The fifth decade of that half-century of music making has been filled with new and ongoing triumphs. The Del McCoury Band has shown unprecedented stability, with but a single change in membership in fifteen years; their namesake earned membership in the cast of the legendary Grand Ole Opry in 2003, and the Band earned their first Best Bluegrass Album Grammy award two years later; they traveled with the groundbreaking post-O Brother “Down From The Mountain” tour, performed and recorded (on his Grammy-winning These Days) with Gill and with country star Dierks Bentley; they’ve made multiple appearances at the spectacular Bonnaroo Music Festival (and will appear there again in 2009) and launched an impressively popular annual New Year’s Eve show at the Ryman Auditorium, where Del first appeared on the Opry with Bill Monroe some 46 years ago. Perhaps most importantly, McCoury took an almost unprecedented step in 2003 when he took control of his own music by creating the McCoury Music label, home to that Grammy-winning album along with a select set of releases by the Del McCoury Band, country icon Merle Haggard and more.

This is where a preternatural talent becomes a natural woman.

This is Sierra Hull’s Weighted Mind. It is nothing like what we thought it would be. It is nothing like what we’ve heard before, from anyone. It is singular and emphatic, harmonious and dissonant. It is the realization of promise, and the affirmation of individuality. It is born of difficulty and indecision, yet it rings with ease, decisiveness, and beauty.

“She plays the mandolin with a degree of refined elegance and freedom that few have achieved,” says Bela Fleck, the genre-leaping banjo master who produced Weighted Mind. “And now her vocals and songwriting have matured to the level of her virtuosity.”

Alison Krauss, who has won more Grammy awards than any female artist in history, says of Hull, “I think she’s endless. I don’t see any boundaries. Talent like hers is so rare, and I don’t think it stops. It’s round.”

Hull came to us as a bluegrass thrush, a teen prodigy. Krauss called her to the Grand Ole Opry stage when Hull was 11-years-old. Two years later, she signed with Rounder Records, and soon became known as a remarkable mandolin player, a tone-true vocalist, and a recording artist of high order. She made two acclaimed albums. She played the White House, and Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center, and she became the first bluegrass musician to receive a Presidential Scholarship at the Berklee College of Music.

She was celebrated, yet adrift.  Stranded, even.

The Gibson Brothers were voted 2013 Entertainers of the Year at the IBMA World of Bluegrass 24th Annual Awards Show in Raleigh, N.C. for the second year in a row. We also won the Vocal Group of the Year, Song of the Year (“They Called It Music”) and Eric was named the Songwriter of the Year.

The Gibson Brothers were named the 2012 Entertainer of the Year Award at the 23rd Annual IBMA Awards at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, the first time a brother duet has won this award. The same night we won the “Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year” award for “Singing As We Rise.”

Help My Brother, our tenth album, won the prestigious 2011 IBMA Album of the Year Award.We were named the 2011 IBMA Vocal Group of the Year, the first time a brother duet has won this award.  Help My Brother held the #1 position on the Bluegrass Unlimited Album chart for 8 months. It definitely had staying power,  with songs charting on the BU Top 30 more than a year after its release.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder is the knock-'em-dead, uproarious hit and the most-nominated show of the 2014 season. With ten Tony nominations and four wins, including Best Musical, Book, Direction and Costumes, it also earned seven Drama Desk Awards (including Best Musical), four Outer Critics Circle Awards (including Best Musical) and one Drama League Award (Best Musical).

When the low-born Monty Navarro finds out that he's eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D'Ysquith family, he figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and sets off down a far more ghoulish path. Can he knock off his unsuspecting relatives without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst? And what of love? Because murder isn't the only thing on Monty's mind....

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder is a murderous romp filled with unforgettable music, non-stop laughs and a scene-stealing role for one actor playing all eight of the doomed heirs who meet their ends in the most creative and side-splitting ways. This is a must-produce for any theatre looking for a truly original and fresh new comedy that will delight audiences and leave them begging for more.

High School Musi-pocalypse

When hunky star basketball player Cory and gorgeous smart girl Alejandra are chosen to star in Miss Farkus' winter musical, their story seems suspiciously similar to a certain popular film...and one lawyer won't stand for it. But a potential lawsuit is the least of the cast's problems: money is running out, and the depressing script doesn't seem likely to generate sales. Luckily, an Ancient Mayan exchange student has written a blockbuster musical disaster -- and it's guaranteed to be the most volcanic, destructive, and lucrative musical any high school has ever seen.  

Charlie Chaplin’s Red Letter Days

By 1916 Charlie Chaplin had become the most popular person on the planet, drawing crowds in the tens of thousands when he traveled.  It was like the frenzy over The Beatles half-a-century later, only Chaplin’s fame was even greater.  This program explores that fame, the iconic Tramp character at its core, and what was going on behind the scenes.  It is based, in part, on a newly discovered series of thirty-seven articles written in 1916 by Fred Goodwins, one of the actors in Chaplin’s stock company.  The program will include an account of how Chaplin electrified Augusta in 1918 with a live appearance to sell Liberty Bonds.

Dan Kamin trained Robert Downey, Jr. for his Oscar-nominated performance in Chaplin and created Johnny Depp’s physical comedy routines in Benny and Joon.  His entertaining and informative presentation will be illustrated with colorful images, music and film from the period, including Chaplin’s blockbuster war comedy Shoulder Arms, made right after his visit to Augusta. 

Don’t miss this excursion into the public and private worlds of Hollywood’s first superstar.

Our band is a lot like this place,” says Chatham County Line guitarist, lead singer and songwriter Dave Wilson. His eyes wander across the original hardwood lanes of the mid­century
Raleigh bowling alley where he just finished rolling and drinking two rounds. Playing traditional string band instrumentation around a single microphone while clad in suits and ties visually
projects a similar sepia­toned timelessness. “We create a product that you’re familiar with and you’ll enjoy going back to because you know what to expect. My dad ran a local hardware store
years ago and I always felt like we shared that.”

Sure enough, like a small town store, there’s no dramatic tale or sexy hook to fuel the hype machine for Autumn, the seventh studio album since the Raleigh, NC­based Chatham County
Line—Wilson, John Teer (mandolin/fiddle), Chandler Holt (banjo), and Greg Readling (bass, pedal steel, piano)—coalesced in the late 1990’s. Instead, the story behind the workmanlike
group’s newest release—available September 2, 2016 via Yep Roc Records—is simple: A veteran ensemble at the top of its game sticking to its considerable strengths—poignant
songwriting and inventive acoustic arrangements that draw upon a broad array of American roots influences, highlighted by trademark three­ and four­part harmonies that shine throughout.
But like the flat­screen televisions that now dot those bowling lanes, the quartet respects its history—from bluegrass inventor Bill Monroe to innovators like John Hartford—while remaining
mindful of more modern influences, including its members’ backgrounds in rock bands.
“Few groups have come as far in such a short period of time as The Steel Wheels…” – NPR’s Mountain Stage

“What sets The Steel Wheels from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia apart from many bands is the combination of their stellar instrumentals, accentuated by the one of a kind lead vocal of [Trent] Wagler, and keenly supported by strong harmonies. Eric Brubaker on fiddle, Jay Lapp on mandolin, and Brian Dickel on bass weave in and out intricately throughout this record, painting vivid imagery which flows effortlessly, just teasing the lyrics enough to allow them to resonate within you.” – Country Standard Time

The holiday season brings to mind family, friends and...The Nutcracker! Come and experience the same magic and grandeur that Ron Colton brought to Augusta in 1971. Your entire family will enjoy this classic holiday tale that has become a tradition in the CSRA. Join us as Colton Ballet Company of Augusta brings this holiday favorite to life during the 2018 Thanksgiving Weekend!

Discounts for children are only available for 1pm performances. Senior, Military and Group (10+) rates are available for all shows.  All Discounts are only available for Orchestra and Mezzanine Sections.

Asleep at the Wheel landed a gig opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC in 1970. At the height of Vietnam, many Americans were using their choice of music to express their stance on the conflict in southeast Asia. “We wanted to break that mold,” said Benson. “We were concerned more with this amazing roots music, which we felt was being lost amid the politics. We were too country for the rock folks and we were too long-haired for the country folks. But everybody got over it once the music started playing.”

A year later, they were coaxed into moving to California by Commander Cody, leader of Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen. But, the band’s big break came when Van Morrison mentioned them in an interview with Rolling Stone “there’s some relatively unknown group around that I really dig. Asleep at the Wheel, they play great country music.” Van Morrison Rolling Stone Interview (1973). The record offers started coming in and The Wheel got rolling.

The musicianship of Asleep at the Wheel has become the stuff of legends. Reuter’s pegged The Wheel as “one of the best live acts in the business.” Taking a page from Bob Wills’ book, the band has constantly toured at a national level throughout its history; with anywhere from 7-15 of the finest players Ray Benson could talk into jumping in the bus to play a string of dates. The alumni roster is well over 80+ members, and includes an impressive list of musicians who have gone on to perform with artists such as Bob Dylan, George Strait, Van Morrison, Lyle Lovett, Ryan Adams, and many more. A quick scan of awards, such as “Touring Band of the Year” (CMAs, 1976) and “Lifetime Achievement in Performance” (Americana Music Awards 2009), not to mention near dominance of the GRAMMY “Country Instrumental” category over the years, reflects the reputation of the band’s musicianship. Ray Benson fell in love with western swing because of its unique combination of elements of American blues, swing and traditional fiddling but also for its demanding musical chops. Western swing is what Benson calls “jazz with a cowboy hat,” is a thrill to hear live, and thanks in large part to the Wheel’s 40+ years of promotion, is a living and creative genre of music today.

VIP Experience Package to include:

• Early access for VIP holders (1) one hour before doors
• Casual Meet & Greet with John in the theatre or space mutually agreed upon
• Questions and answer session with John and fans
• 2-3 acoustic songs performed by John
• VIP Experience collectible souvenir laminate
• Autograph opportunity with John
• Photo opportunity with John

Cost: $20

Length of event: 1 hour

Number of tickets available: 100 per show

*This is seperate from a ticket to the show. A VIP ticket does not include a ticket the the show following this experience. 

Mention his name to just about any country music lover and the response will likely be, “What an awesome vocalist!” Between 1979 and 1990 John recorded and marketed six albums on his own Clear Sky Records label. Those early discs and John Berry’s strong regional popularity attracted him attention on Music Row. Capitol Records signed him in 1992 and it was there that he had a string of hits, including “Your Love Amazes Me”, “Standing on the Edge of Goodbye”, “I Think About It All The Time”, “Change My Mind”, “If I Had Any Pride Left At All”, “Kiss Me In The Car”, ‘What’s In It For Me”, and “You and Only You”. But it was his stunning performance of the title track of the 1995 CD O Holy Night that led to his most enduring legacy.

John Berry began doing a Christmas tour in 1996 and this year will mark his 22nd consecutive Christmas concert series.As John has grown in his walk with Christ, his calling has been to share God’s love with his audience. Moving into a new phase in his career, John’s tenor voice remains an instrument that is able to touch all our hearts.

VIP Experience can be added on with your purchase of a ticket.

The NATIONAL BALLET THEATRE of ODESSA

SWAN LAKE

 (Ballet in four acts with one intermission)

 Music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky

 Choreography after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov

 This full-scale production, set to the music of Pyotr Tchaikovsky and based on Russian folklore and German legend, follows a heroic young prince as he works to free the beautiful swan maiden from an evil spell.

 The first visit to the United State of America the legendary National Ballet Theatre of Odessa with 55 talented and brightest ballet Stars to bring this romantic tale of true love to glorious life! 

 DON'T MISS IT!

Dailey & Vincent is an American bluegrass music group composed of Jamie Dailey (guitar, bass, vocals), Darrin Vincent (mandolin, guitar, bass, vocals), Aaron McCune (guitar, vocals), Jeff Parker (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Patrick McAvinue (fiddle), Shaun Richardson (guitar, vocals), Bob Mummert (drums) and Jessie Baker (banjo, guitar, vocals). The group’s former banjo player, Joe Dean, left in March 2012 to pursue other musical interests. Dean later rejoined Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Former fiddle player Jesse Stockman left the band in early August 2011 due to a wrist injury. BJ Cherryholmes, who had been filling in for Stockman, officially joined the band in August 2011.

Jamie Dailey was formerly the lead vocalist and guitarist for Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver from 1999-2008. Darrin Vincent was formerly a musician with Ricky Skaggs’ legendary band Kentucky Thunder, and was also part of the famous bluegrass family group The Sally Mountain Show with his sister Rhonda Vincent of (Rhonda Vincent & The Rage).

The group has released six albums for Rounder Records, with five of the six albums having charted on at least one Billboard albums chart. They have also won thirteen awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association and twenty-three awards from SPBGMA (The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America) . In 2011, they received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and won the 2011 Dove Award for Best Bluegrass Album with “Singing From The Heart” In 2013, Dailey & Vincent received their 2nd Grammy Award nomination for Best Bluegrass Album for their album “The Gospel Side Of Dailey & Vincent”.

From the moment of their brilliant self-titled debut in 2013, it’s been clear that Flatt Lonesome is, as the title of its third album, a Runaway Train. Multiple International Bluegrass Music Association, Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America, and Dove nominations and awards, top charting songs, Billboard charting albums, countless media appearances (including becoming familiar faces on the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage), and a demanding tour schedule, all combine in testimony to the phenomenon that is Flatt Lonesome.

In the wake of three top IBMA honors in 2016, (Vocal Group, Song, and Album of the Year), and now, multiple nominations for the 2017 awards, (Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year), one might wonder, where do they go from here?

Flatt Lonesome has emerged from the studio with Silence In These Walls, a new album that answers the question unequivocally. This band of six brilliant musicians knows exactly where to go … to a well of emotion, to expressive vocal and instrumental performances, to increasingly sophisticated songwriting, and to inventive arrangements.

Country music fans remember Donna Ulisse from her days when she was signed to Atlantic Records in the early 1990’s where she released a critically acclaimed album Trouble at The Door with three singles and two videos. She was also a guest on many national television shows including Hee Haw, Nashville Now, Crook and Chase and NBC’s Hot Country Nights.

These days Donna Ulisse is a key figure in the bluegrass, folk and acoustic music scene as a singer and songwriter. Her single “It Could Have Been The Mandolin” from the album Hard Cry Moon topped the Bluegrass Unlimited chart at #1 for two months in a row in 2016 and the album topped the Roots Music Report chart at #1. She also won the award for 2016 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Songwriter of the Year. In 2017 she signed with Mountain Home Music Company, record label of some of bluegrass music’s brightest stars and released her eleventh career album “Breakin’ Easy”, produced by bluegrass legend Doyle Lawson.

She was a featured guest on RFD-TV’s Simply Bluegrass show hosted by Ricky Skaggs which featured the biggest names in the genre. She also did a month long stint in 2016 as host of Bluegrass Ridge, a video television show on Heartland TV Network which has several of her videos in regular rotation.

Her past albums have charted prominently in the Bluegrass Unlimited charts, The Folk DJ National chart, The Americana Music Charts and Billboard Bluegrass chart. while her 2012 Christmas album All The Way To Bethlehem was called “a masterpiece” by Kyle Cantrell, host of Bluegrass Junction on SiriusXM Satellite Radio. Edward Morris, writer for CMT.com dubs her “one of the most commanding voices in bluegrass music.”

Named the 2016 IBMA Songwriter of the Year, she has had her songs recorded by bluegrass artists Claire Lynch, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, The Bankesters, Doyle Lawson, Larry Stephenson Band and Volume Five to name a few, as well as a song on the 2014 Grammy winning album Streets of Baltimore by the Del McCoury Band. In 2017 she was the winner of IBMA Song of the Year for the song “I Am A Drifter” recorded by Volume Five.  She authored the book The Songwriter in Me: Snapshots of My Creative Process and is the founder of Lil House Songwriting Workshops offering aspiring songwriters the opportunity to write with her and other pro writers in order to improve their skills. She also keeps a busy touring schedule playing festivals and concert venues with her band.