Ronnie Bowman  to open 12th season of bluegrass series

berryville — The Berryville Bluegrass Series, a major fundraiser for the Clarke County High School Eagles Athletic Association, will begin its 12th annual season this weekend with award-winning singer-songwriter Ronnie Bowman.

The concert will be held at 7 p.m. today in the Williams Community Auditorium in the Johnson-Williams Middle School at 110 Lincoln Ave.

Bowman began singing with his family at age 3 and started his professional career in 1988 with the Lost and Found. He joined The Lonesome River Band in 1991 and established himself as a star in the genre.

While with LRB, Bowman won the IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year award three times, Album of the Year for “Carrying the Tradition,” and Song of the Year for “Three Rusty Nails” and “Cold Virginia Night.”

“Three Rusty Nails” also captured Gospel Song of the Year honors.

Bowman has also written number-one songs on the country charts for “Getting Better All the Time” by Brooks & Dunn and “Never Wanted Nothin’ More” by Kenny Chesney.

Berryville Bluegrass Series promoters Frank and Cyndy Jurney are pleased that Bowman will lead off the season. “Ronnie is so busy with his songwriting for Sony Records in Nashville that he simply doesn’t have a lot of opportunity to tour,” Frank Jurney said.

They first met Ronnie in the early 1990s. LRB performed at the Shenandoah Farms Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company. “Now as then, he is one of the great vocalists in the bluegrass business,” FrankJurney said.

Joining Bowman will be his wife Garnett on harmony vocals and a band of Nashville musicians.

Also on the bill is No One You Know, a young band from southern West Virginia.

Food and drinks will be available at the smoke-free, alcohol-free event.

Other concerts in the series are: Nov. 10, NewFound Road and Donna Ulisse & Poor Mtn. Boys; Dec. 8, Balsam Range and Kenny & Amanda Smith Band; Jan. 12, Lonesome River Band and Blue Moon Rising; Feb. 9, IIIrd Tyme Out and Cold Stream Road; and March 9, Nothin’ Fancy and Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie.

Information

Tickets cost $22 in advance and $25 at the door. For tickets or information, contact Frank or Cyndy Jurney at 540-837-2187, fjurney@comcast.net or visit berryvillebluegrass.com.