Prince Edward Island

Winter Bluegrass Festival

January 20-22, 2023

Featuring:

The Seldom Scene, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run, Ray Legere & Acoustic Horizon, The Janet McGarry Band, Bluegrass Tradition, Shane Douthwright and the Virtuosos, Matt Lunn and Echo Mountain, Bluestreak, and the Stiff Family.

The Delta Prince Edward by Marriott – Charlottetown, PE

Experience the Warmth of Bluegrass Music

in the winter!

Hotel Main Floor Layout

Want to Jam?  –  We’ve got you covered!

Quiet hours start at 11pm in the hotel rooms.  But we have the entire lobby and the Waters Edge Resto Bar & Grill will be open until 2am for late Bluegrass Jammers!  Yes, It is a wide open and inviting area that can easily host 4 or more jams.  So bring your instrument and join in, there’ll be 4 designated jamming areas and a few more might pop up!.  There’ll be plenty of room for people to go from jam to jam, and plenty of seating too!  Its the magic of a warm summertime jam under someone’s canopy at our Bluegrass Festivals and you don’t have to worry about mosquitos!  We’ve got you covered!

WEEKEND PASSES AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS:

  This is a limited seating event, but there are still seats available

After January 15th, weekend passes and day passes will be available at the door only based on available seating.

Weekend Pass $90 all inclusive (Best Value!)

Friday Evening Pass:         $40 (hst incl. at the door only)

Satuday All Day Pass:       $60 (hst incl. at the door only)

Saturday Evening Only Pass:    $50 (hst incl. at the door only)

Sunday All Day Pass:        $20 (hst incl. at the door only)

Rooms may still available at the host Hotel:

Discount rates are no longer available, but rooms may still be available and can be reserved by calling the Delta Prince Edward by Marriott, 18 Queen Street, Charlottetown, PE. at 1 (888) 236-2427

 Hotel call center is for booking rooms only and may not have complete information about Winter Bluegrass Festival itself.

For more information on the festival contact 902-569-5600 or email: [email protected]

Big News!

Check out the Bluegrass Farmer’s Market

The PEI Bluegrass & Old Time Music Society is proud to feature over 15 vendors at the PEI Winter Bluegrass Festival.

Vendors will be offering a variety of locally made products and hand made crafts from the Island’s finest artisans including fine jewelry, artwork, woodwork, handmade soaps and body products, as well as fresh baked goods, coffees, muffins, pastries, pretzels, and more.  

The Society is proud of our Island’s fine artisans and this new market and festival combination will provide an unique experience for everyone to enjoy. 

Admission to the market portion of the festival is free!  Support Local!

For More Information Contact:

Festival Chair:  Serge Bernard: 902-569-5600 or [email protected]

Society President:  Shirley Jay: 902-218-8916 or [email protected]

Publicist & Media Relations:  Peter Richards: [email protected]

Social Media:  Cassandra MacKay, Inspire Social Studios: [email protected]

TENTATIVE PROGRAM – (Keep Checking for Updates):

Friday Afternoon January 20st, 2023

1:00-5:00PM Bluegrass Registration Desk Open

1:00-5:00PM Downtown Farmers’ Market Setup

Friday Evening January 20st, 2023

6:00-10:15PM Downtown Farmers’ Market Open

6:00-6:15PM  Main Stage: Welcome & Opening Remarks

6:15-7:15PM Main Stage: Bluestreak

7:15-8:15PM  Main Stage: The Janet McGarry Band

8:15-9:15PM Main Stage: Seth Mulder & Midnight Run

9:15-10:15PM Main Stage: Ray Legere & Acoustic Horizon

10:15PM-2:00AM Waters Edge Restaurant (Hotel Lobby): Late Night Jam!

Saturday Morning January 21st, 2023

7:00AM-Lunchtime  Bluegrass Brunch at the Water’s Edge 

Saturday Afternoon January 21st, 2023

1:00-4:45PM Downtown Farmers’ Market Open

1:00-1:45PM Main Stage: Matt Lunn & Echo Mountain

1:45-2:30PM Main Stage: The Stiff Family

2:30-3:15PM Main Stage: Bluegrass Tradition

3:15-4:00PM Main Stage: Seth Mulder & Midnight Run

4:00-4:45PM Main Stage: Shane Douthwright & the Virtuosos

Saturday Evening January 21st, 2023

6:15-10:30PM Downtown Farmers’ Market Open

6:15-6:30PM Main Stage: Special Announcements

6:30-7:30PM Main Stage: Ray Legere & Acoustic Horizon

7:30-8:30PM Main Stage: Seth Mulder & Midnight Run

8:30-9:00PM Main Stage: Intermission, Sponsors & Special Announcements

9:00-10:30PM Main Stage: The Seldom Scene

10:30PM-2:00AM Waters Edge Restaurant (Hotel Lobby): Late Night Jam!

Sunday January 22nd, 2023

7:00-10:30AM  Breakfast at the Water’s Edge 

10:00-4:00PM Downtown Farmers’ Market Open

10:00-11:00AM Main Stage: The Stiff Family

11:00-12:00PM Main Stage: The Janet McGarry Band

12:00-1:00PM Main Stage: Bluestreak

1:00-2:00PM Main Stage: Matt Lunn & Echo Mountain

2:00-3:00PM Main Stage: Bluegrass Tradition

3:00-4:00PM Main Stage: Shane Douthwright & the Virtuosos

4:00PM Main Stage: Closing Ceremonies

Water’s Edge Resto Bar & Grill Hours (Hotel Lobby):

Breakfast 7-10AM Friday and Sunday, Saturday Bluegrass Brunch 7AM-Lunchtime

Dinner 4:30-11:00PM, bar remains open until 2AM

Keep checking our website for program updates

Sound, lights and live stage video provided by K-Audio, Charlottetown, PE.

The Seldom Scene

IBMA Hall of Fame Inductees, The Seldom Scene is an American bluegrass band formed in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland. The Scene has been instrumental in starting the progressive bluegrass movement as their shows include bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even pop. What does it take for a bluegrass band to remain popular for more than four decades? For The Seldom Scene, it’s taken not only talented musicians, a signature sound, and a solid repertoire, but also a sheer sense of fun.

Seth Mulder & Midnight Run

Hailing from the Gateway of the Great Smoky Mountains, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run began its journey in February of 2015, at the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Made up of four like-minded musicians and graduates of college music programs, this group of friends and musicians created a band tied to the rich traditions of bluegrass music, yet one that offers a fresh approach to that “High Lonesome” sound. With each member drawing from a variety of influences, including bluegrass, country, and rock.

Now, with over 200 shows a year, they find themselves playing to audiences all over the world. Together, Seth Mulder, Colton Powers, Ben Watlington, and Max Etling create a powerhouse of music that you do not want to miss!

Ray Legere & Acoustic Horizon

Ray Legere is a legendary Canadian bluegrass fiddler, mandolinist, guitarist and band leader from Sackville, New Brunswick.

Ray has been named the Bluegrass Artist Of The Year at the East Coast Music Awards for several years and is recorded on the Honour Roll at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards as the best Fiddle Player, after winning that title from 1996 – 2000. He has been inducted into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2019, he was awarded the Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for High Achievement in the Arts by the New Brunswick Arts Board.

The Janet McGarry Band

For over twenty years Janet McGarry has continued to be a dominant presence in bluegrass music, both at home and abroad.  With thirteen albums to her credit, each have earned her awards, accolades, and much deserved respect from the music industry.  Her brand new release is entitled “Wearin’ the Blues”. Among her most significant career accolades, Janet is a “Daughter of Bluegrass”, which is a leading group of female bluegrass artists. Janet appears as a leading artist on the cd “Bluegrass Bouquet”, the group’s third collaboration on Blue Circle Records. Janet also appears on the Box Set of the “Daughters of Bluegrass” project called “Pickin’ Like a Girl”, and she also appeared on the compilation cd “Bluegrass Bands / Helping Hands © 2009”. Janet is also a five-time “Female Vocalist of the Year” at the Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Awards, the industry’s highest accolade in Eastern Canada.

Bluegrass Tradition

Bluegrass Tradition have been performing for over 13 years and are dedicated to the traditional bluegrass music they love. Trevor Boutilier and Karen DeCoste are the founding members and are proud to have Andrew Kent and Ryan Dillman joining them for the PEI Festival.

This band has won many awards including Band of the Year, Gospel Performance of the Year and Vocal Group of the year at the ECBMA. Trevor has his masters on mandolin and has won male vocalist. Karen has her masters in the Female Vocalist category and awards for Bass Player and Composer of the Year. Their cd’s have won Recording of the Year.

Andrew is a versatile fiddler and well- known performer, session musician and teacher. He has performed all over the world including playing for the Royal Family and Prime Ministers. He is also a long- time fiddler at the Calgary Stampede grandstand show.

Ryan has been playing music since he was eight years old. He has won many awards, including having his masters on the banjo. He led the successful band Shadow River for many years. Some of his influences are deeply rooted in traditional bluegrass music making him a perfect addition for this performance.

Sit back and relax as you are transported to a simpler time, being whisked away with memories of the past with familiar music played by Bluegrass Tradition.

Shane Douthwright & the Virtuosos

Shane Douthwright & the Virtuosos is a bluegrass band from the Moncton New Brunswick area.

Shane always surrounds himself with amazing virtuosos, including Ivan Rosenberg on Dobro, Richard Bourque on Mandolin & Banjo, Shelby Gold on Fiddle and Marcel Duplessis on bass.

Marcel Duplessis is a veteran Bluegrass singer and bass player that is respected by the regions best musicians. He is in high demand by artists in a variety of genres. He has recorded bass and vocals on numerous recordings and has toured with Bluegrass musicians within Canada and Europe. He has a positive energy on and off the stage and strives to make all the musicians he plays with sound better.

Ivan Rosenberg Since releasing his first solo album in 2001, Ivan has gained a dedicated following for his recordings of melodic, expressive acoustic music on dobro and clawhammer banjo. His original songs have appeared in the background of over 300 television programs and films including The Daily Show, Oprah, Call of the Wildman, History Detectives and the Hollywood blockbuster Kangaroo Jack. In recent years, he earned an IBMA Award for co-writing the 2009 Song of the Year and performed throughout North America with musicians such as Chris Coole and Chris Jones.

Shelby Gold is an internationally touring musician that has performed across the United States, Canada & Europe. Shelby has been hired as a fiddle player and vocalist for the likes of the late and great Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie, Springfield Exit, Linda Lay, Ryan Moore, Tom Lofgren and Chris Jones. Shelly has received multiple awards including All-Around Junior Entertainer for the State of Virginia for two consecutive years.

Richard Bourque is regarded as one of the finest bluegrass musicians in Atlantic Canada. His strong musicianship on mandolin, banjo and guitar keep him very busy both on stage and in the studio. Richard is also a very accomplished live sound engineer and regularly performs with artists in a variety of genres of music.

The band performs bluegrass covers and original songs written by Shane Douthwright and the band gives their own bluegrass twist on a variety of popular country songs. The powerful vocals and hard driving sound of Shane Douthwright and the Virtuosos could be described as traditional bluegrass with a third generation or 1990’s bluegrass influence. The Virtuosos have become veterans of bluegrass music through decades of big stage, small stage, and festival experience throughout Canada.

 

Matt Lunn & Echo Mountain

Matt Lunn & Echo Mountain is a relatively new band to our Maritime Bluegrass Music Scene and they are fast becoming fan favourites. The band consists of Matt Lunn, Brett Decker, Ryan Harvey & Dave Majcan, all being well seasoned artists with great personalities both on and off stage. The band performs a variety of contemporary and traditional bluegrass music and won a number of awards including Most Promising Band, Male Vocalist & Composer of the year.

Bluestreak

After a fifteen-year break, Bluestreak is back doing what it loves. For the last year or so they’ve been working on material and have fifteen new original songs that they are getting prepared for their third CD, which will be called “Rounding Third”.

Their first two CDs “First Impression” and “Second Nature” won PEI music awards bluegrass recording of the year in 2004 and 2005 and ECMA nominations each year.

Band members are David Blue, Roger Wightman, Larry Campbell, Peter Richards and Marcella Richard.

The Stiff Family

The Stiff Family has enjoyed living in PEI for 4 years, keeping busy with their hobby farm and playing Bluegrass music.

The family consists of Dave and Heather along with their children Aaron, Hannah, Elizabeth and Abigail. They play all acoustic instruments including: guitar, bass, banjo, dobro, mandolin and fiddle.

The Stiff family have four albums including the Power of Prayer, In This is Love, When I Wake up to Sleep No More, and their latest release a Christmas album entitled Still the Greatest Story Ever Told.

 

Route 12 Instrument Repairs & GDM Custom Leather

Route 12 Instrument Repair will display their luthier works and instrument setup techniques during the weekend.  Route 12 is located on Highway 12, just outside Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada. The owner operator, Matthew Lunn, provides quality services on a variety of stringed instruments. He specializes in acoustic guitars, but also offers services for electric guitars, banjos, mandolins, bass guitars, stand up bass, violins, fiddles, ukuleles, etc.

Matt developed his passion for repairing and building from his mentor and friend, Greg Pelkey, over 10 years ago, and today, strives to honour his memory by treating each instrument with care and respect. As a guitar builder, he has a true appreciation for how instruments should be treated and repaired. As a musician, Matt has learned the importance of an instrument that is working to it’s full potential, to get the sound and playability that is expected.

GDM Custom Leather is Gary Giles, a fine leather artisan who builds custom guitar leather straps and unique leather accessories.  Gary will have his display alongside Route 12 and is looking forward to the festival and custom designing unique leather articles for our patrons throughout the weekend.