Having brought the house down at their first three Otter Opry performances, the California Bluegrass Reunion will be back on Tuesday, November 18th at the United Methodist Church to do it again – and it just gets better every time! This star-studded band is highlighted by the awesome fiddling of Chad Manning and features an abundance of original instrumentals from mandolinist John Reischman and banjo player Bill Evans. Anchoring the rhythm section is Jim Nunally on guitar and vocals, Mike Witcher on Dobro, and Sharon Gilchrist on bass. The show will open with a four-song set by Nell & Jim, featuring Jim Nunally on vocals, guitar and banjo, with Nell Robinson on vocals and miniflute; this amazing duo delivers tight harmonies and original genre-bending music that will get the evening off to a sizzling start.
Back to California Bluegrass Reunion: Grammy Award-winning John Reischman is a foundational mandolinist, composer, bandleader and musical educator in bluegrass and North American roots and folk music. Bill Evans – winner of the 2022 Steve Martin “Excellence in Banjo” Award – occupies a unique niche in the music world, celebrated for his varied bluegrass banjo styles as well as his innovative original compositions. Jim Nunally is a musician, composer, record producer and teacher – all in addition to being one of the finest guitar players in the world. Chad Manning is a bluegrass, old-time and swing fiddler who has performed with more famous bands than you can count. Sharon Gilchrist has long made her home in the American acoustic music scene, performing on concert and festival stages all over North America. Growing up the youngest of five in a musical and artistic family in the suburbs of Los Angeles, Mike Witcher found his voice playing the Dobro at the age of 14.
These musicians have made music in various combinations for decades, but this all-star performance – billed as a “Special Tribute to California Songwriters and Tunesmiths,” with songs from Tony Rice, Herb Pedersen, Kathy Kallick, Laurie Lewis, Kate Wolf, David Grisman and more – is an incredible opportunity to see and hear them together. The event includes a delicious Salisbury steak dinner at 5:30pm ($15 before November 15th, $20 at the door). Online sales will end at 11am the day of the performance.
7pm. Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey. $35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free); $15-20/pre-show dinner. www.otteropry.org