CHARLOTTE, Mich. (WLNS) — Rain and dust didn’t cease followers from arriving early Friday morning to kick off the 53rd annual Charlotte Bluegrass Competition. Folks lined up effectively earlier than the gates opened to safe their spots.
“We were here, like, around 8:30. And then they told us that the gates opened at noon,” mentioned Brian Welch, one of many attendees, and one of many first individuals to get in line. “So, we simply got here and grabbed our seats and sat down and waited.”
Attendees ready in line. (WLNS)
The sounds of banjos, guitars, and fiddles crammed the air because the pageant kicked off, making a contagious vitality for these in attendance.
“You know, it’s kind of a jam, bluegrass, fast, fun, you know, good time music makes you want to dance,” mentioned Adam Gunst, one other attendee.
Dozens of artists play the pageant annually, however this 12 months, a Lansing-born and Grammy-winning artist drew in much more of a crowd.
“Billy was the best show that I’ve ever been to,” mentioned Chelsea Tannis. “The first one I went to was just electric, and then everybody was just so connected to the crowd.”
Billy Strings is a two-time Grammy-winning bluegrass musician from Michigan. He returned to his roots, leading to Thursday’s tickets being offered out.
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“I’ve seen him in larger venues, and it’s still great, but this is just a really special experience, and then it’s like home for him,” mentioned Tannis.
Strings is an artist that pageant attendees will go and see time and again. Tannis mentioned she has seen him 6 instances, Welch has seen him 8, and Gunst mentioned he booked him to carry out when he was simply 15 years previous.
“I booked Billy Strings when he was 15 at Wheatland Music Festival when it was a two-piece with another gentleman,” mentioned Gunst. “So, I’ve seen them several times throughout the years and have been aware of them.”
With Billy Strings being native to the Charlotte space, it isn’t unusual for the locals to run into him sooner or later in time.
“He’s just a wonderful artist and he’s such a wonderful and humble guy,” mentioned Welch. “I did meet him and his dad in Ionia, and he’s just so nice and he loves Michigan and, you know, gives back to Michigan.”
The bluegrass pageant just isn’t solely an area for individuals to get pleasure from music, but additionally an opportunity to benefit from the firm of others.
Attendees ready in line. (WLNS)
“It’s just a great dude,” mentioned Welch. “You come here, and you’ve got all these wonderful people that get along and all just mesh.”
Billy Strings is about to carry out at 8 pm on Thursday, and as individuals wait eagerly, they will get pleasure from performances from different musicians, workshops, and meals vehicles.
Tannis mentioned, “I’m really excited to see him in a smaller venue because I’ve seen him in larger venues, and it’s still great, but this is just a really special experience. It’s like home for him.”
The pageant continues by June twenty first, and tickets might be discovered on-line.
