Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time is the featured headliner for the upcoming 21st Annual Cousin Jake Bluegrass Festival. Mr. Cordle has written songs for Ricky Skaggs, Allison Krauss, Garth Brooks, and scores of other bluegrass and country music performers. The festival will take place on Saturday, March 7 at the Gem Theater in Downtown Etowah. Lonesome Standard Time will be joined at the festival by Kenny and Amanda Smith, Jemini Venture, Just Us, and Valley Grass.
The Etowah Arts Commission is expanding this year’s festival to combine two events into one bluegrass music filled weekend to celebrate Jake Tullock’s music and to also honor John Studdard. The celebration of bluegrass music will kick off with the John Studdard Memorial Gospel Concert on Friday Night, March 6, followed by a full day of bluegrass music to celebrate Cousin Jake Tullock on Saturday, March 7. The Studdard Concert will take place at the Gem Theater at 7 p.m. on March 6 and will feature Just Us and Journey Home. The following day the Cousin Jake Bluegrass Festival will get underway at noon, with 5 bands performing throughout the day until 10 p.m.
Ticket prices for the Friday night Studdard concert are $12. Cousin Jake all-day tickets are $18. EAC offers a combination ticket for both events for the price of $25. Both concerts will take place at the Historic Gem Theater in Downtown Etowah, but the Saturday event will spill across the street to the Etowah Depot where musicians are invited to come and jam with other musicians all day. Boy Scout Troop 74 will be on hand at the Depot to sell smoked bar-b-cue and trimmings.
Jake Tullock was an Etowah native who played with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs for 20 years. John Studdard was an accomplished local bluegrass musician who spearheaded the first “Cousin Jake Bluegrass Festival.” The EAC is celebrating both artists in a weekend filled with bluegrass music.
Cindy Studdard, EAC president, said, “We are excited to bring nationally known and local favorite bands to town to celebrate bluegrass music traditions and honor Jake and John. In addition to the concerts at the Gem, many musicians enjoy being part of the jam sessions that take place at the Depot.”
The idea to create a festival to honor Jake Tullock took root over 20 years ago when Mr. Studdard worked with the EAC and local volunteers to create a festival that is now in its 21st year. Mr. Tullock grew up in Etowah making music with his family. He played on Mid-Day Merry Go Round and other iconic radio shows in East Tennessee, but landed with Flatt and Scruggs when they invited him to join the band as the bass player. He also sang and became the band comic. After his retirement he returned to Etowah where he worked as a police dispatcher. He shared his artistry and love of music by nurturing fledgling musicians and he organized the Starr Mountain Jamboree.
Mr. Studdard was also an accomplished bluegrass musician. He started the band Hiwassee Ridge in the late 1980’s. The popular bluegrass band played at regional events like Riverbend and the World’s Fair in Knoxville. The band remained active until his death.
Linda Caldwell, interim director for EAC, said, “We are so proud of Jake and John and the contributions they made to bluegrass music and we hope folks will come and celebrate with us.”
Tickets will be available at the Gem Theater Box Office shortly before each concert. Advance tickets can be purchased by calling the EAC at 423-263-7608.