Bluegrass comes back to Bismarck in January with the second appearance of Blue Moon Rising, still ascending to national acclaim since its sold out concert at Bismarck State College last winter.



In 2006, the five-piece group from Knoxville, Tenn., was nominated for the International Bluegrass Music Association's Emerging Artists of the Year Award. Bluegrass Unlimited magazine also featured the band and the Bismarck concert in its June issue.



Blue Moon Rising performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 26 and 27, on the BSC Sidney J. Lee Auditorium stage. Area bands opening the concerts are the Missouri River Boys on Friday, and Cotton Wood on Saturday, along with BSC student Preston Schmidt on fiddle.



Members of Blue Moon Rising are being hailed for their musicianship, original songs, and close harmony vocals, a signature of the band's rich sound. Influenced by Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers, the group plays a traditional style with new songs that always tell a story.



The group has three records out and is riding the success of their latest album, "On the Rise," for Lonesome Day Records. Members are Chris West on guitar and vocals, Tim Tipton on bass, Keith Garrett on mandolin and vocals, Justin Moses on resonator guitar, fiddle, and vocals, and Justin Jenkins on banjo.



"The main reason we're bringing them back is the success of last year's show," said Jill Wiese, event promoter and bassist with Cotton Wood band of Washburn, which co-sponsors the concert with BSC. "It's humbling to us and we love their music, so we're going to make another good weekend out of it."




Bring your instrument on Saturday for hands-on technique sessions in fiddle, guitar, mandolin, upright bass, and banjo from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the BSC Leach Music Center. The afternoon session starts at 1:30 p.m. with a class in harmony and lead singing. Participants then learn a bluegrass song to conclude the session at 3:30 p.m. Cost is $5 for the day.



"Their accessibility is what we really enjoy," Wiese said.



On Friday afternoon, Blue Moon Rising will travel to Fort Yates to present a free public concert from 1 to 2 p.m. at Standing Rock Community Middle School. Band members also will give workshops for the many young people interested in guitar and other string instruments, Wiese said. Promoters plan to collect and donate 15 guitars to the Fort Yates schools.



Members of Blue Moon Rising met by chance at a Tennessee bluegrass festival in 2000 while playing for other groups. The men clicked and later formed Blue Moon Rising, taking their name from a song by bluegrass icon Bill Monroe called "Blue Moon of Kentucky."




General admission tickets are $15 for the concert or $20 for the concert and workshop. Advance tickets can be purchased in Bismarck at Eckroth Music, String Bean, Jacobsen Music, and Night Life Music; in Washburn at Chase Drug and Java Rose; in Center at Corner Express; or at the door, if available. One dollar from Saturday night ticket sales will benefit BSC's Phi Theta Kappa honor society.



For more information, contact Jill Wiese at 701-315-0017. | save this article / add to your favorites list