Bluegrass and blues

Veteran talents in two genres play local club

Bluegrass superstars Larry Keel and Natural Bridge spend two nights this weekend - tonight and Saturday - at Flanagan's Central Station in Whitefish.

Flatpicking guitar master Larry Keel is a dedicated force in preserving and creating American mountain music. Delivering powerful and honest performances, Keel and Natural Bridge pay their respects to the forefathers of bluegrass, who sang and played with joy and from the heart.

Born and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Larry Keel is a young veteran musician who has always been immersed in the traditional ways and etiquette of playing mountain music. Both his father and brother (themselves skilled and versatile acoustic musicians) influenced the younger Keel to thoroughly master the foundations of acoustic guitar (tune, timing, tone) before venturing into his own original territory.

Over the years Keel has become a world-class flatpicking guitarist, and that talent has earned him legendary status with fans and the highest respect amongst his musical peers.

Jenny Keel has been playing bass with her husband and virtually all of his specialty projects for over 10 years, and has advanced into a player known for impeccable timing and solid, yet imaginative bass lines. She also adds much of the tenor harmonies to the band's vocal pieces.

Mark Schimick, on mandolin and vocals, was raised in central North Carolina and frequently visited his extended family in Southwestern Virginia. Mark's approach to mandolin has rapidly advanced him to one of the most versatile and fiery pickers on the acoustic music scene.

Opening for Keel is Nate Clendenen, a singer/songwriter from Virginia. Clendenen's influences are widely eclectic - from reggae and world music to Appalachian folk - from 1960s psychedelia to New Age industrial.

His music has been likened to Van Morrison, Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, Dave Matthews and even the Promise Ring.

On Tuesday at Flanagan's, Chicago blues original Studebaker John and the Hawks will perform.

As a songwriter and musician, Studebaker John has emerged as a major creative force in the world of the blues today.

"His raw amplified canonical work recalls past masters like Little Walter and Big Walter Horton, while his slide guitar style is descended from the styles of Elmore James and Hound Dog Taylor. On top of that Studebaker John is a powerful vocalist and talented songwriter…" -Chicago Tribune

Shows begin at 9 p.m. Call 862-8888.