bluegrass @ temperance | The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee

Straight out of Virginia, this is the real deal. Incredible musicianship, incredible harmonies. Old-timey-bluegrass-country at its best. The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee are a five-piece string band from Floyd, Virginia, playing music from the era when bluegrass, old-time, and country music still shared the same stage. Their earthy, single-mic sound — built on driving instrumentation and stirring close harmonies — has been described by Bluegrass Unlimited as “hard-edged bluegrass from an earlier time, music straight from the heart with nary a bit of modern flash or showbiz glitz.” Top prize winners at Galax, Mount Airy, Clifftop, and the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest, the band have toured internationally and appeared at festivals and venues including the University of Chicago Folk Festival, La Roche Bluegrass Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Auckland Folk Festival, Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, and the Blue Ridge Music Center. “The best example of late 1940s early 1950s traditional bluegrass I have ever heard.” – Rob McGregor, Vancouver Coop Radio “They’ve got it — that primal, but elegant approach to their instruments, and their remarkable vocal blend that only comes out of a deep and undeniable love for old-time country music.” – Marshall Wilborn (IBMA Hall of Fame)