For Immediate Release
Beat the Winter Blues with Bluegrass
EPBA to host Winter Jams through March
Martinsburg, West Virginia: Get your bluegrass fix this winter, as the Eastern Panhandle Bluegrass Association (EPBA) hosts Winter Jams and a Pickin’ Preview concert. The EPBA kicked things off January 9th and will host a bluegrass music jam each Sunday through March from 4 to 7 pm at the Caperton Train Station, located at 226 East Martin Street in downtown Martinsburg. Co-sponsored by the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the EPBA Winter Jams are free and open to the public.
“This is a place where people can get together and play, or sit back and enjoy some great music,” said Lana Exline, founding officer of the EPBA. “Our goal is to draw out some ‘closet pickers’ and have them join our bluegrass community. In fact, we’ll be hosting a Beginner Bluegrass workshop prior to our jam on January 16 from 3:15 to 4 pm at the Train Station. The workshop is free and limited to beginners.” Advance registration is required for the workshop (not the jam) by calling 301-331-7898. “We are thankful for the support of the CVB and the City of Martinsburg to make these events possible,” Exline added.
On March 5, the EPBA, Apollo Theatre, and the Martinsburg-Berkeley County CVB will present a Pickin’ Preview benefit concert. “We thought it would be fun to give music lovers a little taste of the 2011 festival while supporting two great organizations,” said Andrea Ball, director of Pickin’ in the Panhandle. “The lineup highlights some of the best bluegrass groups who represent the various styles of bluegrass music.” Circa Blue is a progressive bluegrass band that plays original and cover tunes. Back Creek Valley Boys, a Pickin’ favorite since the festival began, prides themselves on playing hard drivin’ bluegrass. Closing out the show will be IBMA and SPBGMA nominated band Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice. Their traditional sounds have earned them the #1 album spot on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Bluegrass Survey Chart for “Heartaches and Dreams.”
Tickets to the Pickin’ Preview are $10 in advance and $15 at the door (seating is limited). Visit www.PanhandlePickin.com or stop by the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 115 N. Queen Street in Martinsburg for tickets and information. All proceeds will benefit the EPBA and Apollo Theatre. You can also get the latest info on Pickin’ in the Panhandle by following them on Twitter @PanhandlePickin or their Facebook page. The 2011 Pickin’ in the Panhandle: WV State BBQ & Bluegrass Festival will be held September 9-11.
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Media Contact:
Sandy Sponaugle
304-876-8321
