse Concerts is limited and advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. General admission tickets are $14 and are available at the Door Community Auditorium box office, by phone (920.868.2728), or via the www.dcauditorium.org. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 – 3 pm; weekend show days, 11 – 3 pm; and one hour prior to a performance. The Door Community Auditorium is located in Fish Creek, just north of the town center on Highway 42. Refreshments will be available for purchase during this performance.
