Free State Music Festival

Air date: Feb. 25, 2004

Description: Who needs hollers and cricks when you can have heated swimming pools and discount room rates? The Free State Music Festival serves up bluegrass Holidome-style, with posh conference rooms and professional-grade PA systems. It might not be how Bill Monroe envisioned it when he invented the genre six decades ago, but it's the way of the world for his son James, who has been traveling the country with The Midnight Ramblers for the better part of 30 years after leaving his father's "Bluegrass Boys" to pursue a solo career. Besides the opportunity to see a living link to history, this festival offers a collection of the best local talent, including the high-energy show of The Wilders. If you couldn't make it to Winfield this year, here's the next best thing. Featuring James Monroe and the Midnight Ramblers. Two days of traditional Bluegrass, Old Time Country and other acoustic music styles presented in an indoor setting. The Festival is expected to draw fans of roots music to the Lawrence Holidome. The event also features crafts and music vendors and non-stop jamming by local and area musicians. Clip 1 -- Spontaneous Combustion Clip 2 -- Salty Dog Clip 3 -- Faris Family / James Monroe Clip 4 -- Wilders Clip 5 -- Spontaneous Combustion

Related band pages: The Prairie Acre The Wilders