Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival

Fri.-Sun., Sept. 3-5, $30-$85, Salem County Fairgrounds, Route 40, Woodstown, N.J., 302-321-6466, delawarevalleybluegrass.org.

by Mary Armstrong

[ roots/bluegrass ]

Lest you get overwhelmed, let's take this day by day: In addition to pure bluegrass from legends like Dan Paisley, Friday offers a treat for kids: Riders in the Sky. Yes, from the Cartoon Network. They're actually exceptional musicians and comedians, delighting adults as much as kids. Later, see Cherryholmes, who went from inexperienced bluegrass fans to headlining family band in very few years. Saturday: Several of Kathy Mattea's biggest country hits were written by her thoroughly bluegrass fellow West Virginian Tim O'Brien, so she's always had that leaning. Now Mattea's voice roars over the fiddle and the banjo, frequently focusing on the biggest topic of her home state — coal. There is no more passionate, soulful voice in bluegrass today. Even if Sunday is your only free day, it's worth the trip. The Seldom Scene, despite many lineup changes, remains true to its progressive bluegrass charter. Michael Cleveland closes the festival with the best traditional Appalachian style fiddling ever.