Despite a two hour trip in pouring rain, my Friday this past week was awesome. I spent the evening at the Pennyroyal Opry House in Fairview, Ohio watching my favorite bluegrass band, Blue Moon Rising. Pennyroyal is an old church converted in to a bluegrass venue. It is a very nice venue and is run by Rich and Carol Smith.

The opening band was a local group from Barnesville Ohio called Just Plain Grass. They did some nice pickin and got everyone in a bluegrass state of mind.

Blue Moon Rising, a five piece band from east Tennessee put on an awesome show. They nearly took the roof off the place. The band played many cuts from their three cd's such as Old Martin Box, Papaw Taught Me, Cold Kentucky Rain, Moonshine Hard Times, Raised on Pain, Leftys Old Guitar( J.D.'s song), and some bluegrass gospel songs. Their most recent bluegrass gospel song "He Arose" was beautifully done.

They also did a rendition of Old Joe Clark and the Pennyroyal halloween spook cloggers danced in the aisles. The members of BMR each have a uniqueness all their own. Chris West, guitar player and lead vocals, is one good guitar picker and singer. He is a real funny guy too. Tim Tipton, on bass, really gets down on that upright. Justin Jenkins, banjo, is probably one of the better young banjo pickers today. He played at Renfo Valley before joining BMR. Justin Moses, dobro and fiddle, can stand beside the likes of Douglas and Leadbetter as a fine dobro player. Keith Garrett, mandolin, has a beautiful voice and plays mando very well. Together they are a very tight, laidback group.

I will see them again next week in Wilmot Ohio. There are just some bands that you must make an exception for and see them as often as you can. www.bluemoonrisingband.com