Bluegrassin' In Galax Virginia with Blue Highway

Last Saturday night, my friend Sandy Hanshew and myself took a trip from Rural Retreat Virginia to Galax Virginia to see one of the top bluegrass groups in the country.Blue Highway was formed 17 years ago by Tim Stafford from Kingsport, TN. Today they are comprised of the same members from 17 years ago. The members are: Jason Burleson(Vocals, Banjo), Shawn Lane(Vocals, Mandolin, Fiddle, Guitar),Wayne Taylor(Vocals, Bass), Tim Stafford(Guitar and vocals), and Rob Ikes(dobro and vocals).

The show was held at the Fairview Ruritan Club outside of Galax. Tickets were 20 dollars a person which was the most I've ever paid for a single performance. But it was worth every penny. The show started off with a large group of young pickers from the Galax Appalachian Junior Musicians Association. They played 3 songs and showed off their new experiences in bluegrass. Next was an all girl group called Loose Strings. They started out playing the Doobie Brothers song "Listen to the Music". Their songs were all very up tempo and good toe tappers. Blue Highway did two sets and 2 encore songs. Some of the highlights were Rob Ikes solo dobro performance of "The Old Rugged Cross" and Tim Stafford's Ralph Stanley impressions. They started the set off with "Marbletown".


Here are two videos from the show. The first is "Life Of a Traveling Man". and the second is"I'd Rather Be a Lonesome Pine" 

Blue Highway

Jason Burleson and Shawn Lane

Tim Stafford and Rob Ikes

Jason,Shawn, and Wayne Taylor

Acapella

Blue Highway

Blue Highway

Loose Strings