FarmStrong, of Sequim, is scheduled to perform at the Veterans Memorial Museum on SAturday, April 14.
Next Saturday the typically somber halls of the Veteran’s Memorial Museum in Chehalis will come alive with the plucky sounds of live bluegrass.
The semi-regular concert series will feature FarmStrong, a band from Sequim. FarmStrong describes its sound as “beyond bluegrass,” while remaining rooted in the traditional mountain sound. The band has made a name for themselves by demonstrating a willingness to pick both traditional song, and to branch out into contemporary covers of folk legends like John Prine, Merle Haggard, Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley.
“We put these shows on at the Veterans halls, we don’t make nothing on them, but we put them and give everybody a good price and it’s a real good time,” said General Cothren, president of the Washington Bluegrass Association.
The concert will be the third at the Veterans Memorial Museum this season. The last concert at the museum was held in February. That show, with Annie Staninec and Whiskey Deaf, sold out in advance. It was the fifth sold out WBA show in seven tries in Chehalis since 2015.
Cothren says the WBA aims to draw around 200 concert-goers each time around in order to cover costs and keep the atmosphere lively.
“It seems like it’s a good crowd pleaser if you can get some good musicians in the area,” said Cothren.
FarmStrong is composed of Jim Faddis on guitar and vocals, Cort Armstrong on guitar, Rick Meade on Dobro and banjo, and John Pyles on bass. A press release from the band noted that:
“FarmStrong lights up the stage with exquisite harmony signing and seasoned instrumentation. The heart of the band draws on inspiration from the last century of country, blues and bluegrass music from the 1920’s through the 50’s, as well as folk, rock, gospel and soul music of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and beyond.”
On June 14 the series will strike up again when The Kody Norris Show comes to town straight from the land of Dixie.
“We’ve got one more show coming up in June too, it’s a band coming out here from Tennessee. They’re a national band,” said Cothren.
Tickets to next Saturday's FarmStrong concert cost $10 each at the door or in advance. The show is set to begin at 7 p.m. Cothren noted that the Kody Norris show in June will mark the first appearance by a nationally recognized band at the museum.
He said that although the band fee will be more expensive the cost of tickets will not change.
The Veterans Memorial Museum is located at 100 SW Veterans Way in Chehalis. For additional information or details about will-call tickets contact WBA president, General Cothren, at (360) 785-3478.
