For immediate release

Contact Marty Scarbrough , KASU Program Director

office: 870-972-2367

A photograph of the band is attached to this email

Additional information and photographs are available at http://www.monroecrossing.com/

Monroe Crossing will perform a concert of bluegrass music on Monday, January 28, at 7 PM at Atkins Celebration Hall, 101 South Pruett Street , in downtown Paragould , Arkansas . The concert is part of the Bluegrass Monday concert series presented by KASU 91.9 FM. Admission is free, but KASU will literally “pass the hat” to collect money to pay the group.

Named in honor of the creator of bluegrass music, Bill Monroe, the band Monroe Crossing plays traditional bluegrass music, Gospel songs, original melodies and their own original treatments of songs that weren’t originally bluegrass tunes. The band performs over 125 concerts each year across the country, and the group has recorded nine CDs.

Based in Minnesota , Monroe Crossing is the only bluegrass band ever to be named “Artist of the Year” (2004) by the Minnesota Music Academy . The group has also been inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and has received numerous awards from the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association. In 2007, the band received the prestigious invitation to appear at the showcase concert at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual convention.

Art Blackburn plays guitar and sings for Monroe Crossing. Originally from Saint Louis , he has played bluegrass music for over 30 years.

Lisa Fugile plays fiddle and sings. She was raised in Nigeria , Africa , and she first discovered bluegrass music through a 78 RPM record by Bill Monroe.

The newest band member is banjo player Benji Fleming. He also has a solo CD available, and he has appeared at the “Master’s Workshop” at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual convention.

Matt Thompson of Mankato , Minnesota , plays mandolin and serves as emcee for the band during their concerts. Mark Anderson plays bass in the group, having come to bluegrass from a background of playing punk rock music.

In addition to the concert by Monroe Crossing at 7 PM, area bluegrass musicians are invited to come to Atkins Celebration Hall beginning at 5 PM for an open jam session. Musicians are asked to bring only acoustic instruments and to play only bluegrass music. The jam sessions will end promptly at 6:45 PM prior to the beginning of the concert.

Also, Simply Delicious Catering will provide a country-style buffet meal beginning at 5 PM for a cost of $10 including tax and a drink. Seating at the venue will around tables or in auditorium-style seating.

Bluegrass Monday concerts are held on the fourth Monday night of each month. These concerts are presented with support from Backbeat Music, the Posey Peddler, the Northeast Arkansas Bluegrass Association and KASU.

KASU, 91.9 FM, is the 100,000 watt public broadcasting service of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro . For more information, contact KASU Program Director Marty Scarbrough at mscarbro@astate.edu or 870-972-2367.

Marty Scarbrough

KASU Program Director

P.O. Box 2160

State University, AR 72467