PEMBERVILLE — When they play, the atmosphere is festive, the crowd clapping and stomping from the first tune and hollering out requests between songs.
In October 1969, when the RFD Boys played their first concert together, they were still U-M students. In the last three decades they’ve shared stages with a who’s who of bluegrass and country musicians, from Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley to Ricky Skaggs and Randy Travis.
“Orange Blossom Special,” the granddaddy of all train songs, has been their closer for more than 30 years. And while railroads have a precarious place in the American countryside, the RFD Boys will take the Pemberville Opera House stage as the season opener, Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $12 and are available at Beeker’s General Store or at the door.
This program will be followed by a wide range of artists performing the first Saturday of each month, September through May. Tickets are available for individual shows or for the entire season.
The RFD Boys have been delighting Ann Arbor audiences since 1969 with their fabulous musicianship and sly, exquisitely timed between-song humor. With an appearance on the cover of Bluegrass Unlimited, with songs recorded by the likes of the Country Gentlemen, the RFD Boys are a part of America’s bluegrass tradition. One of southeastern Michigan’s most durable musical ensembles, they’re very much a local tradition, too.
Performing during the season are:
Oct. 7: Matt Tolentino is dedicated to preserving ragtime, traditional jazz, and early swing with his 5 piece swing band.
Nov. 4: For nearly two decades, Hoodang has been mesmerizing audiences with its unique blend of driving country music.
Dec. 2: Yang and Olivia is a dynamic violin-piano duo who create an unforgettable storytelling event in their program, featuring contemporary and classical works from different parts of the world.
Jan 6: Silent Movie Night featuring Lynne Long at the piano.
Feb. 3: Mr. B, the Boogie Woogie piano guy learned directly from the blues and boogie legends.
March 2: Nostalgia Entertainers captivates with versatile shows featuring vintage music!
April 6: For the past 30 years, guitar virtuoso Jake Reichbart has been delighting audiences in the Great Lakes region and beyond.
May 4: Westbound Situation blends the precision of classical chamber music, the rhythmic drive of bluegrass, and the colorful expression of jazz into a new style of chamber.
