Pickin in the Panhandle Announces Lineup

Six groups in touch with their bluegrass roots.

Martinsburg, West Virginia (Vocus) July 18, 2007 --- Bluegrass is a form of uniquely American music, in which each instrument takes a turn playing the melody and improvising around it. Pickin and playin on the porch has been a tradition in the mountains of West Virginia for generations. Pickin in the Panhandle http://www.panhandlepickin.com/, a BBQ and bluegrass festival, hopes to show these mountain roots, so youll understand some of what makes West Virginia wild and wonderful.

The lineup for this inaugural festival includes:

•    Cadillac Sky http://www.cadillacsky.net/ -- Touring from Florida to Washington and making many stops in between, Cadillac Sky is flying high on the wings of their album Blind Man Walking," which was released earlier this year. They are signed with Skaggs Family Records and were showcased at the International Bluegrass Music Associations annual World of Bluegrass last year.

•    Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain http://www.carriehasslerandhardrain.com/ -- Their debut album has been praised as one of the best and Carrie Hassler has been described as following in the footsteps of greats like Emmy Lou Harris and Alison Krauss. The group has performed in various venues across the country.

•    The Half Bad Bluegrass Band http://www.halfbadbluegrass.com/ -- Describing their show as a high energy, foot stomping, old school bluegrass good time," this group has stayed true to old school bluegrass music. Formed in 2005, the Half Bad Bluegrass Band has performed at festivals and events all across the great state of West Virginia.

•    Lonesome Highway - Formed in 1996, the group has taken first place honors in numerous competitions in Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia, and finished fifth during their first appearance at the SPBGMA International Band competition in 2002. They have played with great professional musicians such as Lonesome River Band, Kathy Mattea, and The Lewis Family. Lonesome Highway has released two albums since 1999.

•    The Rolling Coyotes -- The toe-tapping style of this trio is a unique blend of folk, blues, bluegrass, traditional and contemporary. The Rolling Coyotes are known for their original and playful material.

•    The Vaughn Family -- Traditional Bluegrass from the Mountains of Tucker County, West Virginia showcases some of the finest talent the Mountain State has to offer.

Pickin in the Panhandle http://www.panhandlepickin.com/, an event the whole family will enjoy, will be held on Saturday, September 8 and is being sponsored by the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention and Visitors Bureau http://www.travelwv.com/. For more information about the festival, visit the official website at www.panhandlepickin.com. Bring your banjo, your grill, or just bring yourself and make Pickin in the Panhandle an event to remember.

Media Contacts:

Sandy Sponaugle 304-876-8321

Andrea Ball 304 264-8801

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