Music in the Grove to host Dual County, Chestnut Ridge Aug. 20 & 21
St. John Center Lutheran Church continues their Music in the Grove programs on Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m.
Young bluegrass musicians Dual County will be playing on Saturday evening. These five talented musicians, representing both Berks and Lancaster Counties, have combined to share their passion for bluegrass music. Members include Kenneth Barley on banjo (Millersville), William Gow on stand up bass (Kutztown), Colton Gotwals on fiddle (Oley), Tyler Hertzog on guitar (Adamstown) and Conlan Kerschner on banjo (Adamstown).
The band members assembled as many bands do, quite by chance. Conlan Kerschner and Kenneth Barley first met as competitors at the 2013 PA Farm Show’s GOT TALENT competition, both performing in the instrumental category, playing banjo. As dueling banjoists, they met again at the 2014 PA Farm Show competition and dueled once more.
Having been introduced to fiddle player Colton Gotwals, through music instructor Ken Gehret, the three decided that they would meet in Kerschner’s home later in January 2014 to “jam.” They soon added one of Kerschner’s classmates, Tyler Hertzog, to the jam mix. Seeing the potential and enthusiasm for bluegrass jamming, Kerschner’s mother, Wendy, began seeking opportunities for both a jamming location and funding to grow the youth jam group. The jams began in March 2014. This is where the group met bass player William Gow, who is the fifth member of the group.
In 2015, the band, then known as The Mountain Folk Youth Bluegrass JAM Band, took home top honors at the PA Farm Show, winning first place in the GOT TALENT competition with their rendition of the famous Stanley Brother’s bluegrass song “Clinch Mountain Backstep.” The band also won first place in the 2016 PA Farm Show.
On Sunday evening, Aug. 21, join Chestnut Ridge, a bluegrass band formed about nine years ago. All members perform with other groups; however, Chestnut Ridge has a different sound than the other groups. They have expanded their selections to include more old country, some pop and, of course, bluegrass and gospel music. They always have a great time and are constantly musically challenged by one another.
Chestnut Ridge members are Roger Eberlin on mandolin, lead and harmony vocals; Ray Horst on guitar, lead and harmony vocals; Ron McVey, on fiddle; John Hilton, on banjo; and Jim Thompson on the uprite bass.
Come on out to the grove to help us make both of these talented bands welcome on Aug. 20 and 21. St. John Center Lutheran Church is located at 599 Reading Road (Route 625) in East Earl, a few miles south of Bowmansville.
Sandwiches and refreshments to benefit the youth will be available through the evening beginning at 5 p.m. A free will offering will be received both nights for the bands.
Bring lawn chairs, and in case of inclement weather, the program will be indoors. Additional parking is available on the vacant lot next to the cemetery.